Harry Potter TV series makes 4 major new castings as production finally begins on Season 1

The Harry Potter TV series has officially entered production. Filming is now in progress at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, United Kingdom. After months of casting news, rumors, and quiet updates, the project is moving forward with more certainty. Alongside the announcement came four new additions to the cast, which gives a better sense of how the first season might unfold.

This version of the Harry Potter story doesn’t pick up where the films left off. It isn’t a sequel. It isn’t a spinoff. It goes back to the beginning. A full reset. The approach appears focused on staying closer to the original books. That means new actors, a new tone, and a different kind of pacing. The plan is to devote one season to each book, allowing space for scenes and characters that weren’t included in the movies.

Four familiar characters, new faces

The new Harry Potter cast members announced are Rory Wilmot, Amos Kitson, Louise Brealey, and Anton Lesser. These actors will portray characters that show up early in the story. Wilmot takes on the role of Neville Longbottom. Kitson plays Dudley Dursley. Brealey joins as Madam Hooch, and Lesser has been cast as Ollivander, the wandmaker.

None of these choices were introduced with much fanfare. There were no dramatic trailers or highlight reels. Just names and roles, shared as part of a quiet update. Still, the casting stirred curiosity. Each of these Harry Potter characters had specific moments in the early chapters of the books. Some brief. Others are more central. Their return here suggests a detailed revisit of the original material.

The actors themselves come from varied backgrounds. Some are better known in the British theater. Others have appeared in film or television, but not always in big roles. The overall impression is one of balance. The names aren’t chosen for nostalgia. They seem picked to fit the tone of the show.

Filming begins and the first image is released

Production began in July 2025. To mark the occasion, HBO released the first official image of Dominic McLaughlin in costume as Harry Potter. The photo is simple. He’s wearing Hogwarts robes, has round glasses, and has the iconic scar. There’s no setting shown. Just a single frame focused on the character. That’s all it needed to suggest the tone of what’s to come.

This new Harry Potter adaptation is working with a longer format than the films. By dedicating an entire season to each book, the series can explore details that were previously cut or rushed. That includes character development, quiet moments, side stories, and background dynamics that added depth to the written version.

The central trio and the surrounding cast

The core of the Harry Potter series is built around three new actors. Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron. With them are several actors in key adult roles. John Lithgow plays Dumbledore. Janet McTeer steps in as McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu takes on Snape, and Nick Frost has been cast as Hagrid.

Other roles have been filled, too. Draco Malfoy will be played by Lox Pratt, while Molly Weasley will be portrayed by Katherine Parkinson. It’s a mix of established names and new faces. A structure that allows room for growth and consistency across seasons.

The variety in casting points to a long-term vision for the Harry Potter series. These characters will age with the story. The show, if all goes according to plan, will span seven seasons. One for each academic year at Hogwarts.

Pacing and structure that mirror the books

Unlike the films, which had limited time to include everything, the series format opens a different kind of space. Episodes can slow down. Minor conflicts can play out more fully. Background characters may get their own arcs. Even the quieter parts of the books have a chance to be heard.

This allows for a more complete adaptation. Scenes that lasted just seconds on screen before can now take up full episodes. A side conversation. A passing reference. Small things that carried weight in the books but never had time to breathe. That’s what this version seems built to explore.

Timeline and release expectations

Filming is now underway, and the series is set for release in 2027. There’s no confirmed date. No trailer yet. But more promotional material is expected throughout 2026. Photos, interviews, maybe even a short teaser. These are likely to appear gradually as production continues.

The show has a long road ahead. With one book per season, the team behind it will need to keep pace while maintaining a consistent tone. That’s not a small task. Each season comes with its own setting, themes, and new characters. From the first trip to Diagon Alley to the darker chapters that appear later, the story shifts a lot from year to year.

Rebuilding the World of Harry Potter

This version of Harry Potter doesn’t aim to erase what came before. But it also doesn’t rely on it. The tone is new. The style is different. The faces are unfamiliar. Yet the structure remains close to the original. There’s a sense that the world is being rebuilt carefully, with space for both detail and scale.

What comes next is still unclear. More cast announcements may follow. Locations might be revealed. Viewers will start forming opinions long before the premiere arrives. That’s to be expected with a story this well-known.

Still, even with limited footage, the shape of the series is starting to form. It’s not a copy. It’s not a sequel. Just the same story, told with more time and a different lens.