Latest news with #DefenceAgainstTheDarkArts
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harry Potter fans brand Emma Watson replacement 'perfect' after clip resurfaces
Arabella Stanton will take over from Emma Watson in the TV adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books, with a resurfaced clip showing her in action Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to play the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Joining them will be John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, respectively. Meanwhile, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will portray Squib caretaker Argus Filch. While some viewers have already threatened to shun the new series due to Rowling's anti-trans views, others are eagerly awaiting further details. Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's impressive acting career has been thrust into the spotlight. The star portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day. The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage down the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage. Fans are in a frenzy over Arabella's casting in a new role. A clip of her performance has gone viral, currently boasting over 33,000 views. Admirers are unanimous in their praise, calling her portrayal of Hermione "perfect". One remarked, "From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione. " Another enthused: "So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect." "I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," chimed in another fan. A fourth contributed: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor." "SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," declared another supporter. One person added: "Cryingggg I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect." The up-and-coming actress also made waves starring in the 2024 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, where she played Control. Last year, Arabella paid homage to her performance as Matilda on an Instagram account run by her parents, recalling: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final)." Expressing her gratitude, she added: "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!" The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Harry Potter fans say same thing about casting as clip of new Hermione actress resurfaces
Harry Potter fans have all been left saying the same thing after a clip of Arabella Stanton playing the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to portray the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The trio will join an impressive cast that includes John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall, respectively. In addition, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will play Squib caretaker Argus Filch. While some viewers have already threatened to boycott the new series due to Rowling's controversial views on transgender issues, others are eagerly awaiting further details. Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's remarkable acting career has come into focus. The star previously portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day. The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage through the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage. After the performance went viral with over 33,000 views on YouTube, fans unanimously praised Arabella's casting as "perfect". "From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione," one admirer remarked. "So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect," another fan expressed. "I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," commented a third viewer. A fourth enthusiast shared: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor." "SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," another person exclaimed. "Cryingggg, I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect," another person added. Arabella also took to the stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber's roller-skating musical Starlight Express in 2024, portraying the character Control. Last year, she reflected on her role as Matilda on an Instagram account managed by her parents, posting: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final). "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!" The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
Extra.ie
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
HBO bosses speak out on Harry Potter series amid Rowling controversy
HBO bosses have addressed the impending Harry Potter series amid major controversy surrounding JK Rowling. The highly-anticipated TV series has hit headlines after announcing six main cast members last month, with many fans planning to boycott the production due to the original author's divisive views. The controversy follows Rowling's comments about the trans community, which have amplified following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. HBO bosses have addressed the impending Harry Potter series amid major controversy surrounding JK Rowling. Pic: Warner Bros. Pictures Now, HBO's chief content officer Casey Bloys has spoken out regarding the series and Rowling's belief system. 'The decision to be in business with JK Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years,' Bloys said during an appearance on The Town podcast. 'We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC. The highly-anticipated TV series has hit headlines after announcing six main cast members last month, with many fans planning to boycott the production due to the original author's divisive views. Pic: Karwai Tang/WireImage 'It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them,' he added. 'Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. 'And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.' The controversy follows Rowling's comments about the trans community, which have amplified following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Pic: Warner Bros. While they held an open casting call to find Harry, Ron and Hermione, some very well-known names have been attached to other leading characters of the franchise. John Lithgow will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall. Luke Thallon will also be playing Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will take on the role of Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will be Squib caretaker Argus Filch.
Metro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Harry Potter show 'won't secretly be infused with JK Rowling's anti-trans views'
HBO's chief content officer has stressed that the new Harry Potter series is 'not secretly being infused' with any views when discussing JK Rowling's beliefs, after immense controversy. The highly-anticipated TV series has hit headlines after announcing six main cast members, including John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Luke Thallon will also be playing Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will take on the role of Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will be Squib caretaker Argus Filch. Several fans of the original films, which starred Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, are planning to boycott the series after Rowling's comments about the trans community, which have amplified following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Rowling, 59, has lost a huge number of fans and been involved in Twitter spats with several celebrities over her arguments, however, HBO's chief content officer Casey Bloys has now claimed the upcoming TV adaptation will not be 'secretly infused' with anything. 'The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years,' Bloys said during an appearance on The Town podcast, when asked if he 'worries' about her transgender views. '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.' According to Variety, at a press event last year, Bloys said that Rowling was 'very, very involved in the process selecting' the showrunner and director leading the Harry Potter series. He also said that her anti-trans statements 'haven't affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff'. A spokesperson for HBO added in a statement that Rowling's 'contribution' to the larger Warner Bros. Discovery company has been 'invaluable'. 'We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance,' it continued. 'J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.' In 2020, Rowling expressed her views on an article which referred to 'people who menstruate', questioning why the term 'women' was not used. She then went on: 'If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth. 'The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women—i.e., to male violence—'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences—is a nonsense. 'I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so.' Her comments led to a wave of backlash with people branding the writer transphobic and explaining that it's not just cis-gender women who menstruate, while many who were once fans of Rowling's work saying they'd now distanced themselves from the author. Meanwhile Radcliffe shared in a statement: ' feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.' He added: 'It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.' Watson shared on X: 'Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you, and love you for who you are.' And Grint told The Times: 'I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men.' Stars including Bonnie Wright and Evanna Lynch have also spoken out in support of the transgender community. Several members of the Harry Potter movie cast have been critical of Rowling's views on trans people including lead actors from the original films Daniel and Emma, while others like Miriam Margolyes and Ralph Fiennes have defended her. More Trending Earlier this year, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav addressed the future of the Harry Potter TV show, revealing the intention for it to air for a whole decade. 'When we launch Harry Potter in a year, a little over a year, we'll have 10 consecutive years of Harry Potter, and be able to amortize that globally, around the world,' he said, according to sports media outlet Awful Announcing. View More » The drama is expected to launch in 2026 or 2027. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I feel conflicted about Paapa Essiedu's latest move after joining Harry Potter MORE: Inside Rupert Grint's private life after he announces 'secret' second baby with cheeky announcement MORE: John Lithgow 'received message from friend with trans child' after Harry Potter announcement
