HBO Max Casts New Trio for ‘Harry Potter’ Series Reboot

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HBO Max reveals fresh faces for the ‘Harry Potter’ reboot as J.K. Rowling’s controversies continue to stir debate online.
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HBO Max has revealed the new cast members who will portray Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley in its upcoming reboot of the Harry Potter series.

Announced Tuesday, the streaming service confirmed that newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will take on the roles of the beloved wizarding trio. McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Stanton will portray Hermione Granger, and Stout will appear as Ron Weasley.

“The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen,” said executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod in a joint statement.

A “Faithful Adaptation” in the Works

The new series, which will stream exclusively on HBO Max, is being promoted as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book fantasy saga. The author will also serve as an executive producer on the show. A release date for the series has yet to be announced.

This marks the first time the core trio has been recast since the original film franchise began in 2001. The previous actors—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint—rose to international fame for their portrayals of the three characters, appearing in all eight films.

Casting Announced Amid Ongoing Rowling Controversies

The announcement comes at a time when Rowling remains a polarizing figure due to her comments about transgender people, which have sparked backlash over the last several years.

Rowling’s remarks have included liking posts on X (formerly Twitter) that promoted articles widely criticized as transphobic, and publishing a 2020 essay that many labeled a “transphobic manifesto.”

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Former cast members have publicly distanced themselves from the author’s views. In 2020, Radcliffe responded by saying, “Transgender women are women,” according to The Guardian. Watson and Grint have also made supportive statements for the transgender community.

Earlier this year, Rowling appeared to mock the original trio in a social media post asking followers to name actors who instantly ruin movies for them. “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” she wrote, followed by laughing emojis.

Most recently, she faced criticism for sharing a photo of herself celebrating a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that did not legally recognize transgender women as women. She captioned the image: “I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”

Social Media Reacts to the New Cast

Social media users were quick to share their thoughts on the casting announcement.

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“I’m not interested in this reboot, but i pray for the safety and protection of these kids.,” one user wrote on X. Another added, “No matter your thoughts on this show Let’s all agree to protect these kids and let them be their own versions of these characters”

Meanwhile, some fans expressed support for the young cast. “Wishing them the best—must be so nerve-wracking stepping into such legendary roles,” a comment read.

Others speculated on how the series might handle more nuanced themes or modern updates, given the evolving cultural landscape.

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