HBO Finds Its New Harry Potter Trio: Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout Take the Lead
By The Trending People Newsroom
Updated: May 27, 2025 | New Delhi
In one of the most anticipated announcements in recent television history, HBO has officially cast its lead trio for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series reboot. Dominic McLaughlin will portray the iconic Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton stepping into the role of Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
The casting comes after a massive open audition process that saw more than 30,000 hopefuls from around the world. Filming is slated to begin this summer, with the series expected to debut in 2026.
A Global Search Ends with Three Rising Stars
Announcing the casting, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod said in a joint statement:
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.”
While McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout are relatively new to global audiences, each brings unique acting experience to the roles. McLaughlin recently starred in Grow, a Sky comedy alongside Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Stanton previously played Matilda in the West End's Matilda: The Musical between 2023 and 2024. Stout’s casting marks his breakout debut in a major production.
A Legendary Legacy Continues
The original Harry Potter film series made global icons of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Now, HBO’s new adaptation is set to relaunch the magical world of Hogwarts for a new generation—with a fresh cast and an expanded episodic format that promises to remain more faithful to J.K. Rowling’s bestselling books.
The show is being written and executive produced by Gardiner, who also serves as showrunner. Veteran director Mark Mylod—known for Succession and Game of Thrones—will direct multiple episodes and also serve as executive producer.
Other confirmed cast members include:
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
The show is being produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. J.K. Rowling remains an executive producer on the series alongside Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Controversy and Clarifications
J.K. Rowling’s involvement has reignited debates over her controversial remarks about the transgender community. When asked whether her views posed a challenge to HBO’s plans, Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys addressed the issue on The Town podcast:
“We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC. It’s pretty clear those are her personal, political views. She’s entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything.”
Bloys emphasized that the new series would focus squarely on the storytelling, remaining true to the books and the world that fans across the globe have cherished for over two decades.
A Bold Move by HBO
HBO’s Harry Potter series is seen as a major investment in franchise television, following the success of long-form reimaginings like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. With a larger budget and deeper narrative arcs planned, the network aims to explore the magical universe in greater depth—one season per book.
What’s Next?
With filming beginning in the summer of 2025, and the first episodes likely airing in 2026, all eyes will be on this new trio as they take on the legacy of one of the most beloved franchises in literary and cinematic history.
Whether they soar or stumble, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout are now household names in the making.