logo
Is 'White Lotus' Greg guilty of killing his wife? Will he strike again? Jon Gries responds

Is 'White Lotus' Greg guilty of killing his wife? Will he strike again? Jon Gries responds

USA Today10-03-2025

Is 'White Lotus' Greg guilty of killing his wife? Will he strike again? Jon Gries responds
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'White Lotus' Greg: Jon Gries on who could be the killer in Thailand
'The White Lotus' star Jon Gries, or Gary/Greg, discusses who could be the killer in Season 3 of the hit HBO series.
Have "The White Lotus" fans rushed to unfair judgment against Greg (Jon Gries), the husband of dead heiress Tonya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge)? Absolutely not.
Greg, now calling himself Gary, shocked viewers when he resurfaced in Thailand as the only character to appear in all three seasons of HBO's hit (Sundays, 9 ET/PT). Gries, 67, admits his shady character, one of the most despised on TV, is slippery and a "trickster," at best.
Yet Gries dodges questions about Greg's role in Tanya's suspicious Season 2 death. Greg had left Italy's White Lotus resort, allegedly for a business trip, when his multimillionaire wife perished in a suspicious yacht mishap.
If Greg was in Denver, how could he be the offender?
"If you wanted to prosecute the case in a court of law, how would you do it?" Gries asks. "It would be pretty hard to prove that I was involved in her demise. And I will neither confirm nor deny."
Jon Gries lied to family, friends about playing shady Greg in Thailand
To be clear: Gries is nothing like scowling Greg, and is friends with Coolidge in real life. Patrick Schwarzenegger echoed other Season 3 cast members by calling Gries "a loving guy to film with and, more importantly, to hang out with." Gries, who starred as Uncle Rico in 2004 film "Napoleon Dynamite," even lets his parrot Pablo (named after the character in the quirky cult classic) perch on his shoulder during a Zoom interview.
Gries was floored when "White Lotus" creator/writer/director Mike White revealed Greg would be the scandalous luxury resort visitor no one saw coming. "It was an enormous honor," Gries says. "It was incredible, even bizarre, to me that I was the one coming back."
On the downside, Gries had to deceive family members and friends to keep the state secret. The actor told everyone that he was off to the Philippines for a four-month stint playing a U.S. Navy crew member in a remake of the 1966 Steve McQueen drama "The Sand Pebbles."
"It was just bad lying while really sticking to my guns," says Gries, who says he was recognized in Thailand. "This local businessman said, 'Dude, I hear they're shooting "White Lotus." Are you working?' I insisted that I was just visiting. I was lying through my teeth."
The deceit paid off when Greg appeared in the Feb. 16 season premiere. "It was so hard, but so worth it," Gries says. He was surprised by the burnt-orange shirt and table napkin for the reveal. "Bold color choice. I was like, 'Holy cow, it looks like I'm in jail,'" he says. "Or it could have something to do with the (Buddhist) monks."
What's the case against Greg as 'White Lotus' killer?
Government employee Greg met lonely heiress Tanya in Hawaii, which Gries says was not an accident. "This was probably something that (Greg) was planning all along," he says. In Italy, Gries is deeply annoyed that Tanya has insisted on a prenuptial agreement for their new marriage. Tanya discovers that Quentin (Tom Hollander), one of her new friends on a yacht, knew her husband long ago. And she realizes in horror that the prenup only covers divorce, not death. In one of the most memorable finale scenes, Tanya kills everyone on the yacht and then falls to her death trying to get on a dinghy.
Greg, as Gary, is loaded in Thailand with his own yacht and a huge house near the resort. His girlfriend, former model Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), shares Gary's version of his previous wife's death – the mentally unwell woman died after wandering into the sea. But Greg's evasion of authorities hits a snag when Hawaii spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), who was close to Tanya, spots him in Thailand. Belinda is suspicious and could bring righteous retribution ... or become his next victim.
Greg is staying alive in Thailand as Gary
Give the suspect his due. The dude is in great shape, swimming laps at his luxury pool. He's desperate to stay alive now that he has all the money.
"That's pretty much the essence of this character, to me. This guy doesn't waste his time. He wants to make the best of every moment," Gries says. "It's just about keeping one step ahead of time."
It's a valid theory that his character will be near the center of the violence in Season 3. The premiere gave a startling glimpse of the near future – a resort shooting and at least one body floating in tranquil waters. But as before, every visitor and employee at the posh wellness resort is either a possible murderer, victim, or both.
"There are many people who could be the killer. So I can say that Gary would be heaped into that group. But it goes across the board," Gries says.
The April 6 finale could be redeeming, damning, or the end for this mysterious character. "All I'll say is that it will get dark and downright twisted from here," Gries says.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Momos and Dosas Take Diners On a Journey Through Southeast Asia at Tapori
Momos and Dosas Take Diners On a Journey Through Southeast Asia at Tapori

