Late Late Toy Show star cast in upcoming HBO Harry Potter series
The Leitrim native stole the hearts of the nation with his storytelling skills last year when he appeared on the Late Late Toy Show.
He has now been cast as Seamus Finnigan in the upcoming series, which Devon Murray previously played in the film franchise.
The IT Crowd star Katherine Parkinson has also been announced to be playing Molly Weasley, the mother of Ron Weasley, in the new series.
Other additions to the cast include Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge.
In May, newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout were announced to be playing the leading roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.
The cast also includes John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell.
HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series will be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's books. It has been reported that the new series is likely to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
JK Rowling compares Nicola Sturgeon to Donald Trump in scathing book review
JK Rowling has compared Nicola Sturgeon to US President Donald Trump and the Twilight character Bella Swan in a scathing review of the former first minister's memoir. The Harry Potter author accused Ms Sturgeon of being "flat out Trumpian in her shameless denial of reality and hard facts" on issues relating to trans and women's rights. The writer is a long-time critic of the former SNP leader and her views on gender self-ID. In her near-3000-word review, published on her own website, she accuses Ms Sturgeon, who passed gender reform legislation at the Scottish parliament Holyrood, of holding "luxury beliefs" that have caused "real, lasting harm" to women. Rowling published her review on X alongside what appears to be an AI-generated image of Ms Sturgeon in the woods in front of a wolf and a vampire. She said of the politician's memoir, Frankly: "She remains stubbornly wedded to her belief that it is possible to let some men into women's spaces on the men's say so, without letting any man who fancies it come inside. "She denies there are any risks to a policy of gender self-identification. "She can't imagine any male predator capitalising on such policies, in spite of the fact that it has, demonstrably, happened many times. "She is flat out Trumpian in her shameless denial of reality and facts." Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, said the Glasgow Southside MSP had not been "remotely humbled" by the Supreme Court ruling that sex in the UK Equality Act referred to biological sex. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Act, which was passed by MSPs, was ultimately scrapped by Westminster, with the then Tory government saying it contravened equalities law. In her book, Ms Sturgeon said she had never received as much abuse than when Rowling posted a picture of herself on social media with a T-shirt saying "Nicola Sturgeon, destroyer of women's rights". The former first minister said the post made her feel "more at risk of possible physical harm". Rowling defended the decision, writing in her review her intention was to encourage journalists to question Ms Sturgeon on the impacts her gender reforms may have. She compares the MSP to Twilight character Bella Swan, saying both were "monomaniacs", with Mr Sturgeon being "consumed" by independence. She says of them: "Both shy, insecure teenagers have dates with destiny. "Nicola Sturgeon will one day become first minister of Scotland. Bella Swan will join the ranks of the undead." The author said Sturgeon made significant omissions in her memoir, including WhatsApp messages from the Covid pandemic, education standards and the row over delayed and over-budget ferries. "Perhaps the most disgraceful omission - and I'll admit to a personal interest here, because I'm married to a doctor who used to run a methadone clinic, so saw the national scandal up close - is the fact that Scotland continues to lead the whole of Europe in drug deaths," she said. Ms Sturgeon has said she stands by the principle of gender self-ID but has expressed regret at not pausing her gender reforms in order to find common ground with opponents. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said the debate was "toxic on both sides". She accepted that "in all of the tone and tenor of this I am not saying I was blameless at all", saying she "desperately" wished she had been able to "find a more collegiate way forward" on the controversial issue.
