Latest news with #TheLazarusProject
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harry Potter: Every actor cast in the new HBO TV adaptation
HBO's Harry Potter reboot has garnered the attention of muggles everywhere, as casting announcements continue. The television adaptation of the famous franchise was confirmed by HBO Max in 2023 and aims to be a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling.' The series is expected to run for a decade, with each season based on one of the seven Rowling books. The books follow the story of 11-year-old Harry Potter as he learns of his acceptance to Hogwarts, the esteemed wizarding school, and the adventures that ensue along the way. Filming for the retelling of the novels will start in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, this summer. According to Deadline, HBO CEO Casey Bloys said the show will likely debut in late 2026 or early 2027. There will also be some differences between the HBO series and the much-loved Harry Potter films. Characters will be the same age they are in the books, meaning Snape will only be 31, and the Dursleys will also be much younger than in the movies. It is not currently known if any original cast members will be making appearances throughout the series, but Daniel Radcliffe — who originated the role of Harry Potter — has expressed his excitement to watch as an audience member. Here is the cast of the new Harry Potter series. On May 27, HBO announced that after auditioning more than 30,000 actors for the three main characters, Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, Arabella Stanton will portray Hermione, and Alastair Stout will be Ron. The three newcomers' characters were originated by Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, respectively. The Hogwarts headmaster was played by the late Richard Harris in the first two films before Michael Gambon took over for the remaining six. John Lithgow will be playing Dumbledore in the series. Speaking to ScreenRant at the time, the Oscar nominee said the casting news 'came as a total surprise to me.' The deputy Hogwarts headmistress and head of Gryffindor House was portrayed by the late Maggie Smith. In the new series, Golden Globe winner Janet McTeer will be playing the part. While the late Alan Rickman played the role of the potions and later the defense against the dark arts professor at the wizarding school, Snape will be played by Paapa Essiedu in the forthcoming HBO series. He is known for his roles in Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project, and The Capture. In the original films, the gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor was played by the late Robbie Coltrane. The new series will feature Nick Frost playing the part. Quirrell is Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in the first film and novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. While he was played by Ian Hart in the film, the role will be taken on by Luke Thallon in the television series. Filch is the caretaker at Hogwarts throughout the films and novels, known for being an extremely strict rule-enforcer. He was played by David Bradley throughout the films, but will turn over the torch to Paul Whitehouse in the forthcoming HBO version.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Adolescence co-creator's next project will see Keeley Hawes as a nun in love
A new romantic drama series from Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne will see Keeley Hawes playing a nun in love with a man of the cloth, Channel 4 has announced. Hawes, known for The Durrells and Bodyguard, will portray Sister Anna in Falling, opposite The Lazarus Project actor Paapa Essiedu as Catholic priest David. Thorne said: "I never thought I'd write a love story, but I am very excited to be making one with the brilliant (director) Peter Hoar. "We feel so lucky we have persuaded the mighty (and lovely) Keeley Hawes, the brilliant (and also lovely) Paapa Essiedu and the most amazing company of (lovely) actors to come make this with us." The show, which is filming in Wales and Bristol, will follow the reluctant lovers who are devoted to the church and its community. They will be "forced to wrestle with what it means for them, their vows and their relationship with God." Also in the cast is Coma actor Jason Watkins, Heartbeat actress Niamh Cusack, Gavin And Stacey 's Adrian Scarborough, Susan Brown from Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and Vera Drake actress Sandra Voe. Hawes, 49, said: "I'm thrilled to be taking on the role of Anna and so looking forward to working alongside the brilliant Paapa Essiedu to bring Jack Thorne's beautiful scripts to life." Essiedu, 34, said: "Falling is a story that has Jack Thorne's singular talent of mining the sublime out of the ordinary running all the way through. I can't wait to work with Keeley, Peter and the rest of the team to bring this world to life." Thorne is also an executive producer on the six-part show alongside George Ormond and George Faber. Joe Donaldson, who has worked on Cobra, Ripper Street and Peaky Blinders, is the producer, and Peter Hoar, known for It's A Sin, The Last of Us and Umbrella Academy, will direct. Thorne recently co-created the Netflix global hit Adolescence, which was at the top of worldwide viewing on the streaming platform for weeks and has sparked conversations about violence against girls. The limited series, about a boy accused of killing a girl in his class, examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture involving misogyny and bullying on social media. Thorne and co-creator Stephen Graham spoke last month to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street about the issues and Netflix said it would make the series free to stream for all secondary schools in the UK. Essiedu, known for Gangs Of London and I Will Destroy You, is set to play Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show.
