Credit: Warner Bros.The Wizarding World has officially welcomed a new wave of star power.
While HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series continues to attract attention and debate in equal measure, fans shouldn’t expect to step back into Hogwarts on screen just yet. The highly anticipated reboot is still early in production, and Warner Bros. has yet to confirm when it will premiere.
In the meantime, a different branch of the franchise is taking flight–this time through sound. Audible has announced “Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions,” a sweeping new audio adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga set to launch later this year. The first teaser highlighted a remarkable voice cast, including Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Riz Ahmed as Severus Snape, Michelle Gomez as Minerva McGonagall, and Matthew Macfadyen portraying Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort.
The beloved trio of young wizards will also be voiced by new performers, some of whom will appear in the HBO adaptation. Frankie Treadaway steps in as Harry Potter, Max Lester as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger–with Stanton also slated to reprise the role in the upcoming live-action series based on Rowling’s billion-dollar creation.
On the project, Audible shared how these productions will set themselves apart from previous iterations. “These brand-new productions of the original seven stories by J.K. Rowling will showcase the listening experiences as never heard before,” the company wrote, “offering immersive audio entertainment through high-quality sound design in Dolby Atmos, stunning scoring, captivating performances from A-list actors, original music, and real-world sound capture.”
As Deadline reported a few weeks ago, several more high-profile names were confirmed for the lineup, including a major star from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Keira Knightley, who famously portrayed Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates series, will play Professor Dolores Umbridge. Fans long remember this character as one of the most fascinating yet despised figures in the wizarding world, previously brought to life by Imelda Staunton in the films.
Joining Knightley in the ensemble are Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart, Iwan Rheon as Professor Lupin, Ruth Wilson as Bellatrix Lestrange, Ambika Mod as Nymphadora Tonks, Leo Woodall as Bill Weasley, Simon Pegg as Arthur Weasley, James McAvoy as Mad-Eye Moody, Gemma Whelan as Professor Sprout, and Matt Berry as Sir Cadogan.
Ahead of the release of the first book on Audible, the final casting for the project has been revealed.
As Variety reported, Bill Nighy, who fans may remember as Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic in the Warner Bros. Harry Potter films, is swapping political intrigue for potions. Nighy takes on the role of Professor Slughorn.
The cast continues to expand with a mix of familiar names and fresh talent. David Holmes, who served as a lead stunt double in the films, voices Stan Shunpike, while Saoirse-Monica Jackson steps in as Professor Trelawney. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù brings Sirius Black to life, and Anna Maxwell Martin will be lending her voice to the notorious journalist Rita Skeeter. Rounding out the ensemble are Mackenzie Crook as Kreacher, Stephen Mangan as Nearly Headless Nick, Tracy-Ann Oberman as Madam Hooch, and Millie Gubby as Luna Lovegood.
Just like the rest of the cast, Harry Potter’s school nemesis, Draco Malfoy, has also been recast. Jude Farrant will voice young Draco Malfoy in audiobooks one through three, with Maximus Evans taking over in books four through seven. Neville Longbottom is split between Jake Sigsworth for the first three books and Archie Mountain for the final four.
Per HarryPotter.com, Neil Blair, Chairman of Pottermore Publishing, praised the project as a “sophisticated, immersive audio experience,” adding, “J.K. Rowling’s storytelling lends itself perfectly to the application of new audiobook technologies,” he continued, “and we’re certain this sophisticated, immersive audio experience will not only add a new listening dimension for existing fans but will introduce a whole new generation of listeners to the Wizarding World.”
After the first three installments, the principal roles will be handed off to Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis, beginning with “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Even as the Wizarding World remains a pop culture mainstay more than two decades later, the franchise continues to be shaped by controversy surrounding its creator, J.K. Rowling. The author’s political commentary, particularly on transgender issues, has led to significant backlash and divided portions of the fanbase.
Still, interest in new Wizarding World projects remains strong, and Audible has already mapped out a full rollout schedule for the audiobooks: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on November 4, 2025; “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” on December 16, 2025; “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” on January 13, 2026; “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” on February 10, 2026; “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” on March 10, 2026; “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” on April 14, 2026; and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” on May 12, 2026.
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