Harry Potter TV series: More actors revealed for the new show

Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint played Hermione, Harry and Ron in the original Harry Potter films - but who will play them in the new series?

We have spoken a lot about the new Harry Potter TV series that was announced back in 2023.

Since then, excitement for the show has been building, and now the first actors have officially been confirmed.

The new show is due to start filming this summer, with the first series potentially airing as early as 2026 on the streaming service HBO Max.

The actors playing Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have not yet been announced, but more than 30,000 children turned up to auditions to try out for the characters last year.

But some well known characters have now been cast.

Take a look below to find out who'll be playing who - and don't forget to let us know what you think of the casting in the comments!

Who's in the new Harry Potter TV series?

Actor John Lithgow (left) will play Professor Dumbledore, who was played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the original movies

Dumbledore - John Lithgow

Actor John Lithgow, who played Lord Farquaad in Shrek, has confirmed he will be playing Dumbledore in the series.

John Lithgow is a well-known actor who has worked both on stage and on screen.

He has received multiple awards for his work including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and two Tony Awards.

The actor, who is 79, has said that the decision to accept the role wasn't an easy one because of how long the commitment would be at this stage of his career.

He said: "Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call... and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid.

"But I'm very excited. 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."

Paapa Essiedu (left) will play Hogwarts teacher Severus Snape, who was played by actor Alan Rickman (right) in the original films.

Severus Snape - Paapa Essiedu

Paapa Essiedu will play Hogwarts' mysterious and moody Potions teacher Severus Snape.

Paapa became interested in acting at school and in 2012 he joined the famous Royal Shakespeare Company, and began acting in lots of different plays.

Whilst there he made history in 2016 when he became the first Black actor to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He then moved into TV and movie acting, and has been nominated for Best Actor awards for his work.

In an interview Paapa revealed that he likes to make playlists of songs specific to the character he is playing, so I wonder what songs he might pick for Snape?

Professor McGonagall was played by Dame Maggie Smith (left) in the original films, and will be played by Janet McTeer (right) in the new series

Professor McGonagall - Janet McTeer

Janet McTeer has been cast as Professor McGonagall in the new series.

You might recognise her as the voice of the narrator in the Maleficent movie.

She has received lots of awards including a Tony Award, an Olivier Award, a Golden Globe Award and nominations for two Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

In 2008 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to drama.

Rubeus Hagrid - Nick Frost

Actor Nick Frost (left) will step into the big shoes of Hagrid the groundskeeper, who was played by Robbie Coltrane (right) in the original films

Nick Frost will play the friendly half-giant and Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid.

The comedian and actor has starred in lots of TV shows and movies over the years, but most recently he voiced SM-33 in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

He will also play Gueulfor AKA Gobber the Belch in the new live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie.

Argus Filch - Paul Whitehouse

Actor Paul Whitehouse (left) will be stepping into the role of Argus Filch, who was originally played by David Bradley (right).

Paul Whitehouse will play the grumpy caretaker Argus Filch.

Paul is an award-winning actor and comedian and has starred in many TV series and movies over the years.

You might recognise him as the March Hare in the new live-action Alice in Wonderland movies.

He's actually also already appeared in the Harry Potter films, as Sir Cadogan – one of the living portraits in Hogwarts – in The Prisoner of Azkaban movie.

Professor Quirrell - Luke Thallon

Professor Quirrell was played by Ian Hart (left) in the original movies, and will be played by Luke Thallon (right) in the new series

Luke Thallon will play the mysterious professor Quirinus Quirrell.

He grew up in Surrey and his parents were both professional volleyball players.

Before becoming an actor, he originally wanted to be a dentist.

Luke has performed in many theatre productions, and most recently played the main character in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet.

What else do we know about the series?

The original Harry Potter films were also made at Warner Bros. studios in Hertfordshire, near London

The show is due to begin filming this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, with the first series airing potentially as early as next year.

According to HBO, the series will be a "faithful adaptation" of the books written by JK Rowling, who will be an executive producer for the series.

The show will reportedly go into more detail than the eight movies which were released between 2001 and 2011.

HBO Max said the series will be: "Full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.

"Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally."