HBO continues to announce new actors for its Harry Potter series. A few days after the official announcement of the leading trio, the American network announced the arrival of nine new actors for supporting roles. Draco Malfoy, Molly Weasley, and Lavender Brown, Harry, Ron, and Hermione's companions, are shown in a new light. There are some great names, since the series has secured the services of Johnny Flynn. The actor played the lead role in the series Lovesick for three seasons between 2014 and 2018 before making his way onto the big screen. He starred opposite Anthony Hopkins in A Life and even played David Bowie in the film Stardust in 2022.
Here, he will play Voldemort's supporters since he has been given the role of Lucius Malfoy. Formerly played by Jason Isaacs, the character is central in the first novel and will remain just as important throughout the adventures of the little wizard with glasses. The role of his son, the unforgettable Draco Malfoy, has also been assigned. It is the young Lox Pratt who will lend his features to the insufferable Slytherin. Moreover, it should be noted that Julie Walters is no longer Molly Weasley since the role is now in the hands of Katherine Parkinson.
Hogwarts has new students
The school of wizards will welcome three new students, in addition to Draco. Indeed, HBO announces that it has found its new Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. The first, who has a penchant for explosives, will now be played by Leo Earley. Alessia Leoni and Sienna Moosah have been offered the roles of Parvati and Lavender. Finally, the position of Minister of Magic is no longer vacant, Bertie Carvel has been recruited to play Cornelius Fudge.
New approach
But the most notable announcements are rather on the side of Harry Potter's family, and in particular his uncle and aunt. Petunia Dursley will be played by Bel Powley, while Uncle Vernon will be played by Daniel Rigby. It's very clear that the series is taking a new approach to these characters. This is especially true for Vernon, whose overweight was used to emphasize his cruelty. Dudley, on the other hand, was portrayed as a spoiled and therefore chubby child.
Much criticism has been leveled at Rowling's treatment of overweight characters, as this physical characteristic is almost automatically associated with wickedness. HBO seems to have taken a different direction for Harry's relatives. It remains to be seen whether this change in approach will also have an impact on the storytelling, and whether the series will refrain from giving Dudley a corkscrew tail during his first meeting with Hagrid at the Dursleys' country house, or whether the Aunt Marge scene will resonate differently in this new batch.
The series is progressing well
The Harry Potter series is set to go into production very soon. As a reminder, HBO hopes to bring it to viewers in 2026 or 2027. The addition of these new names is a sign of great progress for the project, which should offer the magical universe an opportunity to attract new fans. Several crucial roles remain to be cast, starting with Dudley, Arthur Weasley, and even Neville Longbottom. The series is expected to first adapt elements from the first novel, and thus delve deeper into all the concepts and issues that could not be explored on the big screen due to lack of time. Ten years will be needed, according to HBO, for the series to follow Harry Potter's journey from his first year at Hogwarts to his final confrontation with Voldemort.
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