Paapa Essiedu Cast in HBO's Harry Potter Series
The series will bring the magical world to life, with a focus on character development and narrative depth, and is expected to premiere in 2026 on HBO Max, with filming set to begin this summer in the UK.
HBO has unveiled the first wave of casting for its upcoming Harry Potter TV series, with Paapa Essiedu set to play the iconic role of Severus Snape, alongside John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall.
The series, set to premiere in 2026 on HBO Max, promises a faithful adaptation of JK Rowling's beloved books, bringing new depth and detail to the magical saga. The casting for the iconic trio - Harry, Ron, and Hermione - is still underway, with over 30,000 submissions received for the open casting call. The show is helmed by showrunner and writer Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession and His Dark Materials, and directed by Mark Mylod, who will ensure a cinematic quality to the storytelling.
Filming is set to begin this summer in Hertfordshire, UK, with the production aiming to delve deeper into the source material, exploring aspects of the wizarding world previously untouched by the films. HBO's adaptation aims to retell the Harry Potter story over multiple seasons, dedicating each to a single book, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the narrative, characters, and magical lore.
With a talented cast and crew on board, fans of the Harry Potter series can expect a thrilling and immersive experience, as the beloved characters come to life in a new and exciting way. The series is set to explore every corner of the wizarding world, and with Paapa Essiedu's casting as Severus Snape, the stage is set for a captivating and faithful adaptation of JK Rowling's iconic books.