Arabella Stanton hailed as perfect Hermione for Harry Potter series, after audition tape goes viral
An audition tape featuring Arabella Stanton, the actress cast as Hermione Granger in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, has captivated fans and drawn widespread comparisons to the original portrayal by Emma Watson.
The 11-year-old Stanton, who has already gained acclaim for her lead role as Matilda in London's West End production of Matilda the Musical from 2023 to 2024, appears in the resurfaced footage showing her auditioning for the role of Hermione. While it is unclear if the video is her official audition for the Harry Potter series, viewers on social media were quick to praise her performance, noting striking similarities to Watson's interpretation of the character.
On TikTok, fans expressed astonishment, with one user commenting, 'Are we sure she wasn't lip syncing Emma Watson's audio? That was uncanny.' Another wrote, 'Yeah that's Hermione Granger 100 percent. The facial expressions, the attitude, the tone. Nailed it.' Others echoed the sentiment, stating the clip should put any doubts about her casting 'to rest.'
Fans have also compared Stanton's performance to a blend of Emma Watson and Jenna Ortega, applauding her for capturing the essence of the beloved book character. 'She's literally PERFECT for this role! I wasn't so excited they were remaking HP but I'm kinda looking forward to it now,' commented one viewer.
The casting for the highly anticipated series was announced earlier this week, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry Potter and Alastair Stout cast as Ron Weasley. Creator J.K. Rowling praised the young leads as 'wonderful,' stating she 'couldn't be happier' with the choices.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the extensive casting process led by Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, saying, 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.'
The series will also feature veteran actors including Nick Frost, John Lithgow, and Paul Whitehouse, adding further excitement to the project.
The enthusiasm surrounding Stanton's audition tape highlights the anticipation and high expectations for HBO's new take on the Harry Potter universe.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Nobody's content with the 'content'
Recently, Fahad Mustafa's old comments against family vlogging and the overuse of the word 'content' resurfaced online and caused an uproar among Tiktokers and YouTubers. "'Content' is the most overrated word in this country. There is no such thing as content. Everyone is selling their families. They haven't even left graveyards alone. They go to their mother's grave, and record themselves saying I'm missing my mother, please pray for her. What kind of 'content' is this?" Mustafa had said when asked about sharing the screen with digital content creators during a TV appearance. "I can tell a good or a bad story. But I can't sell my family. I can't sell myself. If you go on a film or TV shoot, it takes time to do this. They can't understand that this takes us 8 to 10 hours since they live in a 10-second world." While the comment offended the Instagram, TikTok and YouTube content creators especially Rajab Butt, as Ricky Gervais says, "Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right." This back-and-forth has sparked a debate between the traditional media vs digital 'content'. But it's not a clash between Mustafa and Butt. The actor didn't even mention the YouTuber by name. The scope of this is much bigger than a forced, illogical personal feud. Content overload What Mustafa spoke about is a worldwide concern of artists in the face of countless challenges faced today. Be it AI coming in as a wrecking ball to destroy authentic human expression, shorter attention spans engineered over the last decade by social media overconsumption or the declining understanding of storytelling and art due to the aforementioned issues, there are already more than enough battles artists today are fighting to preserve their chosen media and forms of expression. This is not to defend shows like Mustafa's Jeeto Pakistan, which feed into the same Black Mirror-esque humiliation-in-exchange-of-gifts convention. But Mustafa has created work with a certain artistic integrity in film and TV both, namely Actor in Law and Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. However, phone cameras and social media platforms combined today have created an illusion that everyone is an artist, actor, or filmmaker. While the democratisation of the media has had numerous benefits, and this is certainly not an issue of gatekeeping, talking into a camera and showing what you cooked for lunch does not exactly require an abundance of talent or skill. There are many arguments to be made against family vlogging. The internet is full of stories of disgruntled and traumatized individuals forced by their in-house vlogger, be it a parent or a child, to be documented 24/7 for the sake of views. But the crux of the matter isn't even that. It's the fact that 'content' has replaced art, cinema and storytelling. The issues start with the usage of the word 'content' which piles up every artform into one giant automated factory where every creation serves the algorithm and the algorithm, in turn, feeds it back to us. It disintegrates the distinguishing characters of each art form and strips it of any value. This is why Mustafa's comments about the word ring true. If everything is content, then there's no difference between a feature film that takes years to produce and a bag of apples. This argument doesn't devalue platforms like YouTube which can be used for a myriad of purposes from education to art and music and everything in between. It criticizes the forced homogeneity of all art forms. And family vlogging is