New Faces for Hogwarts: Harry, Ron, and Hermione Cast

The stage is set for a fresh take on the magical world of Harry Potter, as three young actors have been chosen to bring the iconic trio to life. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will step into the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively, for an upcoming TV series that promises to span at least a decade. The search for these pivotal roles was extensive, with over 32, 000 children from the UK and Ireland vying for the chance to play Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The casting directors, Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, led an inclusive and diverse search, inviting children aged between nine and 11 as of April 2025 to audition. The process was thorough, requiring candidates to submit videos performing a short story or poem and talking about themselves and a loved one. The chosen actors are all relatively new to the TV scene. McLaughlin has a role in an upcoming BBC action-adventure series, while Stanton has experience performing in London's West End. Stout, on the other hand, is a newcomer with limited acting experience. Their journey to Hogwarts begins this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, with the first season set to air in 2026. The series aims to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved books, with a mix of new and familiar faces. Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Nick Frost have been cast as Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hagrid, respectively. The series is executive produced by J. K. Rowling, who has faced controversy for her remarks on trans rights. It will air on HBO Max, which has undergone a rebranding. The showrunner, Francesca Gardiner, and director, Mark Mylod, expressed their excitement about the cast. They praised the actors' talent and thanked all the children who auditioned, highlighting the abundance of young talent discovered during the process. The upcoming series is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter franchise and the magic it continues to inspire. The casting process was not just about finding the right faces but also about ensuring diversity and inclusivity. The callout specified that agents should submit performers without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This approach reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry towards more representative casting. The series is a collaboration between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television. It is written and executive produced by Gardiner, with Mylod directing multiple episodes. The executive production team also includes Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman. The anticipation for the series is high, and fans are eager to see how this new generation of actors will bring the magical world of Harry Potter to life.