Roya News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Roya News
HBO casting Snape as Black in Harry Potter reboot draws criticism
HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot is making waves with its latest casting decision: British-Ghanaian actor Paapa Essiedu, known for his standout performances in I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, will take on the iconic role of Severus Snape. While many fans are praising the move as a bold step toward inclusion, others are raising concerns about what they see as forced racial diversity and how it may unintentionally alter the character's background. Critics of the casting argue that transforming Snape into a Black character adds new racial implications to his backstory, especially his history of being bullied by James Potter and the Marauders at Hogwarts — a white James Potter tormenting a Black Severus Snape. What was once a morally gray school rivalry now risks being read through a racial lens. Without meaning to, the story introduces the dynamic of racial power imbalance into a narrative that originally centered on social exclusion, not race. James Potter bullying the only black student at hogwarts in the 70's yeah sounds like a good idea — NoSoyDany (@_NoSoyDany) March 7, 2025 James Potter and Co weren't nice to Snape but this casting will fundamentally change the whole point of those characters if you give their bullying a racist undertone. — dr. a (@academicsheep) April 14, 2025 HBO will have a very bad reputation by the time they are on Prisoner of Azkaban! Here me out. Neville is afraid of Snape, hence his boggart is: Snape. Who comes out of a wardrobe? Snape... who now happens to be black. Neville is afraid of a black man. — BlabberingCollector (@BlabberingC) March 21, 2025 I can't wait to see James Potter and his other white friends to bully Snape, who is now black. I wonder how that'll go! Leviosa... — Pacosith (@Pacosith) April 14, 2025 Critics have also pointed out that instead of race-swapping a central character, the series could have explored the stories of existing Black characters already present in J.K. Rowling's universe—such as Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, and Kingsley Shacklebolt—who were often underdeveloped in both the books and films. Paapa Essiedu should not have been cast Severus Snape in the Harry Potter TV series. — Goat Herder 101 (@BillyGoat838) April 14, 2025
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Harry Potter TV series has ‘found' its Snape and McGonagall
Whether you like it or not, Harry Potter fever is sweeping Hollywood once again – this time thanks to a high-profile TV series that'll take over screens for a decade. HBO and Warner Bros are behind the new project, which, in their own words, is 'drawing a lot of rumour and speculation' about who will play the show's primary characters. The new series will be another direct adaptation of JK Rowling 's book franchise, with each book comprising one season. This means that a new batch of actors will be portraying roles previously played by stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith. Casting calls for the three young leads opened in September 2024, with unknowns set to become household names after being cast in the roles of Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. But well-known actors are being scouted for the older characters. No casting has been confirmed – but the rumour mill is in overdrive. Here are the actors reportedly being touted for roles in the show. Albus Dumbledore On Wednesday (12 February), it was reported that John Lithgow was in final talks to play the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. If confirmed, this could mean that Mark Rylance, who was rumoured to be a favourite of producers, turned down the role. Lithgow's casting would also come after Gary Oldman, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in the original film series, said he would be up to playing the role. Another name that's been bandied around is Mark Strong. When The Independent asked Jared Harris, son of original Dumbledore star Richard Harris, if he'd be up for being in the show, he shared a less-than-enthused response. Severus Snape Other actors rumoured to play characters include Paapa Essiedu, star of Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project and The Capture, who is reportedly in final talks to play Severus Snape. Essiedu has carved himself out as one of the most enticing British rising stars in recent years, delivering standout turns both on screen and stage (The Old Vic's A Number and Lucy Prebble's The Effect at the National Theatre.) It would be a shame to see Essiedu committed to such a long-running series – think of the roles he'd have to turn down! – but