HBO's Harry Potter child leads finally announced after months of 'woke' casting backlash
The three child actors who will play the lead roles in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter adaption have been announced after months of speculation.
Dominic McLaughlin has been cast for the titular role of Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger.
Executives cast the new trio after more than 30,000 actors auditioned for the lead roles in an open casting call for British children aged nine to 11.
On Tuesday, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod expressed their delight after the "extraordinary search."
'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," they said in a 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."
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint achieved worldwide fame in the early 2000s as the original leads in the seven fantasy films.
The three newcomers are largely unknown, and the HBO series could excel with them.
Like Radcliffe, who began his career starring in school plays, McLaughlin played Oliver Gregory in the on-stage comedy Grow alongside Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel.
Stanton played the titular role in Roald Dahl's Matilda: The Musical in London's West End from 2023 through 2024.
Weasley will be Stout's first major role.
Earlier this month, Hollywood finance expert Martin Cobb told The Sun there was "absolutely no reason" the newcomers "won't easily exceed the incomes of the three original stars."
Radcliffe has an estimated net worth of £82.5 million, Watson's figure is £64 million, while Grint earned £37.5 million.
A production insider told the publication the success of the new series relies heavily on the bond between McLaughlin, Stout and Stanton.
"The hope is that this becomes the most lucrative TV series of all time," they said.
"But that hinges on how two young boys and a girl manage to bond — as well as coping with instant fame."
The trio will start filming in the next months at HBO's 200-acre studio in Leavesden, Herts, alongside A-listers John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
The announcement comes as the casting of some of the major roles in the adaptation of British author J.K. Rowling's best-selling novels into a long-form TV show has been met with backlash for being perceived as "woke."
The choice to cast award-winning British actor Paapa Essiedu as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry professor Severus Snape attracted criticism before he was even confirmed for the role.
"Paapa Essiedu is being eyed for the role of Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series. Another classic that goes woke," one person wrote on X.
"Paapa Essiedu can't hold a candle to Alan Rickman. The woke left just had to ruin Harry Potter! Needless to say," another person said.
Lithgow also received backlash due to Rowling's stance on transgender rights.
The 59-year-old author, who disputes claims her views are "transphobic", recently celebrated the UK Supreme Court's ruling that only biological women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws in April.
In a subsequent article titled 'An open letter to John Lithgow: Please walk away from Harry Potter', Book Riot contributor Danika Ellis claimed Lithgow's casting "lends credence" to the new Harry Potter.
Ellis said Lithgow effectively helped "grow J.K. Rowling's platform to further her crusade against trans people's rights" by starring as Dumbledore.
Lithgow responded by saying the letter did not deter him, and he 'absolutely' did not expect the amount of backlash he has received.
"I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it," he said.
"I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her."
Rowling was once close to Radcliffe, Watson and Grint but previously said she would not forgive the trio for criticising her opinions and told them to "save their apologies" for 'traumatised de transitioners'.
She appeared to have reignited her feud with the three stars via a savage online dig at the trio in March.
Her supporters include HBO, which Warner Bros., the distributor of the Harry Potter franchise, owns.
Last November, HBO chief Casey Bloys said Rowling's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff' of the Harry Potter adaption, which is set to begin filming later this year.
'J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement," a spokesperson for the network told Variety.
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