Credit: Edited by Inside the MagicFew franchises carry as much weight as Harry Potter. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed at its Max streaming event in April 2023 that a TV series based on all seven of J.K. Rowling’s books was coming, and on June 25 it was revealed that the project was moving to HBO. Since then, the casting announcements have arrived one by one, each one setting off fresh debate among fans.
The series, which begins with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, started shooting on July 14, 2025, at Leavesden, according to the coverage we’re drawing on, and Season 1 is slated to release at Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. A reported 32,000 young actors auditioned for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Now, three more roles have been filled. Everything below is attributed to the source, and we’ve said where it doesn’t tell us more.
The Newest Cast Members
HBO’s Harry Potter series has cast the roles of Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter, with Jasper Talbot and Hannah Chinn, respectively. Harry Gilby joins as Charlie Weasley, the second eldest son of Molly and Arthur Weasley after Bill, whose siblings also include Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny.
According to the report, Talbot is represented by United Agents, Chinn by 42, and Gilby by Independent Talent Group and Untitled Entertainment.
As shared by Deadline, “’Harry Potter’ Series Finds Its Lily & James Potter In Jasper Talbot & Hannah Chinn; Harry Gilby To Play Charlie Weasley”
‘Harry Potter’ Series Finds Its Lily & James Potter In Jasper Talbot & Hannah Chinn; Harry Gilby To Play Charlie Weasley https://t.co/oPrqkl2jeN
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 27, 2026
What We Know About Harry’s Parents
The report notes that Harry’s parents did not appear much in the hit films, and says it is unknown how big a role they will play in the new series. According to the first novel, James and Lily Potter were killed by Voldemort. The report says Lily sacrificed her life that day to protect Harry, who was a baby, and that the curse Voldemort unleashed bounced off Harry, leaving the dark wizard without a physical form. Harry was left with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
What Philosopher’s Stone Is About
In the series, viewers are introduced to Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), who has nothing special about him, or so his Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley) tells him. Then a mysterious letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrives, opening the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship, and adventure. Behind Hogwarts’ walls lie dark secrets, and Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all.
The Cast So Far
According to the report, the series also stars Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
The rest of the cast includes Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
How the Casting Worked
According to the coverage, Warner Bros. wanted young actors, given that the series is proceeding through Rowling’s books in order. “The tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12,” said Warner Bros. TV Group Chairman Channing Dungey of the casting process.
The coverage adds that Gardiner revealed the 32,000 figure for lead auditions at the end of 2024.
Season 2 Changes
The coverage says HBO has renewed the series for a second season, elevating Jon Brown from a Season 1 writer to co-showrunner alongside Francesca Gardiner. It also says Gracie Cochrane will not return as Ginny Weasley from Season 2 onward, citing her departure “due to unforeseen circumstances,” and that Bonnie Hill will take over the role.
Season 2 casting reported in the coverage includes Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart, replacing Nicholas Hoult, per Deadline. Lenny Rush will play Dobby, Billy Barratt will play Tom Riddle, Molly Hewitt-Richards will play Moaning Myrtle, Rafe Spall will play Arthur Weasley, and Jasper Ambrose will play Colin Creevey. The coverage says Season 2 was aiming to start production in the fall, which may be out of date.
Who’s Behind the Series
The series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes, for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The executive producers also include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman of Heyday Films, Laura Neal, and Jon Brown. The coverage notes that Gardiner and Mylod previously worked together on Succession.
Trailers and Release
The coverage says a first teaser trailer was released on March 25, and a fuller trailer on Sept. 2, after what has become known as return-to-Hogwarts day on Sept. 1. Season 1 will release at Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
What HBO Has Said
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, said of the project, “This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,” and assured fans it would be “a faithful adaptation.” He also said the project would run for “10 consecutive years.”
Tell Us What You Think
Who are you most excited to see as James, Lily, and Charlie? Tell us in the comments which casting you’re most curious about, and whether you’re already counting down to Christmas 2026. We’ll keep following every announcement.