definitely not an art form. Casting influencers In recent years, even in Hollywood, we have seen a number of so-called social media influencers turn to film and TV. But none comes to mind when thinking about who has excelled and been recognized for their skills. One can bring up Logan Paul but he has succeeded in WWE and pro-wrestling is a vastly different kind of storytelling than film or TV. Films which star the influencers usually land on streaming platforms which again play by the algorithm and casting content creators becomes essentially the same as product placement or a gimmick to cater to the said individual's social media following. Earlier this year in an interview with Variety, Ethan Hawke also lamented the fact that filmmakers are being forced to cast based on Instagram following. He said, "Sometimes I'll be setting a movie up and someone will say, 'Oh, you should cast Suzie.' I'm like, 'Who is she?' 'She has 10 million followers.' I'm like, 'OK cool, has she acted before?' 'No, but ' And you're like, 'Wow, so this is going to help me get the movie made? This is crazy.' So if I don't have this public-facing [platform], I don't have a career? And if I get more followers I might get that part? What?" Just because someone is a social media 'content' creator doesn't automatically mean they'd be good at acting or creating any kind of art. The mindset involved in both is on the opposite ends of the spectrum. That ties in with another question: aren't most studio films made with the intent of profit and hence, they cast bankable actors to attract their fanbase. How is that different from casting a digital content creator? One response to that would be that the bankable actors can usually, if not always, act and do their job well. It's the same as when Pakistani media networks and digital platforms tried to make the 'Chaiwala' into the next big star after he went viral for his looks. It didn't work. As a filmmaker, there's a massive difference between working with trained professionals and amateur enthusiasts. Most of the time, the lack of understanding of the process results in a low-calibre work. But we live in a world where everyone only wants to be on screen and get those 15 minutes of fame. And if 10-second reels can do that, who would spend months and years to tell a good story?
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Niko McKnight, son of R&B star Brian McKnight, dies after private cancer battle
Niko McKnight, the estranged son of renowned R&B singer Brian McKnight, has passed away following a private two-year battle with cancer. He was remembered by his uncle Claude McKnight, founding member of the Grammy-winning group Take 6, in an emotional tribute shared on TikTok. 'This morning I found out that my nephew, Niko McKnight, passed away,' Claude said in the video. 'He'd been bravely battling cancer for the past two years or so. Niko was one of those amazing kids—quirky, curious, and ridiculously talented.' Known for his artistic gifts, Niko was a singer, guitarist, and photographer who touched many with his creativity. Despite a strained relationship with his father, he remained close with other family members. His uncle described him as someone people naturally gravitated toward, highlighting his musical and visual artistry. Niko's passing has reignited public discussion about his complex family history. Brian McKnight has been criticized in recent years for distancing himself from his older children, including Niko. In 2024, controversy resurfaced when Brian referred to Niko and his siblings as 'products of sin' in a now-deleted post, further deepening the estrangement. As tributes pour in from friends and relatives, Niko is being remembered not for the controversy, but for the joy, talent, and light he brought into the world. His creative legacy lives on through his art and the memories he leaves behind. May he rest in peace.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Kylie Jenner pokes fun at Timothée Chalamet's Knicks obsession by resharing Sex and the City TikTok
Kylie Jenner shared a humorous nod to her boyfriend Timothée Chalamet's passion for the New York Knicks by reposting a classic Sex and the City clip on TikTok. The scene, originally from the HBO series, features characters Samantha and Carrie discussing the impact of a Knicks win on their love lives. The couple attended the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals game against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks secured a 111-94 victory. This win was crucial, though the team still needs to win two more games to advance to the NBA Finals. Jenner and Chalamet have been regulars at Knicks games this season, with the actor even appearing at a game in Indianapolis earlier in the week. TikTok. Fans quickly praised Jenner's TikTok repost, with many calling it 'gold' and sharing amusement at Chalamet's intense Knicks fandom. The couple's public appearances at basketball games follow their recent red carpet debut at the 70th annual David Di Donatello Awards in Italy. Jenner, 27, and Chalamet, 29, have kept a relatively low profile during awards season despite his multiple nominations for his role in A Complete Unknown. Sources told Us Weekly that Jenner and Chalamet are 'practically living together,' with the actor frequently staying at her home when not working. The insider added that Jenner feels confident and calm in the relationship, which differs from her past experiences. Another source told Entertainment Tonight that Jenner is 'so in love' and enjoys learning about Chalamet's world, appreciating the fresh dynamic he brings to her life. Notably, Jenner has expressed to close friends that she hopes to have another baby with Chalamet in the future. The Knicks will face the Pacers again in Game 6 on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
