The greatly anticipated HARRY POTTER series is inching closer as casting begins to firm up. A passel of rumors and plenty of wishful thinking have surfaced over who would get some of the iconic roles. Now official acknowledgement can put some of that to rest as confirmation that some roles have been set. Note that the biggest roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are not included here. A big talent search is in play to cast for those characters, and it might take a good while for those characters to be personified. Here is a quick look at what roles are filled to date. We already commented on John Lithgow’s participation here.
A press release states –
The HBO Original Harry Potter series has cast six-time Emmy, two-time Tony Award, Olivier winner, and BAFTA and Oscar nominee John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore; Tony Award, Golden Globe, and Olivier winner, and Oscar and Emmy nominee, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall; Emmy, Olivier, and BAFTA nominee Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape; and BIFA nominee Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. All will serve as series regulars. Newly announced guest/recurring cast include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and five-time BAFTA winner Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Just in case there needs to be a reminder of who the characters are, we include the following:
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Albus Dumbledore is Headmaster of Hogwarts during Harry’s school years. Originally portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Again, the series cast John Lithgow.
Minerva McGonagall is Transfiguration professor, Head of Gryffindor House, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and later Headmistress. Originally portrayed by Maggie Smith. Again, the series cast Janet McTeer.
Sererus Snape is Hogwarts professor of Potions and later Defence Against the Dark Arts. Head of Slytherin House. Originally portrayed by Alan Rickman. Again, the series cast Paapa Essiedu.-
Rubeus Hagrid is Half-giant, Hogwarts gamekeeper, Care of Magical Creatures professor. Orginally portrayed by Robbie Coltrane. Again, the series cast Nick Frost.
Also cast are 
- Quirinus Quirrell is Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in during Harry’s first year. When Harry and Quirrell both try to recover the Philosopher’s Stone, it is revealed that Voldemort has possessed Quirrell’s body. Harry holds off Quirrell long enough for Dumbledore to arrive, at which point Voldemort departs Quirrell’s body and Quirrell dies. Originally portrayed by Ian Hart. Again, the series cast Luke Thallon. (pictured, above)
Argus Filch is Squib caretaker of Hogwarts. Squibs were those persons who were “wizard-born Muggles” Originally portrayed by David Bradley. Again, the series cast Paul Whitehouse. (Pictured, below )
Francesca Gardiner, showrunner executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer of the series stated –
“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. We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
But the opportunity to see them is quite a way off yet, as preproduction and casting continue. We’ll keep you posted.
