Getting the right actors for Harry Potter's TV remake was always going to be a challenge for HBO, but it just became an even bigger one. If there's one thing that's undeniably brilliant and universally beloved about the Harry Potter films, it's the casting, especially for the adult characters. The big screen adaptations nailed just about every major role, using some of the best British talent around. It's hard to imagine anyone stepping into the shoes and robes of greats like Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) and Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), though so far, the small screen reboot has done an impressive and exciting job of fleshing out its cast.
The newcomers to those roles will inevitably be compared to what came before, but the hope is that they can bring something different and unique to those characters, while honoring the Harry Potter movies and, importantly, the books. This is something the show will continue to face as it moves through the novels, and it's also not helped by another Harry Potter series being developed at the same time: Audible's full-cast audiobook version. Featuring the likes of Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Mark Addy as Rubeus Hagrid, and Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, it's impressive stuff, but a recent update truly nailed some upcoming characters before the remake can.
The latest round of castings for the Audible series [via HarryPotter.com] includes more established and rising British stars, including:
They're all pretty great but, for me, four in particular stand out as actors who'd be perfect for those roles in the live-action remake: McAvoy, Pegg, Wilson, and Berry. The latter is the most minor, but Berry is a comedic genius, and his fantastic voice work would fit Cadogan's OTT bravery and hot-headedness incredibly well, making him shine as comic relief even more than he already does. The others are, of course, a lot more substantial, but it's difficult to think of better new actors for those roles.
Pegg has a lot of natural affability, while also being able to add a dash of eccentricity, which would make him the ideal match for Arthur Weasley. Whoever plays him needs to come across as a kind everyman, while being able to bring a childlike fascination and enthusiasm for all things Muggle-related that comes off as endearing rather than irritating, and Pegg certainly has the ability to strike that balance. His good friend and frequent co-star, Nick Frost, is already playing Hagrid, and while the characters don't share too many scenes, it'd add just a little extra to get them together again.
McAvoy, meanwhile, is an actor I could easily imagine in one of many roles - even of those above, it's possible to picture him doing a pretty slick Lockhart, or a tortured Lupin, but it's Mad-Eye that he could really excel at. He's a multi-layered character who requires a steely intensity, while also coming off as strange, and yet someone that we as audiences warm to. McAvoy has proven he can do all of that; his warmth has shone through in several projects since his Narnia days, while his work in Split highlights his diverse range as an actor that could capture all aspects of Moody.
Most exciting of all, though, would be McAvoy's His Dark Materials co-star, Wilson, as Bellatrix. It's hard to outdo Helena Bonham Carter, but Wilson is about as perfect as you're going to get. In projects like His Dark Materials and Luther, she's shown she can portray characters as psychopaths and go to some incredibly cold, dark, sadistic places. If looking for someone who could capture the cruel madness of Bellatrix, she'd be a fantastic choice.
The problem with all of this, of course, is that having signed on to play those characters in an Audible series, it might mean they're less likely to appear in the TV remake. While Arabella Stanton is playing Hermione Granger in both, and the voice-only nature of the audiobook means there's no jarring on-screen doubling up, it's a question of whether actors would want to do the same thing twice in different mediums. At the same time, given that HBO is bringing back Warwick Davis as Flitwick, maybe it won't be a problem for all of them. Certainly, these actors could be truly magical in their roles in live-action, and would be hard to beat.
The Harry Potter remake is currently filming, and is expected to be released on HBO and HBO Max in 2027.
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