Harry Potter HBO series unveils NINE new cast members as Malfoy and others confirmed amid casting controversy
HBO has revealed nine additional cast members for its upcoming Harry Potter television series, with Johnny Flynn set to portray Lucius Malfoy and Katherine Parkinson taking on the role of Molly Weasley.
The announcement, made on Monday via the streaming platform’s Instagram page, confirms Flynn, known for Netflix’s Ripley and films like The Dig, will play the scheming father of Harry’s rival, Draco Malfoy.
Parkinson, a Bafta winner recognised for her roles in The IT Crowd and Rivals, will portray the Weasley family matriarch previously played by Julie Walters in the film franchise.
The casting news follows recent confirmation of the series’ three young leads and several key adult characters, as the production moves closer to its planned 2026 premiere date.
Newcomer Lox Pratt, who starred in the BBC’s Lord of the Flies, will play Draco Malfoy, Harry’s Slytherin rival. The Morning Show’s Bel Powley and Bafta winner Daniel Rigby, known for playing Eric Morecambe in Eric and Ernie, have been cast as Petunia and Vernon Dursley, respectively.
Bertie Carvel, who portrayed Tony Blair in The Crown, will take on the role of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. The announcement also revealed several Hogwarts students, with Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown.
According to HBO’s Instagram post, the series describes these additions as “Molly, Malfoys, Gryffindors, Muggles, and Minister” joining the production.
These castings build upon previously announced roles, with screen newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout set to lead as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The trio were selected from “tens of thousands of children” who auditioned following HBO’s open casting call, according to showrunner Francesca Gardiner.
The adult cast includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse have been confirmed in guest roles as Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch, respectively.
Author JK Rowling will serve as executive producer on the project and has previously endorsed the three young actors who’ll take on the leading roles.
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However, the casting announcements haven’t come without their controversies, with Essiedu’s role as Snape drawing particular attention.
While the series has been billed as a “faithful adaptation” of Rowling’s books, some critics claim Essiedu’s appointment veered too far from Snape’s depiction as “sallow-skinned” with long black hair and a “hooked nose”.
Essiedu, who is Black, ignored the naysayers, however, instead releasing a statement following his appointment expressing his excitement at the job.
Rowling has long been an advocate for biological women’s rights, and as such, Frost faced fury from trans activists once he was confirmed to star in the series.
Filming is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with the series expected to premiere in 2026.
Lox Pratt has been cast as Draco Malfoy in the HARRY POTTER TV series pic.twitter.com/wDoeZoUTCZ
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) June 9, 2025
The show will stream exclusively on HBO Max in multiple countries, including upcoming launch markets Germany, Italy, and the UK. HBO has outlined a 10-year plan to adapt all seven Harry Potter books across multiple seasons.
Mark Mylod, known for his work on Succession, will direct multiple episodes and serve as executive producer alongside showrunner Francesca Gardiner. Rowling will also executive produce, along with Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.