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‘Harry Potter’ Fans React to New TV Series’ “Diverse” Harry, Ron, and Hermione Casting

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Posted on by Daniel Roberts
Harry Potter reacting to Sirius Black's death in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Credit: Warner Bros.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is about to change forever.

Harry Potter has been embroiled in its fair share of controversy in recent years, with most drama tying back to author JK Rowling, whose gender-critical views have sparked plenty of outrage within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Still, it hasn’t stopped the beloved franchise from expanding, whether it’s on the big screen or in the theme parks or elsewhere.

Not only are two new themed attractions set to open at the upcoming Universal Epic Universe (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and 1920s Paris/Place Cachée as seen in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), but the books and the films are now being rebooted in the form of a live-action television series.

But while the eight Harry Potter films will, as Warner Bros. has promised, “remain at the core of the franchise,” the new series is set to recast the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint (Ronald Weasley), and Emma Watson, who portrayed the iconic Hogwarts trio Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger between 2001–2011.

However, Warner Bros. isn’t just on a mission to find a new Harry, Ron, and Hermione — it’s aiming to diversify the Wizarding World. In fact, those changes have already begun.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2'
Credit: Warner Bros.

Related: JK Rowling Loses Control of ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot, Fans Celebrate

Harry Potter TV Series’ Diverse New Casting

The brand-new online multiplayer video game “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions” (2024) surprised everyone when it arrived on all major platforms on September 3, as it features the use of the gender-neutral pronouns “they” and “them.” But while there has been some backlash online from anti-woke fans, other Potterheads are thrilled the game is inclusive.

Now, the upcoming Harry Potter television series is set to continue diversifying the Wizarding World franchise. Last week, HBO opened an official casting call for three actors to lead the upcoming reboot. That’s right — an owl has been sent to fetch a new Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger, and the Sorting Hat is being prepped as we speak!

The announcement was first spotted by fans on the website Cast It Talent, and the authenticity of the report was later confirmed to Variety by HBO. The casting call is looking for children between the ages of 9–11 in April 2025 who are residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland, adding that it will be “inclusive to all races, ethnicities, and gender identities.”

The mentioning of inclusivity should come as no surprise as the films are often accused of lacking representation. Previously, Warner Bros. also reportedly said that it’s making “a concerted effort” to ensure that the Harry Potter television series has diverse casting.

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint and Ron Weasley
Credit: Warner Bros.

Related: Harry Potter Could Be Played by a Non-White Actor in the Upcoming HBO Reboot

“We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting,” the new casting call reads. “For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.” The casting call requires applicants to submit two videos showcasing their talent.

For the first video submission, it says, “Please prepare a short poem or story of your choosing. It can be from your favourite book, a poem that you love, a monologue from a play or something you’ve created yourself. Please, nothing from Harry Potter. Please use your own accent. 30 seconds maximum!”

For the second, it adds, “Please record a short video telling us a bit about yourself, including your date of birth, height and where you live. In addition, please describe any family member, friend or pet that you are particularly close to. Please use your own accent. One minute maximum!”

Here’s the announcement shared by @Variety on X (formerly Twitter), which quotes HBO’s comments regarding the streaming platform’s commitment to “inclusive, diverse casting” in the upcoming television series:

HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Opens Casting Call for Harry, Ron and Hermione: ‘We Are Committed to Inclusive, Diverse Casting’

Fans React to the Casting Call News, Drama Ensues

Though responses are somewhat mixed, the majority of users who’ve replied to this particular post (we can’t speak for the entire fanbase, obviously) are overwhelmingly negative.

@SpaceMonkey0009 makes a sarcastic dig at JK Rowling, saying, “I’m sure @jk_rowling will love this,” insinuating that the Harry Potter author is opposed to inclusive casting in terms of ethnic diversity, which obviously isn’t the case when you consider the fact that she has previously said that Hermione Granger’s ethnicity and skin tone is never revealed in the books in response to backlash toward the character being portrayed by an actor of color in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) play, which Rowling was heavily involved in:

@Ami_Mizuno is of a similar opinion, saying that “inclusive, diverse” casting is “weird given JK is a big part of the TV show.” Rowling is indeed a “big part” of the upcoming series — in fact, she’s executive producer and will reportedly have “the final say” on casting:

It’s weird given JK is a big part of the tv show

@KronosLuthor says “Go woke, go broke” — a common phrase used by anti-woke fans — adding that commitment should be to “quality storytelling.” Perhaps it is committed to quality storytelling — why can’t they be committed to more than one thing at the same time?

[Edited for accuracy] The first thing a company on the brink of collapse’s statement regarding their biggest IP should be: we are Committed to quality storytelling. But here they go again: Go Woke, Go Broke

Related: HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Could Finally Embrace Dumbledore’s Sexuality

@LazyUfoHunter asks why the showrunners can’t just cast the characters as they’re written in the books. Previously, Warner Bros. and HBO stated that the television series will be “a faithful adaptation” of the seven books by JK Rowling, although this likely pertains to the story itself. Though widely loved, the films are often criticized for omitting important characters, subplots, and scenes from the source material:

Why wouldn’t they just cast the characters as written in the book? Yikes

“@HBO apparently wants to burn money,” @JoelTSquire says. They might have a point — previous attempts at diversifying existing franchises have failed miserably. There are have been many examples over the years, with the all-female 2016 Ghostbusters reboot almost always being the first to roll off one’s tongue.

However, it’s usually the quality of the project that guarantees failure, not the casting or the genders of certain characters. In the case of the Harry Potter television series, though, even if it sticks to the storytelling elements of the source material religiously, perhaps it’s still doomed to fail now that anti-woke fans are already up in arms:

@HBO apparently wants to burn money.

Related: Weasleys May Be Portrayed by Actors of Color in ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot

It remains to be seen how this “inclusive, diverse” casting will turn out, but there’s every chance fans could be in for quite a surprise. Let’s just hope that the young actors involved — whoever they turn out to be — are left well and truly alone by Internet trolls, because, unfortunately, there are always trolls in that dungeon.

For more information about the casting call, visit Cast It Talent. The submission deadline is October 31.

The Harry Potter television series will film in the UK during 2025–2026. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said it’s expected to premiere sometime in 2026.

Are you excited to see more diversity and inclusion in the Harry Potter series? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

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