Eater

timean hour ago

  • Eater

Momos and Dosas Take Diners On a Journey Through Southeast Asia at Tapori

On March 12, two days before H Street's anticipated Southeast Asian restaurant opened, head chef Baburam Sharma finally touched down in D.C. After developing Tapori's menu over Zoom for over a year, months of visa delays, and over 20 hours of travel from Nepal, Sharma headed directly from his hotel to the Northeast kitchen that executive chef Suresh Sundas had built for them. 'I just put my luggage in the room and came here, and we started prep,' he recounted. Sundas, who has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for his inventive cooking at neighborhood spot Daru, says that he and Sharma immediately clicked. They had been workshopping a complex menu spanning popular street foods from all over India and their shared birthplace of Nepal while 7,000 miles apart. But once they were together, those dishes evolved even more. From workshopping new ingredients, like pesto and pine nuts in the fragrant mushroom pilau, to finally having Sharma's expertise on South Indian techniques, they began to perfect Tapori's key dishes. These three represent their commitment to recreating Southeast Asian street foods from distinct regions in an American kitchen: momos from Nepal; dosas from Tamil Nadu; and bison phav bhaji from Mumbai. Sharma explains that while there are only two Himalayan snacks on the menu, one of them had to be a momo. 'The most selling item in Nepal is the momo,' he said. 'You will find the momo everywhere, every state... even in India.' The steamed dumplings from Nepal and Tibet are usually filled with vegetables or minced meat, traditionally chicken, pork, or lamb. For Sundas, the lesser known wagyu beef momo at Tapori is an homage to a food memory from 45 years ago that still haunts him. A momo shop a block away from his father's business was his daily indulgence while growing up in Nepal. He still smiles as he describes 'the smell of that momo… Oh my god.' He's been trying to recreate that 'texture of the wrap' and meat filling ever since, but he's never been able to without those 'pure local ingredients.' So he decided he would do something more original. Instead of a small bowl of richly flavored broth sometimes served beside momos in Nepal, the wagyu beef momos at Tapori come swimming in a chicken stock that is simmered for four hours and seasoned with Nepalese session peppers, garlic, and leeks. The wagyu filling is seasoned simply as well, with chili, ginger, cilantro, and a little soy sauce. The similar seasonings meld together the two different proteins, while a bit of cilantro oil drizzled on at the end cuts through the rich flavors. Sundas was laser-focused on producing the best dosa possible: 'Every single day we are working on it together,' he says. He had started his culinary career in D.C. in 2007 working at South Indian restaurants and he knew that he had to show diners 'the taste of a very authentic dosa.' He found many dosas in the District were more crepe-like. They were missing that sour fermented flavor and thin texture with a satisfying crunch. That's where Sharma came in. He had started his career in five-star hotel kitchens in the southernmost state of Tamil Nadu and had made dozens of dosa almost daily for 15 years. They create Tapori's creamy and fermented batter over two days. The process of soaking the lentils and rice for at least four hours and cleaning the grains 10 to 12 times is repeated twice before they are ground up in a specially-ordered, massive dosa grinder from India, which they converted themselves to work with an American power grid. Salt and sugar are added for an eight-hour fermentation period to keep the batter at room temperature overnight. Sundas and Sharma are also grilling up each dosa at Tapori right now, expertly spreading out and flipping 40 to 50 a day with an 'intuition' that comes with years of practice. The flavor punch of podi masala, a combination of seeds and spices known as gunpowder seasoning, plus a potato filling and nutty ghee that are added to the batter as it fries up on their grill. It's served with an array of stews and coconut chutney, though that crispy texture and spicy, fermented flavor makes it easy to eat on its own. Sundas says that labor intensive process pays off when Indian and Indian American diners tell him that the dosa is 'exactly how they got it in India.' Tapori is named after rowdy Mumbai street culture, so it had to include the city's favorite internationally-influenced street food: phav bhaji. The hearty snack is comprised of buttered buns (originally from Portuguese immigrants) and stewed potato and pea curry, but Sundas wanted to create a flavorful meat version that stood out from the chicken or fish dishes on the menu. After trying to source local water buffalo meat from West Virginia, he finally settled on bison from Texas that's cooked down with tomato paste, onion, minced garlic, green chili, and cumin paste. Cilantro and butter are added after a little over a half hour of stewing to balance out the heavy umami flavors. The buns add even more butter to the mix with a recipe that was developed in-house. The chefs are proofing and baking the buns themselves on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the total process taking about three hours. On busier weekend shifts, artisan wholesale bakery Uptown Bakers makes buns based on the Tapori team's original recipe. Why create your own buns half the week when you have a great supplier? It's the same reason that Sundas and Sharma fold fresh momos if they run out of their prepped dumplings after a long night of service. They'll dig into the dough and wagyu filling they saved for the next day instead of saying they're sold out, because they're devoted to making each dish perfectly for every customer that walks through Tapori's door. See More: DC Restaurant News Inside The Dishes

