Look at it! Isn’t it amazing? I’m already loving the dark, grittiness that has HBO written all over it.

Updated 08.18.2025

In one photo, Hagrid's stuffing looks perfect. In the other, he looks a little sick. But that's ok! I am loving how these look. I'm intrigued by the mocap dots on Hagrid's face....maybe that means he'll be a little puffier with post? What do you guys think?

Updated 07.19.2025

More pictures continue to be released from the set of Harry Potter. Check out Nick Frost as the beloved Hagrid. EEK! He looks quite good and I'm excited to hear his gruffy voice.

Original Article

Now, we’ve heard about it (maybe we’re tired of hearing about it), but I wanted to break down the Harry Potter series cast announcements because we recently got a handful more! I’m going to go individually, in no particular order, explaining where we may know these actors/actresses from and my take on the casting. It may seem daunting, but it will be short and sweet. 

Let’s break down the top 3 first. Everyone has seen this photo floating around:

That is, from left to right, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Where do we know them? We don’t. This is each of their first significant projects.

My take: They are beautiful, and I can’t wait to see what they do with these actors on screen. I just hope we’re not seeing the innocent twinkle in their eye for the last time before being destroyed by Hollywood. 

The Supporting Characters:

Top Row: 

• Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley; known for the IT Crowd (Jen Barber), Doc Martin (Pauline Lamb), & Humans (Laura Hawkins)

• Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy; Major Debut!

• Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy; known for Lovesick (Dylan), Brotherhood (Toby), Ripley (Dickie Greenleaf), & his band ‘Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Witt’

Second Row:

• Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan; not known for anything as of yet

• Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil; not known for anything as of yet

• Sienne Moosah as Lavendar Brown; not known for anything as of yet

Third Row:

• Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley; known for Moominvalley (voice of Little My), The Morning Show (Claire Conway), & M.I. High (Daisy Miller)

• Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley; known for Big School (Mr. Martin), Flowers (Donald/ Egbert), & as the narrator of The Teletubbies 

• Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge; known for Dalgliesh (DCI Adam Dalgliesh), The Crown (Tony Blair), & Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned (Simon Foster)

My Take: I don’t have a lot of opinions on these folks as I’m not super familiar with them. I love the way the casting is moving towards younger versions of these characters than the movies, which gives room for both. I’m excited to see how they portray these fan favorites!

Next up are the original announcements we should all know by now:

Top Row:

• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore; known for so many things, including 3^rd Rock from the Sun (Dr. Dick Solomon), The Crown (Winston Churchill), and the voice of Lord Farquad in Shrek

My Take: This is definitely an interesting choice, but I’m looking forward to seeing his version. We know he can knock it out of the park as a grumpy, British old man. I just want to see if he has the eloquent yet powerful, calm aura of Dumbledore.

• Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall; known for Ozark (Helen Pierce), Kaos (Hera), &  Jessica Jones (Alisa Jones)

My Take: She certainly looks the part, and we know she can be mysterious and stern. I hope she’s able to bring more of the ‘school teacher’ aspect to the character instead of just an important supporting character. We need to understand her role in shaping Harry, but she seems like she’ll be able to nurture.

• Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape; known for The Lazarus Project (George Addo), Gangs of London (Alexander Dumani), & I May Destroy You (Kwame)

My Take: The largest controversy. Why? Because racism. Before you get all up in arms at me, understand how well I know these stories. Sallow skin, pale, greasy…..I assure you this does not scream white. Pale can be shown on dark skin. Sallow skin, greasy, all possible. Is he menacing? Is he brooding? Is he tackling yet another systemic breakdown we are now known for? He sure is, and I can’t wait to see it.

Bottom Row:

• Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid; known for Shawn of the Dead (Ed), Skeleton Crew (SM 33), & Into the Badlands (Bajie)

My Take: Yes. All the yes. That picture above is not a familiar-looking photo, but you know this guy. He will have the exact amount of charm, warmth, and humor we know and love Hagrid for.

• Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell, known for Present Laughter (Roland Maule) & A Room with a View Podcast

My Take: He has the look, the awkwardness, and the goofiness. Can he pull off a dark side? I’m excited to see.

• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch; known for The Fast Show (Various Roles), Help (Various roles), and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Sir Cadogan)

My Take: Yes, that’s right, this gentleman has already been part of some Harry Potter chaos as Sir Cadogan in the 3^rd movie! The cowardly knight that runs from Sirius Black is here! I’m looking forward to seeing him in full makeup as Mr. Filch. 

The latest announcements:

Top Left:

•  Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom; Major Debut!

Top Right:

• Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley; Major Debut!

Bottom Left:

• Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch; known for Such Brave Girls (Deb), A Discovery of Witches (Gillian Chamberlain), & Sherlock (Molly Hooper)

My Take: She looks awesome, and this makes me excited that we may be getting more of this character (PLEASE!)

Bottom Right:

• Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander; known for Game of Thrones (Qyburn), Andor (Major Partagaz), & Endeavour (Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright/ACC Reginald Bright)

My Take: No fight from me. He will be darling in this role.

These are the casting announcements so far, and there are sure to be more photographs released of the fun being had on-set during filming! The series is scheduled for a 2027 release, and I can’t wait to see the next casting announcement!