HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series is generating buzz with its casting news. Industry sources confirm that Janet McTeer has been offered the role of Professor McGonagall. Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Severus Snape. Fans eagerly await more updates on this highly anticipated adaptation.
Kaos’ Janet McTeer in talks for Professor McGonagall’s role in Harry Potter reboot
HBO has reportedly offered Janet McTeer the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the upcoming Harry Potter series. The Oscar-nominated actress is negotiating to take over the role originally played by Dame Maggie Smith in the Warner Bros. films, according to Deadline. McTeer, 63, featured in Kaos, Ozark, and Tumbleweeds.
The news was also shared on X (formerly Twitter) by industry insider MyTimeToShineHello, who confirmed this by stating, “Janet McTeer has been offered the role of Professor McGonagall in the upcoming Harry Potter series,” in a post labeled as a “[HARRY POTTER SCOOP].”
Additionally, it seems Paapa Essiedu is close to finalizing a deal to play Professor Severus Snape. Deadline reported that Essiedu, 34, known for The Lazarus Project and I May Destroy You, will portray a book-accurate Snape. Alan Rickman, who played Snape in the films, was 54 when he took on the role.
John Lithgow is the only confirmed cast member so far, taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore. Discussing his casting, Lithgow told ScreenRant, “It was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life.” Notably, HBO has not confirmed any castings but issued a statement: “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
The Harry Potter television series is being developed by writer/showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod. Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content Casey Bloys has described it as a “faithful adaptation” of the books.
The series is planned to span a decade and will be filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, with a projected release between late 2026 and early 2027.
