HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series has cast Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter, while confirming that Charlie Weasley will make his on-screen debut in the adaptation.
Jasper Talbot will play James Potter, with Hannah Chinn portraying his wife, Lily, in the series based on JK Rowling’s fantasy novels.
The couple are murdered by the evil wizard Lord Voldemort before the main story begins, with Lily sacrificing herself to protect their infant son. The attack leaves Harry with his famous lightning-shaped scar and sets the events of the novels in motion.
James and Lily also appear in the original Harry Potter films (played by Geraldine Somerville and Adrian Rawlins), including in flashbacks, although it is not yet known how prominent their roles will be in the new series.
Meanwhile, Harry Gilby has been cast as Charlie Weasley, the second eldest son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, marking the character’s first appearance on screen.
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A former Hogwarts student who works with dragons in Romania, Charlie was absent from the original film adaptations. Although he is mentioned in the novels and makes occasional appearances, he is best known as the older brother of Ron Weasley, one of the story’s three central characters.
The new cast members were revealed in a post to the HBO Max Instagram on Monday, which read: “The magical family is growing.”
The show aims to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s novels while providing a wider insight into the magical wizarding world beyond that depicted in the hit film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2011.
An official logline reads: “There is nothing special about Harry Potter – or so his Aunt Petunia tells him. But when a mysterious letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrives, it opens the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship and adventure. Yet behind Hogwarts’ enchanted walls lie dark secrets. Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all. “
The three main characters – young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger – are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton.
The cast also includes Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and US actor John Lithgow as the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore.
The first season of the HBO show will launch this Christmas and has been adapted from Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
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