Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

HBO’s Harry Potter TV adaptation begins casting for Harry, Hermione and Ron

Series likely to begin filming in April 2025

Shahana Yasmin
Tuesday 10 September 2024 06:26 BST
Comments
Harry Potter through the years

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The search for a new trio of actors to play the next Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger has begun.

An open casting call was launched on Monday for children from the UK and Ireland to audition for the lead roles for HBO’s forthcoming television adaptation based on JK Rowling’s best-selling books about the Boy Who Lived.

HBO confirmed the casting call to Variety.

The TV adaption was confirmed by HBO Max last year and aims to be a “faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling”. The series is expected to run for a decade, each season based on one of the seven Rowling books.

The casting call says they are looking for children aged 9 to 11 in April 2025 and who are residents of the UK and Ireland.

It asks the actors to submit two short videos, one of which could be a short poem or story but not from Harry Potter. In the other, the actor could talk about themselves as well as “a family member, friend, or pet that you are particularly close to”.

“We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting,” the casting call says. “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 deadline for submissions is 31 October 2024.

The series, expected to release in 2026, is set to feature an entirely new cast to the film franchise, which starred Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as his best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.

Fans have pointed out that the estimated start of production in April is seven months away, the same amount of time it had taken to find and cast then 11-year-old Radcliffe in 2000 to play the role of Harry Potter.

Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint in 2000
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint in 2000 (Getty Images)

At the Drama League Awards in May this year, Radcliffe said he would be happy to watch the new adaptation and didn’t sound too keen on an appearance.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“Like the rest of the world, I’m very excited to watch as an audience member,” Radcliffe told E! News.

Asked about a possible cameo or guest appearance, he said: “I don’t think so.”

“I think they very wisely want a clean break. And I don’t know if it would work to have us do anything in it. I’m very happy to just watch along with everyone else.”

Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, known for producing Succession, will serve as creative heads for the series. Gardiner will also serve as showrunner and executive producer. Mylod is slated to executive produce and direct multiple episodes as well.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in