27 Chewy Items To Make You A Dog Ownership Genius
27 Chewy Items To Make You A Dog Ownership Genius

Buzz Feed

time2 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

27 Chewy Items To Make You A Dog Ownership Genius

A Toy Story aliens rope toy so your dog can feel like "The Claw" from the movie. And look how freaking CUTE these little guys are! Promising review: "Our pug loves this toy!! He brings it over every evening to play tug. He lost interest in his regular rope toys fairly quickly, but still loves this one after six months." —LauraPrice: $10.99 A refillable dog treat dispenser toy you can fill with homemade snacks or premade Pupsicle Pops because this will keep your doggo occupied while you sit through your Zoom meetings. Promising review: "Our Lab mix has always suffered from anxiety, fear, aggression with strangers, and breaks in routine. We ordered this product after seeing several ads on our social media. He LOVES it, and so do we! Super easy to clean and refill, long-lasting, and the treat refills don't smell bad like other dog treats! Our sweet boy recently began to lose mobility in his rear end and gets super upset when he is unable to get around independently; this gives him the comfort he needs to just relax and lie down while enjoying a treat!" —Elizabeth Price: $19.99+ (available in three sizes) A jar of Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites for dogs, which are packed with wild-caught Alaskan salmon and probiotics to help keep your pup's immune system in tip-top shape in between vet visits. Promising review: "My dog Charlie scratches and chews all over himself almost constantly. Since putting him on this chew daily, his symptoms have greatly reduced. He has only been using the product for a week, and every day shows improvement. I'm hoping in a few days, he'll be symptom-free. Furthermore, he thinks he's getting a daily treat and is so excited when I offer him his daily dose. I highly recommend Aller-Immune Bites!" —CharliePrice: $4.97+ (available in three flavors and six quantities) An engaging jumbler ball if your pup has seemingly endless energy (but you don't). This will surely tire him out and give you a second to just ~chill out.~ Promising review: "Toy is an entertaining, nice squeaker. Our German shepherd plays with this for hours. The toy is challenging to pick up and carry. All of which helps our high energy German shepherd burn off energy." —TracyPrice: $14.99+ (available in two sizes) An orthopedic dog bed with a removable, machine-washable cover and a wraparound bolster that your doggy will absolutely love snuggling up in. Promising review: "I bought the XL bed for my 55-pound husky mix. My dog prefers the bolster-style bed for prime cuddling sessions. The quality is top-notch. The center is extremely soft, and the structure of the bed is rigid enough to support my pup all day without feeling like plastic. Overall, this bed exceeded all my needs. He now has a bed in every room, and this one is by far his favorite." —DoYouHaveChangeForADollarPrice: $63.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors) A sliding sushi-themed puzzle for the dog who is super restless and gets bored easily. This will keep them occupied long enough for you to maybe even get some work done of your own! Promising review: "Our dog quickly figured out how to get treats out of this puzzle toy, but it is so handy because he loves it, and it calms him and occupies him whenever we leave. Love this!" —LinmarpiePrice: $16.95 A nonskid slow-feeder bowl because your puppy may be known to scarf down the food a little too fast and accidentally make themselves sick. Promising review: "Our Zoey was a fast eater. By fast, I mean her food was gone in less than a minute. As she aged, we noticed her vomiting and belching more, in part because she was eating so fast. Once we purchased this bowl, it forced her to slow down. It was perfect for our needs. She is enjoying her food, has stopped belching after eating, and we have not had any vomiting issues." —RobynPrice: $5.52+ (originally $9.99+, available in two sizes) A package of Greenies Pill Pocket treats so giving your dog their meds doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for either of you. I give these to my Chiweenie, and she loves them! A lot of reviewers compliment these pill