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Games of Thrones star Kristian Nairn announced as final Strictly contestant
Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn is the fifteenth and final celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The Antrim-born actor played Hodor in the HBO fantasy series and is also known for his role as Wee John Feeney in the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death. 🪩 HOLD THE DOOR! Room for one more? Kristian Nairn is the fifteenth and final celebrity contestant heading for the #Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor More ➡️ — BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 15, 2025 Earlier on Friday, former Lioness Karen Carney was also announced for the 2025 series which returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September. The sports presenter and former footballer will join the likes of Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and model and CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein in the line-up for the series. ✨Sports presenter and legendary Lioness Karen Carney is in the squad for #Strictly Come Dancing 2025! Learn more ➡️ — BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 15, 2025 In July, the BBC announced two "incredible" new professional dancers, US-born Alexis Warr and Australian dancer Julian Caillon, will be join the new series. The popular show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas as judges.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Medieval UK town with ‘magical' castle used for Hogwarts in Harry Potter films set for multi-million pound investment
The medieval town that is featured in countless blockbuster films POTTER GOLD Medieval UK town with 'magical' castle used for Hogwarts in Harry Potter films set for multi-million pound investment A MAGICAL UK town, complete with a medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter films, is set for a multi-million pound investment. Once home to the beloved fictional wizard, the mystical site is about to undergo an exciting revamp. 9 The castle set the stage for Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films Credit: Alamy 9 The town is set to undergo a huge multi-million pound revamp Credit: crestphotography/ 9 Tourists flock to this castle to immerse themselves in the wizarding world Credit: Getty Harry Potter fans flock to famed castle Alnwick town, Northumberland, has long been steeped in history, but it was the medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter franchise, which put it on the map. The castle grounds set the stage for Hogwarts in the first two films, and was notably the location where Harry had his first quidditch lesson. Today, Alnwick welcomes tourists from far and wide who are keen to immerse themselves in the wizarding world. Beyond exploring the site featured in The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, visitors can also follow in Radcliffe's footsteps and take a broomstick lesson of their own. Harry Potter fans have even dubbed the day out one of the UK's most immersive experiences outsides of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Council reveals regeneration plans Now, Northumberland County Council plan to make improvements to the town in an exciting new regeneration plan. Last month, it was revealed that over £270,000 in funding had been approved to kick start a multi-million pound project. As part of the Borderlands Place Programme, plans have been revealed to build a new museum in Northumberland Hall. The council also revealed that this work could commence in a matter of months, subject to approval of other funding bids. The museum promises to boost tourism even further in an area that is already a popular hot spot. New Epic Universe theme park reveals fifth new land based on Harry Potter Beyond the town's ties to J K Rowling's famed wizarding world, Alnwick is also brimming with medieval history, reports The Northern Echo. Built more than 900 years ago, the castle remains the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Northumberland, with one of England's most powerful noble houses, The Percy Family, still calling it home. In addition to this, the town boasts many impressive landmarks like Bondgate Tower, Hotspur Gate, and St Michael's Church. Visitors can also explore one of Britain's largest second-hand bookshops, Barter Books, which is also famed for rediscovering the iconic "Keep calm and Carry On" WWII poster. Alnwick Garden is also home to Europe's largest treehouse restaurant. As well as welcoming a brand new museum, the plans also hope to develop a transport hub. With a further £90,000 approved for this, work could be well underway by early 2026. Both these projects, part of a bid totalling around £7.7million, have been well received by the community. At a community event held earlier this year, 84% of respondents backed the proposals. It comes on the back of the new 'Town Investment Plan' which was approved by the Borderlands Partnership following development locally by the Place Partnership Group. The Borderlands Place Programme includes up to £3m of Growth Deal and County Council combined investment Alnwick, and six other neighbouring towns. Once funding awards are in place, there will be detailed consultation with businesses and residents that may be affected by any construction works prior to them starting. 9 Alnwick is also steeped in history Credit: Getty 9 Regeneration plans include the construction of a brand new museum Credit: Getty 9 The council hopes to improve Alnwick's transport hub Credit: Getty Councillors express excitements for proposed plans Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Chair of Alnwick Place Partnership Group said: 'This is a fantastic step forward for the town, giving our backing to kick start significant investment in the town centre. 'Alnwick already has great assets including major tourism attractions and businesses and our aim is to bolster this by introducing new attractions to the town centre and making it easier and more attractive to visit the town on public transport. 'This is just the start for the Borderlands Place Programme with a range of new schemes in development across all seven towns in the programme we are expecting further projects for approval in Bedlington, Prudhoe and other towns later this year." While Alnwich County Councillor Martin Swinbank added: 'We have been pushing for improvements to the bus station for many years and I'm pleased to see this next step in securing new investment. 'The bus station is an important community facility and also the first view of Alnwick many visitors see as they step into the town." Fellow Alnwick County Councillor Gordon Castle said: 'Our tourism offer is an important component of the local economy and working together to bring the Northumberland Hall back into use, at the same time as bringing the Bailiffgate Museum into the heart Alnwick is a great solution." Jean Humphrys, Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery Chair of Trustees, added: 'This support is an important milestone for our innovative proposals to create a new cultural and creative hub in the town. 'We're working over the summer to secure backing for our exciting plans for this building to bring much needed investment into the town and a long-term home for the amazing story of Alnwick.' Earlier this month, Alnwick honoured its magical past with a screening of the franchise in the castle grounds. ChronicleLive reported that fans would be able to attend a special viewing where they could watch the action play out near the location where it actually took place. The castle grounds has also been the backdrop to countless other beloved films. Among the popular titles in which it has been featured, is the 2019 film of Downton Abbey, Transformers: The Last Night, and even the upcoming Mark Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins film. 9 The council hopes these plans will boost tourism even further Credit: Getty 9 The castle remains home to the noble Percy Family Credit: Getty
