The wizarding world is buzzing with excitement as HBO has officially confirmed the casting of three newcomers to lead its highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot series. Announced yesterday, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will step into the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively, marking the beginning of a new era for one of the most beloved franchises in modern history. The series, set to premiere in 2027, promises a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga, with each season dedicated to one book over a decade-long run. As the magical trio prepares to bring Hogwarts back to life, fans and critics alike are eager to see how these young actors will carry the torch once held by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
The announcement comes after months of speculation and an exhaustive casting process that saw over 32,000 children audition for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. HBO launched an open casting call in September 2024, seeking British children aged 9 to 11 as of April 2025, a decision that reflects the studio’s commitment to authenticity in portraying the young characters as they begin their journey at Hogwarts. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod, both veterans of HBO’s Succession, spearheaded the search alongside casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann. “After an extraordinary search, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” Gardiner and Mylod said in a joint statement. “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.”
Dominic McLaughlin, who will play the titular Harry Potter, is a relative newcomer to the acting world. His only prior credit is a role in an upcoming Sky original movie, Grow, a comedy about an ill-tempered pumpkin farmer, where he stars alongside Golda Rosheuvel and Nick Frost—who, coincidentally, will play Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series. McLaughlin’s casting as the Boy Who Lived—a young wizard destined to battle the dark forces of Voldemort—has generated significant buzz, with fans noting his striking resemblance to a young Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry in the original eight-film series from 2001 to 2011. Radcliffe himself commented on the reboot earlier this year, telling E! News, “I’m sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere. But I do wish them all the luck in the world, and I’m very excited to have that torch passed.”
Arabella Stanton, cast as the brilliant and brave Hermione Granger, brings a bit more experience to the table. The young actress previously starred as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical on London’s West End and played Control in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express at Wembley Park Theatre. Her stage background suggests a natural ability to embody Hermione’s intelligence and fierce loyalty, traits that made the character a fan favorite in the original films, where she was portrayed by Emma Watson. Stanton inherits a role that has inspired generations of young girls, and early reactions to her casting have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans on social media praising her expressive features and poised demeanor as a perfect fit for the bushy-haired witch.
Rounding out the Golden Trio is Alastair Stout, who will play Ron Weasley, Harry’s loyal best friend and the heart of the group. Stout is the least experienced of the three, with minimal prior acting credits—his IMDb page lists a small role in an advertising campaign as “son at dinner.” Despite his lack of experience, HBO’s confidence in Stout suggests he possesses a natural charm and humor that align with Ron’s character, originally brought to life by Rupert Grint. Fans have noted Stout’s red hair and freckled complexion as a nod to the Weasley family’s iconic look, and many are eager to see how he’ll capture Ron’s blend of humor, insecurity, and unwavering friendship.
The casting of the trio follows HBO’s earlier announcement in April 2025 of several adult series regulars, a lineup that has already sparked both excitement and debate among fans. John Lithgow, a six-time Emmy winner known for roles in The Crown, Dexter, and 3rd Rock from the Sun, will play Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts. Lithgow’s casting as an American actor in a quintessentially British role raised some eyebrows, but his proven ability to master a British accent—demonstrated in his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown—has quelled most concerns. Janet McTeer, a Tony and Golden Globe winner with credits in Ozark and The Menu, will take on the role of Minerva McGonagall, the stern yet compassionate Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor House, originally played by Dame Maggie Smith. Paapa Essiedu, an Emmy-nominated actor from I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, has been cast as Severus Snape, the complex Potions professor with a tumultuous history, previously portrayed by Alan Rickman. Essiedu’s casting as a Black actor marks a significant race swap for the character, prompting discussions about diversity in the wizarding world, though many fans have praised the choice for its fresh perspective. Finally, Nick Frost, known for his comedic roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will play the beloved half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, a role originated by Robbie Coltrane.
Additional casting includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry’s first year, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Hogwarts’ curmudgeonly caretaker. Thallon, a stage actor who recently played Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company, brings a fresh face to the role previously played by Ian Hart, while Whitehouse, known for BBC’s The Fast Show, steps into the shoes of David Bradley.
The Harry Potter reboot series, greenlit by Warner Bros. Discovery in April 2023, aims to offer a more in-depth adaptation of Rowling’s books than the original films, which grossed over $7.7 billion at the box office. Each of the seven books—The Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows—will be adapted into a single season, allowing for greater detail and fidelity to the source material. HBO has emphasized that the series will be a “faithful adaptation,” with Rowling serving as an executive producer alongside Gardiner, Mylod, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman. Production is set to begin this summer at Leavesden Studios in the UK, the same location where the original films were shot, with a planned premiere in 2027.
Fan reactions to the casting of McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout have been largely positive, though not without some skepticism. Posts on X reflect a mix of excitement and nostalgia, with one user noting, “I really like this casting—I can really see them as the Golden Trio. I wish them all the luck!” Another wrote, “Dominic, Arabella, and Alastair look perfect for the roles, but let’s be real, they’re tiny replicas of the OGs. I give it two episodes before we’re all begging for Dan, Emma, and Rupert to come back!” The sentiment underscores the challenge these young actors face in stepping into roles so deeply associated with Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, who grew up onscreen as the characters over a decade.
The reboot also comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Rowling’s involvement due to her anti-transgender statements, which have drawn criticism from the original film stars and some fans. HBO has addressed the issue, with Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys stating, “Our priority is what’s on the screen. The Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance.” Despite the controversy, the franchise remains a cultural juggernaut, with Rowling’s expansive wizarding world—spanning books, films, games, and theater—valued at an estimated $26 billion.
For McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout, the journey ahead is both thrilling and daunting. They will carry the weight of a franchise that has defined a generation, introducing Harry, Ron, and Hermione to new audiences while honoring the legacy of the original films, which will remain available globally. As production gears up, the wizarding world watches with bated breath, ready to return to Hogwarts with a new Golden Trio at the helm. In the words of Hagrid, “Yer a wizard, Harry”—and soon, the world will see just how magical this new chapter will be.
