HBO’s Harry Potter Series Reveals Magical First Cast: John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Snape

From Oscar nominees to Shakespearean talents, HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot unveils its first wave of casting with John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost set to lead the Hogwarts faculty.

Los Angeles | April 14, 2025 –
The magic is officially underway! HBO has unveiled the first major casting announcements for its much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series—and the wizarding world is buzzing with excitement.

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John Lithgow, the two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy-winning actor, will don the iconic robes of Professor Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts’ wise and whimsical headmaster. Known for his dynamic work in The Crown, Dexter, and 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow revealed he’s already feeling the Pottermania. “Two weeks ago, people started stopping me in airports,” he shared on the Smartless podcast. “The news hadn’t even been confirmed.”

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Joining him is British actress Janet McTeer, cast as Professor Minerva McGonagall. Known for her roles in Ozark, The Menu, and Albert Nobbs, McTeer brings gravitas and authority to the beloved Transfiguration professor, originally played by Dame Maggie Smith.

Another standout casting is Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, taking on the complex role once immortalized by Alan Rickman. Essiedu is an acclaimed Shakespearean actor, best known for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project.

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Nick Frost, the comedic powerhouse from Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, steps into the giant shoes of Rubeus Hagrid, the loveable gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor. His blend of heart and humor is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the fan-favorite role.

Also announced:

• Luke Thallon will play the jittery Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell.
• Paul Whitehouse, the seasoned British comedian, will portray the grumpy Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch.

Notably absent from this first casting reveal are the series’ leads—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger—whose casting remains tightly under wraps.

The HBO reboot, first announced in 2023, is set to be a faithful, season-by-season adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, aiming to delve into plotlines and characters that the original films couldn’t fully explore.

While the show is expected to premiere in 2026, excitement is already sky-high among fans eager to return to Hogwarts in an all-new, episodic form.

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