Key Takeaways:
– Jared Harris, son of Richard Harris who portrayed Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, has declined any possibility of reprising his father's role in the upcoming TV series.
– The casting process for the new Harry Potter TV series has officially commenced, targeting 9 to 11 year-olds in the UK and Ireland.
– The TV series plans to stay true to J.K. Rowling's original books, with each season covering one novel.
– Gary Oldman (Sirius Black in the movie series) has hinted at being old enough to play Dumbledore in the TV series.
Hey, Harry Potter fans! You know how fantastic it was to see actors bring our favourite characters to life in the Harry Potter movies, right? Well, in a surprising turn of events, Jared Harris, son of Richard Harris (the awesome actor who played Dumbledore in the initial two movies), has clearly stated that he won't be playing the role of Dumbledore in the upcoming TV series.
Speaking on the Go to Bat show on The Independent, Jared was asked if he'd like to step into his father's shoes as Dumbledore in the TV series. His answer was a straightforward “No, thank you”, adding that he didn't see the point in messing with the films because they were already fantastic. He also hinted that he thought a TV series might not be the best idea, even though he acknowledged that the movie franchise left out “a lot of storytelling.”
Disappointed? Don't worry! There might still be a familiar face for the Hogwarts headmaster. Gary Oldman, remember him? He played Sirius Black in the movie series and recently dropped a hint saying that he might just be getting old enough to play Dumbledore. Exciting, isn't it?
Now, onto some more thrilling news for those younger wizards out there dreaming of receiving their Hogwarts letter. The casting process for the Harry Potter TV series has begun in earnest. There's an open call for kids who are residents of the U.K. and Ireland and will be aged between 9 and 11 in April 2025. The lucky ones will get a chance to play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
The casting guidelines emphasize inclusivity and diversity, requesting submissions from performers of all backgrounds. “We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting,” the notice reads. “For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.“
The creative team behind the TV series includes Francesca Gardiner from Succession as the writer and showrunner, and Mark Mylod as the executive producer and director of several episodes. Originally developed for Max, the series moved to HBO in June amidst a shuffle of shows.
The TV series format offers the opportunity for a deep dive into J.K. Rowling's magical world. Each season intends to cover one of Rowling's novels, offering a chance to bring to life several moments left out of the movies. The studio has reassured fans that the series will stick to the spirit of the original books while the beloved films will remain an integral part of the franchise.
So, Potterheads, keep your wands ready for this magical journey to start! And remember: the magic never ends, it only changes forms.
