Latest news with #Hogwarts'
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
HBO's Harry Potter reboot cast: Everything you need to know
Who's playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione? More than 32,000 children responded to a public casting call to play the world's three most famous young wizards last year in the hope of landing the role of a lifetime. Producers whittled down the audition tapes and then ran workshops and screen tests. The lucky trio have been confirmed as Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton playing Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. All are described as being screen newcomers, though McLaughlin is in Gifted, a yet-to-be-aired CBBC series based on Marilyn Kaye's children's novels about kids with superpowers. Stanton has previously appeared in the stage musicals Matilda and Starlight Express, while Stout's agent (which says he does a 'northern' accent) credits him with appearing in an Albert Bartlett potato advert. These are the most important casting decisions, as McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout will be expected to carry the show and deal with huge public scrutiny for years. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the Harry Potter show-runners, said of the trio: '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.' Who is in the cast? Like the films, the series is sure to be a Who's Who of A-list talent, with budgets that dwarf almost everything else on TV. The first performer to confirm their participation was the Conclave star John Lithgow, cast as Hogwarts' headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow, 79, said that he did not expect to be asked to follow in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law (who all played Dumbledore in the Wizarding World films). 'Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call 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,' he said in February. '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.' HBO has officially revealed its first batch of stars to populate the new Hogwarts. I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu has been cast as potions master Severus Snape, while Ozark's Janet McTeer is to play deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall, a role that was made famous by the late Dame Maggie Smith and previously linked with Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz. Other stars confirmed to have signed up are Shaun of the Dead's Nick Frost succeeding Robbie Coltrane as gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, while the role of cantankerous caretaker Argus Filch is filled by comic performer Paul Whitehouse. We also have our first villain. Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone who is later revealed to be under the control of the evil Lord Voldemort, will be portrayed by Luke Thallon. The 29-year-old is best known as a stage actor. Who will play Voldemort himself in later series is being kept under wraps, but those said to be in the frame include Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy. The confirmed Harry Potter cast so far: John Lithgow (Albus Dumbledore) Janet McTeer (Minerva McGonagall) Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape) Nick Frost (Rubeus Hagrid) Paul Whitehouse (Argus Filch) Luke Thallon (Quirinus Quirrell) How will the series be different from the films? HBO boss Casey Bloys has said that the series will be a 'very, very specifically British 1990s production'. The series is being overseen by Gardiner and Mylod, Brits who are both alumni of HBO's Succession. One need only look at their track record to know that the series will not merely be a rehash of the films. Gardiner worked on the TV adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials; while Mylod's hits include Game of Thrones and The Menu, a Ralph Fiennes horror satirising fine dining. It is expected that the series will be darker than the films, with HBO looking for a slightly older viewership than the pre-teens who were the primary target of the cinematic pictures. Friends of Gardiner – who wrote her master's thesis on the importance of darkness in kids' stories and has spoken of her dislike for patronising children – say that she wants to bring a grittier, 'Wednesday/Tim Burton vibe' to the series. Perhaps most notably, the characters will be the same age as they are in the books, with each series presumably following the school year. That means, for instance, that Snape (played by the inimitable Alan Rickman in the films) will be in his early 30s on the small screen. Essiedu is 34; Rickman, by contrast, was 55 when the first film was released. The exception is Dumbledore, who lived to the ripe old age of 115. Lithgow is unlikely to want to be working in his 12th decade. Is JK Rowling involved? Despite selling more than 600 million Harry Potter books and amassing a fortune of almost £1 billion (according to the Sunday Times Rich List), Rowling has become a polarising character in recent years for her public contributions to the transgender debate. 'That's a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we're going to get into,' Bloys said at an investor presentation in April 2023. 'Our priority is what's on the screen.' The 59-year-old author is key to the whole series: she serves as its executive producer and will have the final say on all the casting choices. Rowling praised HBO for 'preserving the integrity' of her books and said that the new adaptation will 'allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series'. Will the original stars return? Probably not. Many of the original cast members – including Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson – have criticised Rowling's trans views, while others (including Gambon and Rickman) have died. Jason Isaacs, who played the villainous Lucius Malfoy in the films, was asked about whether he would mount a comeback to the Wizarding World at the premiere of The White Lotus in February. 'I'm hoping to come back as Hermione,' he said, not entirely seriously. 'I sent my audition tape in and I've yet to hear. But they have my number.' When will the series be broadcast? Filming at the Warner Bros studio in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, is not scheduled to start until the summer, so it is unlikely that it will hit our screens before 2027.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