pockets for picky dogs and cats that haven't responded as well to other brands. Promising review: "Two of my dogs require medication on a daily basis. There is no way I can manually try to force these meds. I tried another reputable brand of pill pockets, and they worked for a couple of days until my dogs realized that there were pills in them, so I decided to try Greenies Pill Pockets. First of all, the consistency of the pocket was easy to form over the pill. Then came the test of flavor. My dogs love breakfast and dinnertime now that they get the Greenie treat. They don't even blink. I love these!" —CiscoPrice: $8.96+ (available in four flavors, four quantities, and two capsule sizes) A hip health and joint-function supplement fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM if your doggy has arthritis and needs a little pain relief. Promising review: "My almost 6-year-old longhaired dachshund has had mild arthritis since she was a baby. I noticed she was having difficulty ambulating. She could no longer go upstairs with me, nor could she step up/off small curbs while walking. I knew this product worked in humans and thought I would try it with my pup. Wow! In one week, she's climbing stairs, jumping on/off curbs, and able to walk further. I give her two soft chews, and they work beautifully. Very affordable at Chewy. I will continue to keep my baby on this product." —MinniePrice: $17.83+ (originally $23.90, available in two styles and four quantities) A practically indestructible Kong chew toy you can fill with your dog's favorite treat so they can get all their energy out and enjoy a lil' snack at the same time. Promising review: "Being on the market like forever just might be the proof dog owners need to actually buy this toy. It comes in all dog sizes and has a lot of potential. For my rescue dog, it doesn't need to be stuffed with treats or peanut butter (too fattening). She loves it for the erratic bouncing action. A regular ball bores the heck out of her. Plus, she's exercising more muscle groups, trying to grab a hold of it. And the Kong is about as indestructible as they come. Buy it once and wait 'til the end of days before it wears out." —StephenPrice: $7.99+ (originally $8.99, available in six sizes) A level-two difficulty Hide N Slide puzzle perfect for the pup who has little to no experience with puzzles. This is a great way to introduce your dog to the world of puzzling! Promising review: "Love this! You put either kibble or bits of treats in the holes and slide over the cover. It gives my dog a challenge to find and eat the treat, and it takes her a bit of time to get all the holes emptied, yet it is very doable for them to figure it out. They move the slider cover with their nose, and I like the stimulation it gives them." —Nora Price: $17.94 (originally $24.99, available in two colors) A fleece pet carrier bag with mesh panels and a spring wire frame that's approved by most airlines so your companion can travel in comfort. I have one of these for my dog, and she loves cuddling in it even when we're not traveling! It also works great for transporting other small pets, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, and bearded dragons!Promising review: "Such an improvement over the large plastic carriers I used to use. Both my cats love these bags and will hang out in them and nap in them if I leave them out after a trip. I think they're just the right size for them to feel cozy and safe. The two entry points are really handy, too. I love that they fold flat for storage, too, since my apartment is pretty small. Would highly recommend!" —KatePrice: $47.99+ (originally $143.99+, available in two sizes) A flavored tooth-cleaning chew toy if your dog has stinky breath and you want to trick them into taking care of their own teeth, so you don't have to brush them yourself. Promising review: "My dog has been chewing on the Hartz dog bones that are bacon flavored for the last five years and has perfect teeth. Stopped her from chewing on my shoes when she was younger, too. Still keeps her busy at 7 years old. :) " —Glucas1211Price: $3.47+ (available in four sizes and assorted colors chosen by Chewy) A set of carpeted pet stairs because some of the shorter doggies may have trouble getting up and down off the couch or bed. Promising review: "I