It’s almost time for fans to return to Hogwarts, as the release date for HBO’s Harry Potter series creeps closer.
The show, which will reimagine J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World for a new generation, is set to premiere this Christmas with a fresh take on the author’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Dominic McLaughlin will play the titular wizard, taking over from Daniel Radcliffe. Originally from Lanarkshire, the young actor beat out more than 32,000 other children to land the role, with his previous credits including Sky film Grow, which he starred in alongside Nick Frost, the new Rubeus Hagrid.
The open casting call found the perfect Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, respectively. As for the professors and parents in Harry Potter, notable cast members include John Lithgow as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall, with Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as Harry’s Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley.
With so many new names and faces set to appear in the HBO series, here is the full cast for the show side by side with their film equivalent.
29. Pomona Sprout — Sirine Saba (TV) & Miriam Margolyes (films)
Originally played in the films by Miriam Margolyes, Sirine Saba will take over the role of Herbology professor Pomona Sprout for HBO’s new show. Saba is largely a theatre actress and has performed in productions such as The Tempest, The Winter's Tale and more. | Getty Images
30. Rolanda Hooch — Louise Brealey (TV) & Zoë Wanamaker (films)
Hogwarts’ flying instructor, Madam Rolanda Hooch, will be played by Sherlock actress and professional journalist Louise Brealey. Madam Hooch appeared in just the first Potter film, where she was portrayed by Zoë Wanamaker. | Getty Images
31. Poppy Pomfrey — Bríd Brennan (TV) & Gemma Jones (films)
Bríd Brennan will appear as Poppy Pomfrey, the head healer at Hogwarts. Seen in three of the films, where she was played by Gemma Jones, Brennan has won a number of awards for her stage roles, with on screen credits including Trespasses, My Sailor, My Love and more. | Signature Entertainment/Getty Images
32. Cuthbert Binns — Richard Durden (TV)
A character omitted from the films, Richard Durden will have the pleasure of bringing History of Magic professor Cuthbert Binns to life in the new Harry Potter show. Ironically so, since Professor Binns is a ghost. He taught until he dropped. As for Durden, he has been acting since the late 1960s with on-screen credits including Churchill, Oliver Twist, Agatha Raisin and more. | Getty Images