Harry Potter fans point out one huge flaw with the casting for new HBO series
The actors playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the new Harry Potter HBO show have been announced as the magical story gets a TV reboot thanks to American broadcaster HBO
The announcement of the lead cast for HBO's upcoming Harry Potter reboot has sparked a wave of excitement from the fandom, but it hasn't come without controversy. As the wizarding world prepares to welcome a new generation of Hogwarts students, some long-time fans are voicing frustration over one major issue.
Harry Potter still doesn't have green eyes. Dominic McLaughlin has been cast as the Boy Who Lived in the new TV adaptation, with Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout playing Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively. The young trio are stepping into the iconic roles that were made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the original eight-film series.
While many were excited to hear the casting announcement, a number of fans took to social media to express their disappointment that once again Harry Potter's most mentioned physical trait in the books has been overlooked.
One fan on Instagram asked: "PS Where's the green-eyed kid for Harry?" Another commented: "Even after 25 years, they couldn't find a kid with green eyes to play Harry."
The criticism stems from the books' constant emphasis on Harry's green eyes, which are supposed to be a key link to his mother, Lily Potter. Many avid fans of the original novels feel that without this detail, certain key scenes don't make sense, such as Snape admitting he is hard on Harry because his eyes remind the professor of his former love.
A third fan hit out: "Physical traits matter. I can't believe we're getting another Harry with brown hair and blue eyes despite the author constantly pointing out his defining features as jet black hair and green eyes."
Someone else who spoke out in defence of Hermione's casting grumbled: "Our boy Harry on the other hand is never gonna get represented properly with black hair and green eyes. Brown and blue are apparently close enough."
The same issue came up during the original films, when Daniel Radcliffe was cast as Harry despite having blue eyes. According to a behind-the-scenes video featuring producer David Heyman, the star initially tried wearing green contact lenses while the first film was being shot, but had an allergic reaction to them and had to give up.
Despite the backlash, JK Rowling has voiced her support for the new cast. She responded to a fan wishing the actors well on social media saying: "All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier."
As an executive producer on the series, Rowling was reportedly involved in the casting process. The upcoming HBO series is being billed as a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved books, with each season dedicated to a single novel.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod have also spoken highly of the cast in a joint statement, 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."
They added: "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
You've been drinking beer wrong and it's likely you've been doing it for years
Beer lovers, this one's for you. If you've been drinking beer all your life, you'll be surprised to find out you've probably been doing it wrong - according to an expert As the sun shines, many Brits flock to beer gardens for a refreshing pint with mates, but it turns out we might be enjoying our brews all wrong. From guzzling too quickly to choosing the incorrect glass, there are several faux pas you're likely committing when it comes to your pint. Grace Daley, Cruzcampo's UK senior brand manager, has revealed that a traditional pint glass might not be the best choice for your beer, which could shock many die-hard ale experts. Grace shared insights on why Cruzcampo is often served in a chalice to keep the beer "remains cold" and maintain the "lively" effervescence, as opposed to a standard pint glass. Grace advises beer enthusiasts to sip their drink "slowly", engaging "all your senses" to transform each gulp into an experience rather than hastily consuming without appreciation. For those aiming to impress as a "real expert", she suggests letting the flavour "glide over your tongue from front to back". Moreover, Grace warned against storing beer in the freezer or exposing it to direct sunlight, as these conditions can adversely affect the beer's taste. Beer isn't just for toasting; it can complement a fine meal as well. Forget what you know about wine pairings - beer has entered the chat, and according to one enthusiast, Cruzcampo is best enjoyed alongside tapas, because "the crisp, malty and slightly sweet taste, with a hint of bitterness cuts through rich, full-flavoured tapas". But that's not all - the way we've been drinking wine could be all muddled up too. Heather Muriello, a savvy New York-based booze expert, shared her wisdom on Instagram to her 10k fans, promising to elevate everyone's wine skills, especially when entertaining. She suggested in her post on her @winefarer page: "Have you heard of the 20/20 rule for wine?" She goes on to reveal the insider tip: "Learn this game-changing 20/20 rule in wine. Chill your reds in the fridge 20 minutes before serving to unleash their complex flavours, while letting whites rest out of the fridge for 20 minutes to reveal their full bouquet and bright acidity."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Iconic Hollywood star tipped to play villainous Voldemort in HBO's much-anticipated Harry Potter series - after the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were revealed