bought this step for one of our cats who can no longer jump up on the bed due to age, and it works like a charm. He took to it right away and is one happy kitty! These steps are well constructed and sturdy." —ShaundaPrice: $59.99 (available in two colors) A silicone food bowl mat for the furry friend who makes a huge mess anytime they eat, and you want to make cleanup a little easier. Promising review: "Both of my cats like to pick up their wet food nuggets and drop them several inches away from the bowl before picking them back up and eating them. I tried wider bowls to relieve whisker tension, but they still dragged the moist morsels away like it was freshly snagged prey. This mat is large enough that they can't drag it too far away and get my floors messy. Perfect solution. I don't put it in the dishwasher, but clean up is still super easy with a soapy paper towel, then quick rinse." —DaniPrice: $13.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors) A container of calming chicken-flavored hemp treats that are perfect for the doggy who gets panicked when traveling or during thunderstorms. Promising review: "My Great Dane calms down and remains calm to the point of falling asleep. One piece does the trick with her, but two really knock her out. She is just over 100 pounds. You get a lot of treats in one container, so don't balk at the price. Yes, sometimes thunder or the garbage truck makes her bark or wake, but she rarely even gets off the couch if she has had one or two of these. Worth every penny in my book." —MJBoyer8118Price: $32.99+ (available in three sizes and two flavors) A Zesty Paws Itch-Soother dog shampoo packed with aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamin E to help your pooch with dry, flaky skin. Promising review: "We used to use a popular name brand for our dog's shampoo. She never had any skin issues until last winter, when she got super flaky. We switched her to this shampoo and started giving her skin vitamins. This shampoo really helps moisturize her skin without leaving a weird odor, and a little goes a long way during bath time. It was definitely a great purchase!" —mm13Price: $15.47 (also available in a two-pack) A volcano and dinosaur hide-and-seek toy your pup will have so much fun taking apart. Plus, it's also a squeaky toy, so they will have the added bonus of auditory stimulation. Promising review: "My dog loves these toys, and he was thrilled. He just kept pulling out dinosaur after dinosaur! Six of them, and all of them decently sized. This really is a great value, and the toys are very well made and adorable." —TaylorPrice: $14.99 A West Paw chew toy made of a special nontoxic Zogoflex material — that is BPA-, phthalate-, and latex-free — your dog will love chewing on, and that won't damage their teeth like some plastic chew toys might. Promising review: "I have five dogs. One is a pit mix who destroys all chew toys in the house and has broken teeth on toys that were too hard (more money spent at the vet). My others don't get their chewing needs met because other toys are either destroyed so quickly or removed to protect my busy pit, but THESE toys last months. They are not so hard to hurt my strong chewer's teeth, and all my dogs love them! My pups stay occupied for hours on end with these. I ordered five large and my home became the happiest home on the planet. Definitely worth the money. Also, both Chewy and West Paw have such EXCELLENT customer service that you can't go wrong. Thank you, Chewy!" —SharlsPrice: $12.95+ (available in three sizes) A Furminator pet hair deshedding brush to help your doggo get rid of excess hair that may be overheating them in the summertime weather. Plus, you'll be able to see your couch again since it won't be covered in hair anymore! Promising review: "I am so amazed with this brush! I have tried several brushes and the bristles always end up breaking and they never get deep down to the undercoat. However, this brush is sturdy and no broken pieces after several uses! I love that there is a fur release button to get the stubborn hairs out of the brush. My dog gets so excited when it's time to get brushed and he was like a brand-new dog after using this for the first time!" —NicolePrice: $31.85+ (originally $37.49+; available in three sizes and colors) An elevated bed so your puppy can have the perfect spot to lounge outside beside you while you're enjoying your favorite book in the sunshine. Promising review: "My dog loves her new bed and so do I. She sleeps in it all day long. It keeps her cooler than any of the other beds she has had. She sleeps on it with her blankets, no problem. No more laying on the hard floor to keep herself cool. With this bed, she stays cool and comfortable." —4dogsPrice: $16.