HBO's "Harry Potter" Series Close to Find Its Snape & McGonagall
Yara Sameh
HBO is closing in on two more main cast members for its high-profile TV adaptation of the hugely popular 'Harry Potter' book series.
Oscar-and Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer is in talks to play Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Additionally, Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu, one of the first actors identified for the series, is closing his deal to portray Professor Severus Snape.
They are poised to join John Lithgow, who will be playing Professor Albus Dumbledore.
'We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,' HBO said in a statement. 'As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.'
The series, designed to run over a decade, comes from writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod.
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, at the time of the original announcement, called the series a 'faithful adaptation' of J.K. Rowling's novels that will 'dive deep into each of the iconic books.'
Speaking at a Max event in London last December, Gardiner revealed the series will stick to the 'canonical' ages of Snape, who will be only 31, as well as the Dursleys, who will be much younger than they were in the movies.
That explains the choice of thirtysomething Essiedu for the role of Snape, the antagonist-turned-hero played in the Harry Potter movies by the late Alan Rickman.
Severus Snape is a Professor of Potions at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who eventually becomes Headmaster.
Meanwhile, McTeer is just a couple of years younger than the late Maggie Smith was when she was cast as Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall in the film franchise two and a half decades ago.
The Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts, McGonagall also is the nurturing head of Gryffindor House and the Deputy Headmistress under Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Lithgow).
In the Fantastic Beasts prequel films, the role was played by Fiona Glascott.
With the HBO series, the Harry Potter franchise continues to build a more inclusive and racially diverse universe, an effort that started with the casting of Noma Dumezweni as Hermione in the long-running stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
It is something another popular fantasy franchise, The Lord of the Rings, also embarked on when transitioning to the small screen with the Amazon series.
The Harry Potter TV series, which will be filmed at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden where the movies were shot, is slated to debut on HBO in late 2026 or early 2027.
Some 32,000 kids sent audition tapes for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron, with the final casting choices yet to be revealed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
a day ago
- Egypt Today
Javier Bardem Slams Global Inaction: 'This Is a 21st-Century Genocide in Gaza'
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem delivers a powerful message, calling out Israel's blockade and the silence of world leaders, urging the world not to look away from Gaza. Bardem turned the spotlight on Gaza, delivering a searing statement: 'While we celebrate our creative passion for fiction with a generous and loving audience, we cannot forget the reality of tens and tens of thousands of children, women, and men killed by Israel's blockade of food, its bombs, and its bullets. And above all, by the political inaction and the impunity rooted in the cowardice of our leaders. They will be remembered as accomplices in this 21st-century genocide — the genocide of the people of Gaza.' A bold and urgent message that resonated far beyond the screen.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Tom Cruise to Be Presented Honorary Oscar
Yara Sameh Actor and producer Tom Cruise will receive Honorary Awards 35 years after receiving his first Oscar nomination. Choreographer and actor Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas will also be a recipient of the award. Moreover, music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton will be recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. All four Oscar statuettes will be presented at the 16th annual Governors Awards, taking place November 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood. 'This year's Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact,' said Janet Yang, Academy President. 'The Academy's Board of Governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.' The Honorary Award is given to "honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy." Cruise, one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood history, has long been a vocal supporter of theatrical exhibition. He played a key role in reigniting box office momentum during the coronavirus pandemic with 'Top Gun: Maverick,' which earned him a best picture nomination as a producer. Known for performing his own stunts, Cruise's accolades include three acting Oscar nominations for 'Born on the Fourth of July,' 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Magnolia.' His credits also include 'Risky Business,' 'A Few Good Men,' 'Interview With the Vampire,' 'Eyes Wide Shut,' 'Vanilla Sky' and the long-running 'Mission: Impossible' franchise. Each year, many names are put forward to be honored with these prestigious awards. At last year's Governors Awards ceremony, honors were presented to Quincy Jones (posthumously), the first Black producer to be nominated for best picture; legendary casting director Juliet Taylor; screenwriter and director Richard Curtis; and longtime James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Btolat
4 days ago
- Btolat
سيميوني عن هزيمة أتلتيكو مدريد الثقيلة أمام باريس سان جيرمان: اتخذت قرارًا هامًا بعد 14 عامًا
Keira Knightley remembers Donald Sutherland on 20 years of 'Pride and Prejudice' Kiera Knightley and co-star Rosamund Pike looked back on some iconic moments from 2005 adaptation of Jane Austin's novel, Pride and Prejudice , including their time spent with late Donald Sutherland. Knightley and Pike starred as Elizabeth and Jane Bennet respectively, meanwhile, Sutherland played the role of their loving father Mr Bennet. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Oscar nominated adaptation, Pike and Knightly sat down with the Vanity Fair to talk about their beloved film. While honouring the memory of Sutherland, Knightley said, "I have to say, most actors have been a disappointment since then." "Donald was pretty legendary," Pike added. "We did have dinners with him sometimes, and he told us some pretty wild stories which cannot be shared." The Black Doves star then shared that Sutherland was strictly anti-smoker, a quality his castmates did not share. Sharing a memory relating to smoking, the 40-year-old star recalled, "There was the party that Donald Sutherland came to. You weren't allowed to smoke. He had it in his contract that nobody on the set was allowed to smoke anywhere near, and you couldn't smell of smoke." Knightly added, "But of course everyone smoked back then. And everybody would be smoking, and then you'd be sort of spraying yourself." The Pirates of the Caribbean star further shared that Sutherland eventually came to party with a gas mask, remembering his words, she said, "he was like, 'I want you to all be able to smoke. And I wanted to come to the party.'" Sutherland died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on June 10, 2024, at the age of 88.