One iconic Hollywood actor has been tipped to play Voldemort in the upcoming HBO remake of JK Rowling 's Harry Potter. Film-lovers were sent into a frenzy earlier this week as the trio of child actors set to appear as Harry, Ron and Hermione were at last revealed after months of waiting. Directors of the much-anticipated series trawled through more than 32,000 audition tapes before deciding on the lucky three - Dominic Laughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The announcement came after other members of the cast were revealed months earlier, with Paapa Essiedu in-line to play Severus Snape and John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Now, with the cast edging closer to completion, Potter lovers are waiting patiently to find out who will play the remaining characters - including Voldemort, the franchise's dark wizard. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Ralph Fiennes was cast as the villain in the original eight Potter movies and played the dark lord sublimely. This time around however, a household name in the film industry is the bookies' favourite for the role. Leading early predictions is none other than British actor Tom Hiddleston, according to industry experts at OLBG (Online Betting Guide). The 44-year-old is currently placed at 1/1 in the guide's odds, ahead of Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy (6/4) in second and Paul Bettany (3/1) in third. While former Voldemort Ralph (5/1) sits in fourth just in front of Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch (6/1). However a return for any actor who featured in the original films seems increasingly unlikely given not a single one has yet been announced. While stars such as Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Dame Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman passed away since they starred in Potter, a very public feud between JK Rowling, 59, and the movie's three main stars made certain they would not be returning. Film-lovers' hopes of seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint back at Hogwarts were all but crushed after the trio spoke out against the author over her views on trans rights in 2020. Rowling had stated her belief that women are defined by their biological sex and not their gender identity. The author later insisted she would never forgive the Harry Potter stars, with Rowling again taking aim at them just last month. Replying to a tweet asking: 'What actor/ actress instantly ruins a movie for you?', she wrote: 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.' But while cast members of the films have publicly criticised the books' author, HBO have backed JK saying she has a 'right to express her personal views'. Earlier this week, the multi-millionaire author took to X to express her delight at the casting of her new Harry Potter (Dominic Laughlin), Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton) and Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout). Responding to a fan on X asking how she felt about the appointments, she penned: 'All three wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' The three new leads are expected to start filming this summer after being chosen from more than 32,000 audition tapes from across the UK and Ireland. The new adaptation will be spread across seven seasons, equal to the number of books - although there were eight films with the final Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows split into two parts. The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three newcomers, when making Tuesday's casting announcement. They said: 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. 'We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sarah Jessica Parker stuns in a lace dress while returning to her hotel in Paris with co-star Cynthia Nixon - as And Just Like That's new season finally wins over critics
Sarah Jessica Parker looked glamorous in a black lace dress as she departed dinner at D'chez Eux restaurant in Paris and headed back to her hotel on Thursday. The Carrie Bradshaw actress, 60, looked sensational in a bejeweled number which she teamed with neon pink heels. She wore her blonde tresses styled perfectly into loose waves and carried her belongigns in a large blue handbag. The Sex and The City icon added a pair of stylish sunglasses as she headed inside her lavish hotel. Meanwhile her And Just Like That co-star Cynthia Nixon turned heads in an off the shoulder black dress which boasted a dramatic tasselled skirt. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She elevated her frame in a pair of stilettos and toted her belongings around in a matching clutch as she headed inside the same hotel. It comes as the new series has been dubbed an improvement from the first two seasons ahead of it being released on Friday. The Mail's Claudia Connell awarded the drama four stars, writing: 'After two disappointing seasons as flat as a loafer shoe that Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be caught dead in, And Just Like That – the sequel to Sex And The City – is finally hitting the right note.' The Guardian gave it three stars, writing: 'After two misfiring series, some of the old Sex and the City magic is detectable in this new run of the HBO spin-off. 'As it returns for a third run, there are signs that it's finally getting into its vertiginous-heeled stride. 'There is still plenty here to mock – and rest assured, we will – but there's also just enough of the old magic to make this a nostalgic guilty pleasure.' Meanwhile The Independent agreed saying that the series had 'finally started to find its groove'. They added in their three star review: 'The evolution, from controversial reboot to inoffensive serial, might spawn fewer social media reactions, but it makes for a far smoother watch.' IndieWire also agreed that things were improving with the third series, saying: 'Michael Patrick King's 'Sex and the City' sequel series seems to be settling into a groove. 'A groove that's quite familiar, if once forsaken. Yes, a groove worn smooth by 'Sex and the City.'' Collider, Time Magazine and Mamamia also gave positive reviews. In an interview this week, Sarah revealed Mr. Big's death on And Just Like That was 'really hard' for her to film. The actress addressed the shocking moment in the show where Carrie's husband Mr. Big (Chris Noth) died of a heart attack after working out on his Peloton bike. Mr. Big had been a staple character of Sex And The City and Carrie's main love interest so it was a risk for writers to kill him off. Speaking on The E! News Sitdown with Bruce Bozzi, Sarah gave her thoughts on the storyline. She said: 'Big dying was really, really hard to do both professionally and personally. That's not just a thread. It's one of the main arteries that you would struggle to do without.' 