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors) A natural paw balm because you want to protect those precious toe beans from hot summer asphalt and harsh salt in the winter. Promising review: "We live in a condominium complex that hires snow plowers to do our parking lots and sidewalks. Unfortunately, they salted everything heavily once the initial plowing was finished. Every dog we've had in the 28 years we've lived here starts out their walks so frisky and happy, and five minutes into it, they're lifting paws and stopping due to the salt, which super-cools the ice, and consequently their poor little paws. One of my friends found this product and used it every winter with her dog, and always said how effective it was. So I thought I would buy a tin and try it. Yup! It's like magic! I work a small amount on each pad and in between her toes, and we're good to go! It's a reasonably priced product, and I highly recommend trying it!" —MaryPrice: $15.99+ (originally $16.99+, available in three sizes) A package of presoaked tear stain wipes to gently clean away your pup's eye goop. These are especially great for dogs with white fur, where you can clearly see the stains. Promising review: "I'm very impressed with these pads. A dog who was staying with me for a few weeks arrived with very matted, crusty eyes. I ordered and received the eye pads, used them 2x daily, and they cleared up! She loved it!" —AngelPrice: $11 (originally $12.99) An adorable raincoat if it feels like pulling teeth to get your pup to go outside when it's raining. Plus, now you won't have to towel dry them after a walk in a storm. Promising review: "So cute, and great functionally! Kept my dog dry during our last walk through heavy rain. The hood is a bit bigger than my dog needs; it falls into her eyes sometimes, but it's an easily solved problem and works wonderfully otherwise!" —JackyPrice: $12.99+ (available in seven sizes, two colors, and with or without a personalization option) An LED light-up collar so your pup can remain visible while it's dark out for extra safety. And who doesn't love a puppy rave moment?? Promising review: "These things are so bright, they're amazing. Our dogs run loose, supervised, around our property, and you can see the dogs from hundreds of feet away. Three dogs, three different colors, it's so easy to keep track of them and know when to call them back if they get too far. We only use them when we are walking our property with the dogs, but we go out quite a few times before I recharge them." —JustinPrice: $18.99+ (originally $24.99, available in four sizes and seven colors) A variety pack of dental chews in fun shapes so your doggy can enjoy a yummy chewy experience while also getting their teeth sneakily cleaned. Promising review: "My bulldog didn't want me brushing her teeth. The vet said to try these. Now I say 'whimsey,' and my dog runs to get one! She gets one a day and loves them! And she has great teeth! I am SO happy to have found these!!!!" —ChelseaPrice: $34.77+ (originally $38.99+, available in two sizes) And finally, a big package of freeze-dried beef liver treats your pup will absolutely go gah-gah over. My dog's vet has these, and it makes her actually enjoy going to the vet. Promising review: "At first, Willow wasn't quite sure about these freeze-dried beef liver treats. The texture gave her a moment of 'paws' (pun intended). But once she took that first crunchy bite, it was game over — she's absolutely hooked! Now, these treats are her go-to favorite. She'll sit, stay, and maybe even do a backflip if it means getting one. The 14-ounce tub is the perfect size to keep her tail wagging without running out too soon. If your pup needs a high-value treat to bring out their inner superstar, these are a must-try! Willow gives them two paws up!" —KathyPrice: $4.99+ (originally $5.99+; available in five sizes and in a pack of two)

