Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall & Hagrid Get a Fresh Spell of Magic – Meet the New Professors of Hogwarts
Accio, excitement! HBO just dropped its first batch of casting announcements for the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and the magic is already crackling. Set to premiere in 2027, the series promises a faithful, decade-long adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s iconic books — and with these castings, Hogwarts is officially back in business.
After weeks of fan speculation, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director-producer Mark Mylod unveiled the names that will bring some of Hogwarts’ most legendary figures to life. And let’s just say — they didn’t hold back.
The Professors of the New Hogwarts:
🧙♂️ John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
The wise, twinkly-eyed headmaster is getting a legendary upgrade. John Lithgow, known for The Crown and 3rd Rock from the Sun, steps into the role of Dumbledore, bringing gravitas and heart to the role once helmed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.
“A total surprise and a great responsibility,” Lithgow said of taking on the beloved wizard.
🧪 Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
In a casting choice already stirring curiosity, Paapa Essiedu (of I May Destroy You fame) will play the dark, layered Potions Master Severus Snape. Fans are eager to see his take on the brooding anti-hero whose loyalties remain one of the saga’s greatest mysteries.
🎓 Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
🧔♂️ Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
The lovable half-giant and Keeper of Keys will now be played by comedy favourite Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). Expect warmth, laughs, and maybe a few broken fences.
🧹 Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
The squib caretaker with a love for rules and a hatred for students, Filch will be played by veteran comic Paul Whitehouse. Mischievous first-years, beware.
🐍 Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
Stage actor Luke Thallon brings life to the timid (and secretly treacherous) Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from Year One — a role that hides a dark twist.
🎥 Production Begins This Summer
The lead trio — Harry, Ron, and Hermione — are still being cast, with over 30,000 applications received worldwide. HBO promises a “fresh and faithful” adaptation, with each season focused on a single book.
“We’re reimagining these characters for a new generation,” Gardiner and Mylod said. “The cast brings incredible depth and creativity, and we can’t wait for fans to meet their new Hogwarts family.”
The series is being produced by HBO, Brontë Film and TV, Warner Bros. Television, and Heyday Films, with J.K. Rowling onboard as an executive producer — alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
🧛 Rumour Watch: Voldemort Incoming?
Whispers are getting louder that Cillian Murphy may be circling the role of Lord Voldemort — a casting move that would undoubtedly send the fandom into overdrive. But for now, HBO is keeping You-Know-Who under wraps.
With big shoes to fill and even bigger expectations to meet, HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is shaping up to be a magical reinvention for a new era. It’s not just a retelling — it’s a rediscovery of the Wizarding World through fresh eyes, bold performances, and cinematic ambition.
