The hunt is on. Honestly, it feels weird even saying it. For an entire generation, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint are those characters. But HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery aren't looking back. They are officially deep into the Harry Potter series casting HBO process, and the stakes couldn't be higher. This isn't just another remake; it's a decade-long commitment to adapt all seven books with "astounding" fidelity.
If you’re expecting a 25-year-old playing a first-year student, forget it. They want kids. Real kids.
The Open Call and the "New Trio"
The production officially kicked off its search with an open casting call in the UK and Ireland back in late 2024. They were specifically looking for children who would be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025. That date is a massive hint. It basically confirms that cameras are expected to start rolling in the first half of 2025.
The casting notice was remarkably inclusive. It emphasized that they are committed to "inclusive, diverse casting" and that for every role, they are looking for qualified performers without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. This has sparked a lot of conversation online. Some fans want book-accurate descriptions, while others are excited to see a fresh take on the Wizarding World.
Finding a child who can carry a billion-dollar franchise for ten years is a nightmare for casting directors. Think about it. You aren't just hiring a kid for one movie. You’re hiring someone whose entire puberty will be documented on 4K cameras.
Mark Mylod and the Creative Heavyweights
Succession. That’s the pedigree we’re looking at here. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod are the duo leading the charge. Gardiner is the showrunner, and Mylod is set to direct multiple episodes. If you’ve seen the tension in Succession or the dark humor in The Menu, you know Mylod doesn't do "shallow."
This choice suggests the Harry Potter series casting HBO won't just focus on the kids. They are going to need heavy-hitting British actors for the adults. The rumor mill is already spinning out of control. Gary Oldman recently mentioned in an interview that he hasn't been approached, but he joked about being old enough to play Dumbledore now. It’s a surreal thought.
The production is looking for "freshness." They don't want to copy what Chris Columbus or David Yates did. They want something that feels like the books—sprawling, detailed, and perhaps a bit darker in the later years than the films allowed for.
📖 Related: Avengers Secret Wars: What the Movie is Actually About and Why the Comics are Way Weirder
Why the Casting Process is Taking So Long
Fans are impatient. I get it. We want to know who is wearing the glasses. but the legalities of child labor laws in the UK, combined with the sheer volume of tapes they have to watch, makes this a slow burn. Casting director Lucy Bevan—who worked on Barbie and The Batman—is the one sorting through the thousands of submissions.
She’s looking for "it." That unteachable charisma.
In the original films, Daniel Radcliffe was found almost by accident at a theater. Rupert Grint sent in a rap video. Emma Watson was discovered through her school drama teacher. This time, the digital age makes the net wider, but the filter is much tighter. They need kids who can handle the sudden, violent influx of global fame without breaking.
The Adult Roles: Rumors vs. Reality
Let's talk about the Snape and Dumbledore of it all. This is where the internet gets messy. You might have seen TikToks claiming Cillian Murphy is playing Voldemort or Paapa Essiedu is being eyed for Snape.
Here is the truth: Nothing is signed.
HBO is notoriously tight-lipped. They usually cast the children first because the chemistry between the Trio is the foundation of the whole house. Once Harry, Ron, and Hermione are locked in, they will cast the adults around them. They need to make sure the heights, the vibes, and the acting styles don't clash.
Imagine casting a very tall, intimidating Snape against a Harry who is naturally very small. It changes the power dynamic. Every choice is a ripple effect.
The Ten-Year Commitment
This is the part most people overlook. Most TV shows don't know if they'll get a Season 2. HBO has already signaled that this is a "faithful adaptation" that will run for a decade.
That is a terrifying contract for a parent to sign for their 10-year-old.
The Harry Potter series casting HBO isn't just about acting talent; it's about stability. The producers are likely vetting the families as much as the actors. They need to know these kids have a support system that can handle the pressure. We've seen what happens when child stars are chewed up by the industry. HBO wants to avoid that at all costs, especially with a property this valuable.
Differences from the Films
The biggest advantage of a series is the "filler." I love the movies, but they cut so much. Peeves the Poltergeist? Gone. S.P.E.W.? Cut. The deep lore of the Marauders? Barely touched.
The casting for these "minor" roles will be just as important for the hardcore fans. We might finally get a book-accurate Ginny Weasley who is actually a fierce, popular athlete rather than just a background character. We might see a Neville Longbottom whose arc is given the breathing room it deserves.
The series is a chance to fix the pacing issues of the later books. Trying to squeeze Order of the Phoenix into two and a half hours was a mistake. Ten episodes? That’s plenty of time to explore the Department of Mysteries.
What to Expect Next
We are approaching the "reveal" window. Usually, for a production starting in the spring, names start leaking or are officially announced in late winter.
Expect a massive press conference.
💡 You might also like: Why the Toy Story 3 Chatter Telephone is the Movie’s Most Underestimated Character
HBO won't just drop a tweet. They will want to introduce these kids to the world in a way that feels monumental. Until then, any "confirmed" list you see on social media is likely fan fiction or "wish-casting."
The reality is that the next Harry Potter is probably a kid who is currently sitting in a math class in suburban London, having no idea his life is about to change forever.
How to Stay Updated and What to Watch For
If you’re following the development of the Harry Potter series casting HBO, stop looking at unsourced fan accounts. Watch the trades—Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline. That is where the real news breaks.
Pay attention to:
- Official HBO Max (Max) social media channels for the first "First Look" images.
- Casting call updates if they reopen for secondary roles like Draco or Luna.
- Mark Mylod’s interview circuit, as he often drops hints about the "visual language" of his projects.
The Wizarding World is expanding, and while it's hard to imagine anyone else in those robes, the prospect of a truly book-accurate Hogwarts is enough to keep most of us hooked. It’s a massive gamble. But if HBO does what it did with Game of Thrones or The Last of Us, we are in for something special.
The next step for fans is to keep an eye on the 2025 production start dates. Once filming begins in the UK, the leaks will become inevitable. Local tabloids will spot the kids on set, and that’s when the real madness begins. For now, the best thing to do is revisit the books; that is the blueprint they are following, and it’s where all the clues for the new casting reside.