Who's been cast so far in HBO's 'Harry Potter' TV reboot? From the Hogwarts trio to some of our favorite professors
Who's been cast so far in HBO's 'Harry Potter' TV reboot? From the Hogwarts trio to some of our favorite professors

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Who's been cast so far in HBO's 'Harry Potter' TV reboot? From the Hogwarts trio to some of our favorite professors

HBO's wizarding world continues to grow. The network is making new casting announcements this week for its upcoming Harry Potter TV series, revealing which actors will play key supporting characters, including Draco Malfoy. The show is set to premiere in 2027 and will be based on the original story but with major plot changes, and each season will focus on one of the seven books in the internationally popular literary series. In December, Variety reported that Discovery global streaming chief JB Perrette said the show is expected to be a 10-year project. That same month, Max announced on Instagram that production on the show would begin this summer at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, where the original film franchise was filmed from 2000 to 2010. Here's what we know so far about the cast. McLaughlin will be playing the iconic role of Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe starred as the character from 2001 through 2011. The Scottish actor, who is around 11 years old, is also set to appear in BBC's Gifted series, which is expected to premiere sometime in late 2025, and Sky's new original film, Grow. Eleven-year-old Stanton will play Hermione Granger, one of the brightest witches of her generation. The character was previously played by actress Emma Watson in all eight Harry Potter films. This is Stanton's first on-screen role, having previously starred in Matilda on London's West End in 2023. Stout will play Ron Weasley, the sixth and youngest son in the Weasley family. English actor Rupert Grint originated the role, starting when he was just 11 years old. According to Stout's online actor profile, this will be his first on-screen acting role after previously being cast in a commercial for Albert Barlett potatoes. Pratt will play Slytherin antagonist Draco Malfoy, who was originally portrayed by Tom Felton in the films. The young British actor is also starring as one of the lead characters in the BBC's upcoming adaptation of Lord of the Flies, the 1954 novel by William Golding. Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. The character has previously been played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the Harry Potter franchise and Jude Law and Toby Regbo in the Fantastic Beasts series. 'Well, it came as a total surprise to me,' Lithgow told ScreenRant in February. 'I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid. But I'm very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.' The British actor has been cast as Severus Snape, the potions professor at Hogwarts. Alan Rickman played Snape in all eight Harry Potter films. Essiedu earned several nominations for his role in the BBC's I May Destroy You and co-starred with Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. McTeer will play Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House and the deputy headmistress under Dumbledore. Actress Maggie Smith played McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies, while Fiona Glascott played her in Fantastic Beasts. McTeer has won multiple theater, film and TV awards and nominations, and will also star in the upcoming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning with Tom Cruise. Frost has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant who works as the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. Robbie Coltrane originated the character in the Harry Potter movies. Frost is most well-known for his involvement in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, which includes Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and World's End. Whitehouse will play Argus Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts. He was portrayed by David Bradley in every Harry Potter film. While Filch did not appear in the last two Harry Potter movies, the character does appear in every book. The British actor was one of the main stars of the BBC sketch comedy show The Fast Show, which ran from 1994 to 2014. The British stage actor will play Quirinus Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the first book and movie, which means Thallon will only be in the first season of the show. Ian Hart played Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Thallon has played the lead