Harry Potter TV show cast revealed as Fast Show and Spaced actors join all star line up
THE brand-new Harry Potter TV series has officially unveiled its magical line-up, with stars from The Fast Show and Spaced swapping comedy for the corridors of Hogwarts.
Fans were left stunned as some familiar faces from cult British telly joined the rebooted cast in what’s shaping up to be an all-star take on the beloved wizarding world.
The brand-new Harry Potter TV series promises to be the most spellbinding yet – as it sticks closely to the original books with every magical detail fans have loved for more than 25 years.
With a fresh-faced cast ready to charm a whole new generation, the show will dive deep into the wizarding world like never before – with each season unpacking the Hogwarts drama chapter by chapter.
Streaming exclusively on Max, the series will launch globally – including the UK, Germany, Italy and Turkey – while the original film favourites will still be available to binge for Potterheads old and new.
HBO Original series has cast six-time Emmy, two-time Tony Award, Olivier winner, and BAFTA and Oscar nominee John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore.
John has provided many voiceovers for film, notably the voice of villain Lord Farquaad in Shrek (2001), Yoda in the NPR adaptations of Star Wars episodes, and the narrations for the IMAX film Special Effects and for a sex education film, Life’s Greatest Miracle (2002).
Tony Award, Golden Globe, and Olivier winner, and Oscar and Emmy nominee Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall.
Janet is best known for her stage and screen performances, particularly her portrayal of Nora in A Doll’s House which earned her a Tony Award and an Olivier Award.
She is also recognised for her Academy Award nominations for Tumbleweeds (1999) and Albert Nobbs (2011).
Janet has also received accolades for her work in television series like The White Queen and Ozark.
Emmy, Olivier, and BAFTA nominee Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape.
Paapa’s breakout role was in the Emmy and Bafta-nominated drama I May Destroy You (2020) and his acclaimed performance as Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He is also recognised for his work in Gangs of London and other TV series like Black Mirror and The Lazarus Project.
And BIFA nominee Nick Frost will also be a series regular playing Rubeus Hagrid.
Nick is an English actor, screenwriter and comedian who has appeared in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy of films, consisting of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, and the television comedy Spaced.
How to spot a rare Harry Potter book
AS JK Rowling’s popularity has rocketed, so has the value of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
If you think you might have one, then first look to see if Bloomsbury is listed as the publisher on the title page at the bottom.
The copy should be a first edition – which will be noted within the first few pages.
The latest date listed in the copyright information must by 1997.
It should be credited to “Joanne Rowling” and not “J.K Rowling” and carry a print line that reads ” 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1″ on the copyright page.
There is a mistake on page 53 where “1 wand” appears twice in the list of school supplies Harry receives from Hogwarts, which was corrected in later print runs.
For the other titles in the Harry Potter series, it is only the first hardback editions with the dust jacket that have any collectable value.
The upcoming Harry Potter TV series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner.
She announced the guest and recurring cast includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and five-time BAFTA winner Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Luke is known for Present Laughter (2019) and A Room with a View (2023).
While Welsh actor and comedian Paul was one of the main stars of the BBC sketch comedy series The Fast Show.
He has also starred with Harry Enfield in the shows Harry & Paul and Harry Enfield & Chums.
Francesca said: “We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch.”
Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television.
He said: “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
J.K. Rowling previously said in a press release: “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me.
“I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.”