HBO Reveals First Cast Members for "Harry Potter" Series
HBO has confirmed the first cast members for the highly-anticipated 'Harry Potter' TV series.
The cast now includes the following series regulars: John Lithgow ('Conclave,' 'The Crown') as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer ('Tumbleweeds,' 'The White Queen') as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu ('I May Destroy You,' 'Gangs of London') as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost ('Shaun of the Dead,' 'Hot Fuzz') as Rubeus Hagrid. It had previously been reported that all four actors were in talks for the show.
In addition, Luke Thallon (Tom Stoppard's 'Leopoldstadt,' Rupert Goold's 'Patriots') has joined in the recurring role of Quirinus Quirrell. Paul Whitehouse ('The Fast Show,' 'Harry & Paul') will appear in the recurring role of Argus Filch.
'We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,' said Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer. 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.'
These are the first confirmed actors for the highly-anticipated series. When it comes to the main roles — Harry, Ron, and Hermione — HBO launched an open casting call in the fall, with over 30,000 submissions. The show is expected to begin filming this summer.
HBO is describing the show as a 'faithful adaptation' of the globally recognized J.K. Rowling book series. 'Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring 'Harry Potter' and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences,' per the official description.
The series is written and executive produced by Gardiner, who also serves as showrunner. Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
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
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
Lifestyle
Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Videos & Features
Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO)
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Arts & Culture
Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
3 hours ago
- Mid East Info
OSN+ celebrates 140 Emmy Nominations as HBO's exclusive home in the region - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE, 21 July 2025: OSN+, the exclusive home of HBO in the Middle East and North Africa, commends HBO for an impressive 140 nominations across 22 TV shows and movies, the most nominations the distinguished network has been awarded in a year; displaying true excellence within the industry at the 77th annual Emmy® Awards. Among several other notable titles, HBO were nominated for The Penguin , The White Lotus and The Last of Us , all of which earning over 15 nominations each. With a variety of content, from gripping dramas to outstanding documentaries, HBO continues to shape the landscape of the entertainment industry, all of which is brought directly to regional viewers through OSN+'s exclusive partnership. Select Emmy-nominated HBO titles available on OSN+: The Penguin – 24 Nominations The White Lotus Season 3 – 23 Nominations The Last of Us Season 2- 16 Nominations The Pitt – 13 Nominations Hacks Season 4- 14 Nominations As the exclusive distributor of HBO content in the region, OSN+ continues to solidify its position as the go-to destination for critically acclaimed entertainment. With HBO titles consistently among the most watched on OSN+, the platform remains at the forefront of the region's evolving viewing habits. ' Audiences across the MENA region are increasingly shaping global viewing trends, with a growing appetite for elevated, cinematic content, ' said Elie Habib, CEO of Anghami and OSN+. ' These Emmy® nominations highlight the strength of HBO's storytelling and reflect our shared mission to bring the very best in entertainment to viewers across the region. ' All nominated titles and more from HBO are available on OSN+ and OSNtv, giving viewers across the region unparalleled access to the home of cinematic storytelling, world-class performances, as well as some of the most acclaimed TV and movies to date.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ahmed El Fishawy to Star in Film "Saffah Al-Tagamoa"
Yara Sameh Egyptian actor Ahmed El Fishawy is attached to star in the film "The Fifth Settlement Murderer" ("Saffah Al-Tagamoa"), where he plays Karim Selim, known in the media as the Saffah Al-Tagamoa. El Fishawy announced the news on social media, alongside sharing the poster of the film. "Wait for Karim in 'Saffah Al-Tagamoa," a film written and directed by Mohamed Salah Al-Azab and produced by Ahmed El Sobky," he wrote on Instagram . This is the second project to be developed about the murderer. In June 2024, Azab, the scribe of the crime TV series "Saffah Al Giza", is penning the series. The 8-episode show is produced by Ahmed El Sobky and has actor Hassan El Raddad lined up to take the lead role. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ahmad AlFishawy (@fishawyofficial) Dubbed "the Fifth Settlement Murderer", in connection with a luxurious gated community on the outskirts of Cairo where he lived and killed his victims, a 36-year-old man, named Karim Selim, holder of a US passport, admitted during interrogation that he killed an unidentified number of women, other than the three whose bodies were discovered earlier this month. In the following weeks, the bodies of the women were discovered separately, each unclothed in deserted areas in provinces outside Cairo, as their clothes were extracted in other faraway areas afterward. The autopsy reports suggest that the three women were killed by the same person, as all showed similar signs of torture, including strangulation and flogging wounds. The evidence against the perpetrator also included a fingerprint on one of the women's clothes. Laboratory tests of the components of their stomach and blood further indicated narcotics in their system. Following investigations and the examination of CCTV footage in the areas leading to the location of the bodies, security forces managed to identify and apprehend the suspect. The authorities confiscated two mobile phones and a laptop belonging to him on which he videotaped the incidents committed inside a soundproof room at his flat allocated for his practices. The videos in question showed him performing intercourse with his victims after they died. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he knew his victims online, some of whom he claimed were courtesans. The suspect asked them to come over to his home ,where he performed unusual sexual activities with them before he forced the women to consume drugs and killed them. The suspect acquired a college degree from the most prestigious university in Egypt, the American University in Cairo, and had worked as a teacher at an international school before he quit his job. He created a TikTok channel where he taught American English. 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 Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Billie Eilish and James Cameron Team Up for 3D Project
Yara Sameh Billie Eilish is teaming up with director James Cameron on a project shot in 3D. Eilish announced the collaboration during her concert in Manchester on Sunday evening. While she was relatively coy about what the project would be, the pop star did confirm that she's filming something that requires her to be in the same outfit across her four nights at Co-op Live, where Cameron was in the audience. More details will emerge in the coming months about where the footage will end up — fans on social media were speculating that it could be a documentary, film, or even music video. 'So you may have noticed that there are more cameras than usual in here,' Eilish told the crowd. 'Basically, I can't say much about it but what I can say is that I'm working on something very, very special with somebody named James Cameron and it's going to be in 3D. So, take that as you will and these four shows here in Manchester, you and me are part of a thing that I am making with him. He's in this audience somewhere, just saying. So don't mind that, and also I'll probably be wearing this exact outfit for like four days in a row.' In the past, Eilish has released several films, including the 2021 documentary 'Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry' and the concert film 'Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles.' She is currently on a world tour in support of her third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft,' which was released last year. Eilish kicked off the trek in September 2024, touching down in North America and Australia before heading over to Europe. Following her shows in Manchester, she'll perform in Japan before circling back to the United States where she'll conclude on November 23 at San Francisco's Chase Center. 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 Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
