The New Hogwarts Era: 17 Confirmed Actors In The Harry Potter TV Series Cast (And The Shocking Voldemort Rumor)

The Wizarding World is officially being reimagined for a new generation, and the casting announcements for the highly anticipated HBO Original Harry Potter television series are the freshest news to hit the fandom in years. As of December 15, 2025, a significant portion of the core cast—from the iconic Golden Trio to the beloved Hogwarts faculty and even the formidable Malfoy family—has been officially confirmed, signaling that production, which began in July 2025 in the UK, is moving full steam ahead.

This new, seven-season series promises a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, with each season covering one novel, allowing for unprecedented depth in character development and plot detail. The casting process was exhaustive, with over 32,000 young actors considered for the main roles, resulting in a mix of fresh-faced newcomers and seasoned, award-winning veterans ready to redefine the magical saga for Max subscribers worldwide.

Meet the New Golden Trio: Full Biography & Previous Roles

The most crucial and heavily scrutinized casting decisions—the three students who will lead the series for a decade—have been finalized. HBO has chosen three relatively unknown talents, mirroring the original film’s strategy of building an international phenomenon around fresh faces.

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Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter

• Role: Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived.
• Background: A rising Scottish actor, McLaughlin was born around 2013-2014 and hails from Lanarkshire, Scotland.
• Previous Work: Before securing the role of the world's most famous wizard, McLaughlin had roles in the BBC action-adventure series Gifted and is set to appear in the Sky Cinema comedy Grow. His casting represents a return to an authentic British/Scottish identity for the core character.

Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger

• Role: Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age.
• Background: A British actress, Arabella Stanton was born on April 11, 2014.
• Previous Work: Stanton is perhaps the most experienced of the trio, best known for her titular role as Matilda Wormwood in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda the Musical on London's West End. She also appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight. Her stage background suggests the vocal and intellectual prowess needed for the role of Hermione.

Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley

• Role: Ron Weasley, Harry’s best friend and comedic relief.
• Background: A young British actor who was largely an unknown figure prior to his casting.
• Previous Work: Stout’s credited appearances before his major role as Ron are sparse, including only an advert for Albert Bartlett. His relative anonymity is seen by many fans as a perfect blank slate to embody the character of Ron Weasley without any pre-conceived notions from previous roles.

The Hogwarts Faculty and Key Supporting Cast Confirmed

The foundation of the Wizarding World rests on the shoulders of the esteemed professors and influential families at Hogwarts. The casting for these roles blends legendary actors with critically acclaimed modern talent, promising a fresh and authoritative take on the classic characters.

The Iconic Hogwarts Staff

• Albus Dumbledore: John Lithgow. The veteran actor, known for his versatile career, will take on the role of the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
• Minerva McGonagall: Janet McTeer. The acclaimed stage and screen actress will portray the Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor.
• Severus Snape: Paapa Essiedu. The BAFTA-nominated actor, known for his work in I May Destroy You and Black Mirror, is a compelling choice for the complicated Potions Master.
• Rubeus Hagrid: Nick Frost. In a widely celebrated announcement, the beloved British comedian and actor will step into the giant boots of the Keeper of Keys and Grounds. Frost’s casting has been praised for capturing the character’s warmth and imposing stature.
• Professor Filius Flitwick: Warwick Davis. In a rare move for the reboot, Davis, who played the role in the original film series, will reprise his role as the Charms Master, providing a welcome link to the original franchise.
• Quirinus Quirrell: Luke Thallon. The defense against the Dark Arts professor from the first book will be portrayed by Thallon.

The Weasleys and Malfoys

The casting extends to the two most crucial rival families in the series: the pure-blood Malfoys and the blood-traitor Weasleys. This confirms a significant number of relevant entities, adding substantial topical authority to the series’ ensemble.

• Molly Weasley: Katherine Parkinson. The BAFTA winner, known for her role in The IT Crowd, is a fantastic choice for the matriarch of the Weasley family.
• Ginny Weasley: Gracie Cochrane. The youngest Weasley sibling, who becomes a major character later in the series, will be played by Cochrane.
• Fred Weasley: Tristan Harland.
• George Weasley: Gabriel Harland. The iconic Weasley twins will be played by the Harland duo.
• Draco Malfoy: Lox Pratt. The young actor will take on the role of Harry’s Slytherin rival.
• Lucius Malfoy: Johnny Flynn. The actor and musician will portray the influential and sinister patriarch of the Malfoy family.

The Most Controversial Casting Rumor: A Female Lord Voldemort?

While the majority of the casting has been met with excitement, one unconfirmed rumor has sparked intense division and debate across the global fandom, answering the intention based on curiosity: the potential casting of a female Lord Voldemort, possibly played by the acclaimed actress and singer Cynthia Erivo.

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Reports suggest that the casting team is auditioning both male and female actors for the role of the Dark Lord, signaling a potential major deviation from the source material. The rumor of Erivo as a "Lady Voldemort" has generated significant fan backlash, with many arguing that changing the gender of the primary antagonist, whose history is deeply tied to Tom Riddle’s male lineage, fundamentally alters the narrative.

However, supporters of the rumored gender-swap argue that the essence of Lord Voldemort—a terrifying, soulless entity—is not tied to a specific gender, and that an actress of Erivo’s caliber could bring a fresh, chilling dimension to the villain. As of today, this remains the most talked-about, unconfirmed aspect of the production, and an official announcement is eagerly awaited to either confirm the rumor or put the speculation to rest. The decision to potentially cast a female Voldemort is a clear indicator that the new series, while faithful to the books, is not afraid to take bold, modern creative risks.

Other Key Entities and Production Details

Beyond the main cast, a few other names have been announced, further building the world of the series. Leo Earley has been cast as the Gryffindor student Seamus Finnigan, known for his accidental explosions in the books. Additionally, Alessia Leoni has been confirmed as a Hogwarts student in an unannounced role. The sheer volume of casting news, including these smaller, yet important, roles, confirms that the production is deeply committed to populating the world with a rich ensemble cast.

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The series is currently filming in the UK, with the goal of delivering a visually stunning and narratively comprehensive saga. The focus on newcomers for the lead roles allows the new series to truly stand apart from the Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint era, ensuring that the new actors can grow into their roles as the series progresses, just as the original trio did. This new chapter in the Wizarding World promises to be a deep dive into the lore, magic, and political complexities of the books, offering a fresh perspective while honoring the beloved source material.