Harry Potter series cast: 30,000 auditions later, HBO announces the new Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley
“Dear Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley: We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” HBO's caption read.
Harry Potter series new cast (Image source: Instagram)
We finally have our new Harry, Ron and Hermione. In a casting announcement that has sparked both excitement and curiosity across the wizarding and muggle world, HBO has officially revealed the trio stepping into the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley for its upcoming Harry Potter television series.
Dominic McLaughlin will don the lightning bolt scar as the Boy Who Lived, while Arabella Stanton is set to bring the brilliance and diligence of Hermione Granger to life. Alastair Stout will portray the ever-loyal and Harry’s BFF Ron Weasley. The announcement was made via HBO’s social media, with the much-loved Hogwarts acceptance letter in its caption.
“Dear Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley: We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” the caption read.
“Please welcome Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley to the HBO Original Series Harry Potter,” it concluded.
HBO made the strategic choice to disable comments on this announcement post. Still, the news quickly rippled across social media platforms like X, where fans voiced a mix of nostalgia and support. “I miss them,” one user wrote, referring to the original cast. Another commented, “Wish the kids luck. They’re about to be under a microscope the rest of their lives.”
The road to Hogwarts for these three young actors was anything but easy. According to reports, more than 30,000 young actors auditioned across various continents.
Dominic McLaughlin, though relatively new to the screen, is no stranger to acting. He will soon appear in the upcoming comedy Grow, sharing the screen with Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. He’s also slated to star in the BBC adaptation of Marilyn Kaye’s young adult novel Gifted.
Arabella Stanton comes with a rich background in theater, marking her screen debut with the Harry Potter series. The stage-trained actress has appeared in critically acclaimed productions including Matilda The Musical and Starlight Express, where her performance have garnered praise for their poise and energy.
Meanwhile, Alastair Stout is stepping into the world of professional acting for the very first time. Previously seen in a handful of commercials, his portrayal of Ron Weasley will be the first major stint in his career.
The casting announcement came with a statement from showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod, both of whom expressed confidence in the young leads. “After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there,” the statement read.
The Harry Potter reboot series is a collaborative effort between Brontë Film and TV, Warner Bros. Television, and Heyday Films. J.K. Rowling will return as executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë, with David Heyman also joining the project, who was a key figure in the original film franchise.
Much of the supporting cast was already announced earlier, with John Lithgow taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost appearing as Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu stepping into the robes of Severus Snape. The actor for Voldemort, however, remains unannounced. However, Ralph Fiennes, who originally portrayed the Dark Lord, has voiced support for Cillian Murphy as a potential successor.
Production of the series is expected to begin this summer, and while HBO has yet to confirm a specific premiere date, CEO Casey Bloys has hinted at a late 2026 or early 2027 debut.