for multiple major stage productions in London. Flynn has been cast as Draco Malfoy's father, Lucius Malfoy, previously played by Jason Isaacs. Flynn starred in Netflix's sitcom Lovesick and is also known for his performances as David Bowie in Stardust and George Knightley in Emma, an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Isaacs, who played Lucius in the original Harry Potter films, reacted to the casting in a post on Instagram on June 9, saying he was "thrilled to be passing the keys to Malfoy Manor" and called Flynn "a brilliant actor." Powley will be playing Harry's aunt, Petunia Dursley, originally portrayed by actress Fiona Shaw. Powley, 33, earned a British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer nomination in 2015 for her role as Princess Margaret in A Royal Night Out. Her performance in the coming-of-age film, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, earned her the Trophée Chopard award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Rigby will play Harry's uncle, Vernon Dursley, who was played by the late actor Richard Griffiths in the original films. Rigby's acting history is a mix of stage theater, stand-up comedy, films and TV. On Instagram, the comedian said he was "thrilled to be playing the world's worst muggle, Uncle Vernon." Parkinson will play Ron Weasley's mom, Molly Weasley, who was previously played by Julie Walters. Parkinson broke out for her role in the British comedy series The IT Crowd, which earned her two BAFTA awards for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2009 and 2014. She also earned an Olivier Award nomination for her performance in the stage play, Home, I'm Darling, in 2018. HBO unveiled more cast members on June 8, who will play minor — but still memorable — characters in the upcoming TV show. Leo Earley is Seamus Finnigan, previously portrayed by Devon Murray. Alessia Leoni is Parvati Patil, originally played by Shefali Chowdhury. Sienna Moosah is Lavender Brown, played by Jessie Cave in the films. Bertie Carvel will play Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, who was previously played by the late Robert Hardy. For now, no original cast members or producers from the movie series have been announced to be part of the upcoming show. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry, told ComicBook in June 2023 that he supported the new show but was not interested in being involved. 'I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way," he said. "But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world, and I'm very excited to have that torch passed. But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it.' Several actors involved in the film series — Rickman, Coltrane, Gambon and Smith — have since died. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said that he and HBO and Max executives Casey Bloys and Channing Dungey have met with author J.K. Rowling about the reboot. 'We spent some real time with J.K. and her team,' Zaslav said during a Warner Bros. company call in December. 'Both sides are thrilled to be re-igniting this franchise. Our conversations were great, and we couldn't be more excited about what's ahead.' In a Warner Bros. press release in 2023, Rowling said, 'Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I'm looking forward to being part of this new adaptation, which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.' Bloys told IndieWire in November 2024 that Rowling has 'been fairly involved in the process of selecting the writer and director' of the TV show and will 'have opinions on casting.' On the April 30 episode of The Town podcast, which covers Hollywood news, Bloys defended HBO's decision to continue working with Rowling on the show after some fans raised concerns over her political beliefs. "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us," Bloys said. "We've been in business for 25 years. We already have a show on HBO from her called 'C.B. Strike' that we do with the BBC. It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter." Fan concerns about Rowling's involvement have popped up multiple times since the new series was announced. At the end of April, Essiedu, who was cast as Snape, along with Eddie Redmayne, who starred in Fantastic Beasts, and Katie Leung, who was in the original Harry Potter films, signed an open letter calling on the U.K.'s entertainment industry to protect the transgender community. While Rowling condemned the petition on X, she later responded directly to speculation she would fire Essiedu from the new series, writing, "I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store