'Harry Potter' HBO TV series finds its Harry, Ron and Hermione — meet the new golden trio
Roll out those red and gold banners for three new Gryffindors. HBO has finally revealed who will play the lead roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in its upcoming Harry Potter TV series reboot. Newcomer Dominic McLaughlin will star as Harry Potter alongside Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. The three young actors will respectively inherit their roles from Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the original golden trio in all eight Harry Potter movies. The series is set to be a "faithful adaptation" of J.K. Rowling's hugely popular fantasy series that will 'dive deep into each of the iconic books.' Production is set to kick off this summer, and the show will release on HBO Max, though the number of seasons we can expect remains a mystery. '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,' showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod said in a Tuesday press release. '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.' The trio joins an already stacked cast for HBO's Harry Potter reboot. In April, HBO announced which actors would be taking on some of the magical school's beloved faculty members. The Emmy- and Tony-winning "Conclave" star John Lithgow will be giving the first years a few memorable words (nitwit! blubber! oddment! tweak!) as Hogwarts' headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Two-time Oscar nominee Janet McTeer ("Tumbleweeds', "Albert Nobbs") will play the no-nonsense Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall, made famous on the big screen by the late, great Maggie Smith. Everyone's favorite moody Potions Professor Severus Snape will be played by "I May Destroy You" and "Black Mirror" actor Paapa Essiedu, who inherits the iconic role from the late Alan Rickman. Meanwhile, actor-comedian Nick Frost ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz") is set to bring his signature humor and charm to the role of Hogwarts' kind-hearted groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. He'll be joined by acclaimed stage actor Luke Thallon as Professor Quirinus Quirrell, the nervous Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who plays a pivotal role in the first book, and Welsh actor Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, the grumpy squib school caretaker. Gardiner, best known for her work as a writer on "His Dark Materials," also serves as a writer and executive producer, while "Succession" director Mylod will helm multiple episodes. Rowling is also listed as an executive producer on the show. Here at Tom's Guide, we'll keep you up to date on all the latest news about HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Metro
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Here's what Donald Trump's £130,000,000,000 'Golden Dome' reminds us of
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Cartoonish, Star Wars, The Simpsons and Harry Potter – this is what Donald Trump's £130 billion 'Golden Dome' plan looks like. The US President plans to splash out £130 billion on a 'Golden Dome' defence system that looks like something out of a Stephen King novel. He is keen to spend the equivalent of Ukraine's GDP on the missile defence shield to fend off attacks from US enemies like Russia and China. Trump unveiled the dome plan in a bizarre press conference in the Oval Office yesterday, flanked by a cartoonish cardboard version of the proposed system. The plan is to launch US weapons into space for the first time to neutralise missiles. Despite the serious implications of the Golden Dome, its design has raised some eyebrows. People told Metro it reminds them of The Simpsons when a huge dome appears over Springfield after it becomes too polluted. The dome in The Simpsons Movie is lowered by an army of helicopters, while the Trump defence system will utilise more hardcore weapons set to be built in Alaska, Florida, Georgia and Indiana. While Trump's system won't be a physical structure placed above the entire US, the drawing resembles the menacing dome trapping a town and its inhabitants in Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' 2009 novel. King's dome is also invisible, cutting people off from the outside world. It is also deadly, killing one person instantly when they venture too close to the shield. People joked that the Golden Dome looks like a scene out of Star Wars 'The Phantom Menace,' which is not that far-fetched. Trump is not the first US president who has dreamt of a missile defence system – Ronald Reagan famously announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) during the Cold War, nicknamed the Star Wars program. Just like adopting the MAGA slogan from Reagan word by word, Trump appears to have been inspired by his predecessor's Star Wars plan. Some said it looks like a highlighter cap used at hairdressers', a contact lens, the dining pods that sprang up on UK streets during the coronavirus, or the Eden Project – basically anything spherical. The shape is the only thing the Golden Dome and the Eden Project have in common. Whereas the missile system is designed to destroy, the Eden Project in Cornwall houses thousands of plants collected from different climates and environments worldwide for people to admire. It hosts the Eden Sessions live outdoor festival every summer with a star-studded line up. It is hard to unsee how much the Golden Dome resembles the protective shield Hogwarts' professors spell around the school in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2. POTUS said: 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space,' he said. 'And we will have the best system ever built.' Trump's Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome land defence system, which shoots down rockets aimed at Israel. It was activated when tensions flared between the armed group Hezbollah and Israel last summer. Trump's ambition is to have the system up and running before the end of his term in 2029. While the dome might seem megalomaniac to anyone in the UK, Trump's administration is pushing ahead with it full steam. More Trending An initial $25 billion has been set aside by the US Congress in next year's budget for the project. Its progress will be overseen by General Michael the US Space Force's vice chief of space operations. And unsurprisingly, Trump took full credit for the project. He told reporters he had suggested the new comprehensive missile system to US military chiefs rather than the other way around. Elon Musk's SpaceX, Palantir and Anduril have emerged as the top choices to build the key components for the dome system. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Putin shows no sign of agreeing to ceasefire with rare visit to the frontline MORE: Major crypto platform hit by '$400m' cyber attack with customers issued danger warning MORE: Trump's favorite food and desserts revealed on Take Your Child to Work Day
