Harry Potter TV Series Cast: Who’s Playing Who on HBO (2025)

Several famous faces will be heading to Hogwarts in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show.Nearly two years after the series was first announced, John Lithgow confirmed the rumor that he would portray Albus Dumbledore in the small-screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series. “It was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,” he shared in a February 2025 interview with Screen Rant. “But I’m very excited.”Lithgow added, “Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.”HBO and Max officially announced Lithgow’s casting in April 2025 along with more actors filling the roles of notable Hogwarts professors. “Wands at the ready, we welcome our staff to Hogwarts,” the streamer wrote alongside the social media casting reveal, which included Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, among others.It is unknown which young actors will take on the roles of the story’s main trio — Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley — who were played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, respectively, in the eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011. An open casting call to find child actors across the U.K. and Ireland was put out in September 2024.Scroll down to see which actors will take on some of Harry Potter’s most famous characters in the upcoming TV adaptation:

Lithgow will be the third actor to take on the role of the Hogwarts headmaster. Richard Harris famously portrayed Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films — 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — before his death at age 72 in 2002.

Michael Gambon made his Dumbledore debut in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and played the role through the remainder of the film series. He died at age 82 in 2023.

McTeer will sharpen up on her Scottish accent to play Hogwarts’ deputy headmistress in the Harry Potter TV series. She follows in the footsteps of the late Maggie Smith, who played the stern but sweet witch in all eight Harry Potter films.

While the late Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape marked one of the most memorable roles of his career, Essiedu will get the chance to put his own stamp on the complex character in the Harry Potter show.

Frost’s ability to blend comedy with more dramatic moments makes him the perfect successor to OG Hagrid actor Robbie Coltrane, who died at age 72 in 2022.

Well-known for his theater work, Thallon is sure to put his acting talents on display as the timid and mysterious Professor Quirrell in the show’s debut season. Ian Hart previously played the secretive character in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

The Welsh actor and comedian will succeed David Bradley as Hogwary’s not-so-nice caretaker, Argus Filch. No word on which lucky cat will play his equally creepy companion, Mrs. Norris.

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