'It was really sad to say goodbye to that. It's not like I needed it for my own health or wellbeing. But that was a hugely wonderful story to tell for a lot of years.' Although Sarah does agree with some of the online 'objections' over how Carrie and Big ended up together, she still admires the couple's relationship. 'All of it was a mess, and all of it was wonderful,' she said. 'It was romantic, and it was a disaster. It was destructive, and it was healthy. It just felt really untethered. It was really sad to say goodbye to that.' Since Big's death, Carrie has rekindled her romance with old flame Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) who she was involved with in seasons three and four of Sex And The City. Chris Noth had his career upended in 2021 when he faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has since staunchly denied. The 70-year-old has confessed that he 'strayed on my wife,' which was 'devastating to her,' but added: 'What it isn't, is a crime.' Last year, he firmly denied multiple allegation allegations of sexual misconduct in his first interview about the charges that infamously put his career on hold. Chris, who has insisted he is still close to his former Sex and the City co-stars, told USA Today that any encounters he has had outside his marriage were consensual. 'I strayed on my wife, and it's devastating to her and not a very pretty picture,' he told the outlet. 'What it isn't, is a crime.' The former Law and Order star has been married to his wife, Tara Wilson, 45, since 2012. The couple were together for 10 years before tying the knot and are parents to two children - Orion, 16, and Keats, four. Noth said he has spoken to his teenager about the situation. More sex, more fashion, more fun... Just like that, Carrie and Co are back on form, reviews CLAUDIA CONNELL Rating: After two disappointing seasons as flat as a loafer shoe that Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be caught dead in, And Just Like That – the sequel to Sex And The City – is finally hitting the right note. The reboot has struggled to morph sex columnist and reformed serial-dater Carrie Bradshaw and her friends Miranda and Charlotte into menopausal midlifers without their fourth wheel, the feisty, sex-crazed PR Samantha Jones. The initial storylines prioritised diversity and social justice, while shoehorning in tediously earnest characters. But, returning this week for a third series, the writers seem to have learnt from their mistakes. Having watched six episodes, I have to say that we're not home and dry... but it's looking good. They have ditched the woke mess of the earlier episodes in favour of more sex, more fashion and more fun. In the last series, newly widowed Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, reconnected with her ex-fiance Aidan (John Corbett), now a Virginia farmer. Series three sees the pair embark on a long-distance relationship. Come on, there's no way a city fashionista like Carrie would thrive as a farmer's wife and the plotline has nowhere to go. Even their clumsy attempt at phone sex is a snooze fest! So maybe the writers will come up with a zeitgeist way of killing off Aidan, as they did with Carrie's husband Big, who had a heart attack while riding his Peloton in series one. An allergic reaction to Ozempic perhaps? Thankfully, a promising new love interest emerges in the shape of Carrie's grouchy new downstairs neighbour Duncan, a famous British writer with whom she has instant chemistry. And he isn't the only Brit bringing the romance. Late-life lesbian Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), following an unlikely one-night stand, ends up dating plummy-voiced BBC producer Joy, played by Dolly Wells. The Carrie and Aidan story isn't the only aspect of And Just Like That to stretch credulity – very few women pushing 60 teeter around in five-inch heels and precious few full-time working women (as Charlotte and Miranda claim to be) are able to meet for endless coffee/lunch/shopping trips at the drop of a hat. So, some scenes are silly, but others do hit home. Carrie's struggles with technology when it comes to her home alarm system and video doorbell will be familiar to many. Charlotte finding herself 'cancelled' by the 'dog mum' community when her bulldog is mistakenly identified as attacking another mutt in Central Park is also cleverly done. And it's genuinely hilarious when Charlotte and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) resort to desperate measures to secure the services of New York's most in-demand tutor, nicknamed 'the Ivy whisperer' due to her ability to get kids into Ivy League colleges. There's a nod to all of the middle-aged women rushing to get diagnosed with ADHD, while Charlotte and her husband are baffled by their daughter's 'poly' (polyamorous) boyfriend. The void left by Samantha is mostly filled by Seema (Sarita Choudhury), Carrie's sharp-tongued real estate agent friend. Still single in her 50s, she gives a professional matchmaker short shrift when told she needs to be more demure and dress in ladylike pastels if she wants to snare a man. Fashion is still at the core of the show with the actresses changing outfits several times per episode. Some of the clothes are stunning, others are just daft. An enormous cloth hat by Maryam Keyhani that Carrie wears in one episode makes her look like the Artful Dodger. Another scene, in which Carrie's sexy new neighbour complains about the noise her shoes make on her wooden floors, was clearly devised as an excuse to give us a set-to-music montage of her fabulous heel collection. Contrived, yes, but still frothy good fun. As the 'girls' teeter towards bus pass age, it's good to have them getting back to form – even though every single episode still leaves you thinking how much more enjoyable it would be if Samantha Jones was there.