Campaign ME
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
PUMA taps emotional appeal with Harry Potter collaboration
PUMA and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products has brought the magical world of the Harry Potter franchise to life with a limited-edition collection. Inspired by PUMA's sports heritage and driven by consumer-led design, the partnership comprises apparel, footwear, and accessories that are designed around two of Hogwarts' iconic houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Featuring richly detailed designs that take cues from the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch, the collection features tracksuits, jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts and two reimagined PUMA Palermo drops that include tasteful accents such as the Golden Snitch and Hogwarts house-inspired crests. 'With Harry Potter, we're not just selling products — we're connecting with a story people love,' said Jonathan Bannister, Head of Marketing GCC at PUMA Middle East. He explained that brand collaborations such as this aim to resonate with consumers in a way that increases brand value and brand perception. 'When you blend that magic with PUMA's sport heritage, it creates something that feels personal. That emotional pull builds stronger brand love and gives our audience something truly unique,' he said. The global recognition of the Harry Potter franchise inspired the collection. Bannister said, 'Harry Potter is huge globally, and we saw strong fan energy in the Middle East.' He also explained that PUMA took on the collaboration to allow consumers to express their identity through their style. 'The Hogwarts houses gave us a perfect way to tie identity into fashion, and that idea of self-expression really clicked with what our consumers are looking for,' he explained. In terms of the feedback to the collection from consumers in the region, Bannister said PUMA stores in the Middle East 'benefited greatly by the unisex capsule release which was reflected in the overall sales performance of the product range.' According to him, the success of the collaboration boils down to integral detailing that brought to life the 'Hogwarts persona'. For witches, wizards, and Muggles alike, the PUMA x Harry Potter is available on the PUMA website, flagship stores and selected PUMA retailers.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
First cast of HBO's ‘Harry Potter' series announced: Here's who plays Dumbledore, Snape
First cast of HBO's 'Harry Potter' series announced: Here's who plays Dumbledore, Snape Show Caption Hide Caption Super Mario, Harry Potter: An inside look of Universal Epic Universe Universal fans have new worlds to be fully immersed in as Epic Universe is unveiled with its five, unique worlds, ahead of its official opening. HBO has made its first casting announcement for its upcoming "Harry Potter" live-action series, filling fans in on who will be playing Hogwarts' most famous - and infamous - faculty. The identities of the six cast members playing Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Rubeus Hagrid, Professor Quirrell and Argus Filch were announced Monday as the series approaches its first planned filming date. 'We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,' said Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, in a statement. 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.' More: Harry Potter fans will be able to cast new magic with next-gen Universal Orlando feature Some of the newly announced casting was alluded to or leaked in advance, such as Lithgow as Dumbledore and Frost as Hagrid. While we don't yet know the rest of the cast, including the titular character and his group of friends, an open casting call was issued in September 2024 for the roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. It called for actors who would be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025, indicating that the decision may be made soon, if not already made. Filming is expected to begin in the summer of 2025. A release date is still forthcoming. Here's what we know about the series and cast so far. Six major cast members for 'Harry Potter' HBO series confirmed John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore as Albus Dumbledore Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall as Minerva McGonagall Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape as Severus Snape Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid as Rubeus Hagrid Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell as Professor Quirrell Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch What we know about the upcoming 'Harry Potter' HBO series The "Harry Potter" TV series will be released over the course of 10 years, with each season being an authentic adaptation of J.K. Rowling's original novels. Through a television series format as opposed to the films, the show will be able to "dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,' according to Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content. In a press event unveiling the show, Bloys added, "We truly have the time to tell more in-depth stories in ways the world has never seen before," noting that the series will "stand alongside" the films while reaching an "entirely new generation" of fans. The series is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner, along with Mark Mylod, who will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes. The series is also executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