he would make a savvy choice for arguably Potter's best character. Minerva McGonagall As of 7 march, the leading name reportedly in contention for the Transfiguration professor, who was memorably played by the late Dame Maggie Smith, is Janet McTeer. The Oscar-nominated actor, who appeared in the unfairly cancelled Netflix show Kaos, is in negotiations for the role, according to Deadline. Another name being bandied around was rish star Sharon Horgan, the star and creator of Bad Sisters with Rachel Weisz also reportedly eyed. But ti seems like the role is McTeer's to lose. Rubeus Hagrid The most bizarre casting rumour is Brett Goldstein, the actor and writer whose profile has risen considerably in recent years thanks to the success of Apple TV+ comedies Ted Lasso and Shrinking. According to reports, Goldstein is being lined up to play Rubeus Hagrid, the cuddly gameskeeper played by the late Robbie Coltrane in the original franchise. Aunt Petunia Dursley Phoebe Waller-Bridge is supposed to be working on a bunch of new titles for Prime Video, but it seems like she might have to find time to ensconce herself in the wizarding world. The Fleabag star has, according to insider DanielRPK, been offered the role of Potter's spiteful aunt, played in the films by Fiona Shaw. Lord Voldemort With a new Harry Potter show comes the need for a new Voldemort – and it's been claimed that Oscar winner Cillian Murphy is being eyed for the role. The rumours became so fervent that former Voldemort star Ralph Fiennes was asked for his views on whether Murphy would be a good successor – and he said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen: Cillian is a fantastic actor. That's a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian." However, it's since been claimed that Murphy is being lined up to play Professor Quirrell in the show's first season, and not Voldemort. Sirius Black There's less pressure on the casting of Sirius Black considering he doesn't appear until book three – meaning his debut in the show is a long way off. But this hasn't stopped speculation that Ben Barnes will take on the role of Harry's godfather. The Chronicles of Narnia and Shadow and Bone alum told US Magazine of the rumours: It's been going on for 20 years that people have been very kindly saying that they would've liked me to have played a young version of the Sirius Black character in Harry Potter, but now it's been going on so long that I'm now the age of the actual character in the books. They're books that I love and at least half of my career has been based on literary adaptations that I've loved. And [Harry Potter], I see no reason why it would be any different, but I haven't spoken to anyone about it yet.' Molly Weasley/Ollivander A person claiming to be a TV insider on Reddit has alleged that Jessica Hynes and Peter Capaldi have both been contacted regarding short term availability for filming of the show, which will take place in summer 2026. While they noted it was uncertain what roles, it's been speculated that Jessica Hynes could play the Julie Walters role of Molly Weasley while former Doctor Who Peter Capaldi could take on wandmaker Ollivander, who was played by John Hurt in the films.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
HBO's Harry Potter series casts Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu nears Snape deal
HBO's Harry Potter reboot is finalizing two major casting decisions. Janet McTeer is set to play McGonagall, while Paapa Essiedu is nearing a deal for Snape. The series, a decade-long adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved books, is set to debut in late 2026 or early 2027. McTeer, known for Ozark and Albert Nobbs, would follow in the footsteps of Maggie Smith, who originally played McGonagall in the film series. Meanwhile, Essiedu, recognized for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, is set to take on the role of Snape, previously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman. They are expected to join John Lithgow, who has been cast as Albus Dumbledore. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner has emphasized that the series will remain a 'faithful adaptation' of Rowling's books, with characters portrayed at their canonical ages—meaning Snape will be just 31 when introduced. Filming will take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the same location as the original movies. The Harry Potter reboot aims to expand representation within the Wizarding World, continuing the franchise's push for inclusivity seen in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. With over 32,000 auditions submitted for Harry, Hermione, and Ron, fans eagerly await final casting announcements before the series' highly anticipated launch.
