Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout lead HBO’s bold ‘Harry Potter’ revival

The magic is returning—and with it, a brand-new trio stepping into the most iconic roles in modern fantasy. HBO has officially unveiled the three young leads for its ambitious “Harry Potter” television series, casting fresh talent to embody the legendary characters of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.

Dominic McLaughlin will don the iconic round glasses as Harry, Arabella Stanton steps into the role of the ever-brilliant Hermione, and Alastair Stout will portray the loyal and funny Ron. All three are screen newcomers, marking a bold move by HBO to recapture the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s world through a fresh lens.

Francesca Gardiner, who serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside director and fellow executive producer Mark Mylod, expressed their excitement after what they described as “an extraordinary search.”

“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,” Gardiner and Mylod said in a joint statement. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”

The new television series is promised to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s original books, with each season focusing on one novel, allowing for deeper narrative exploration than the blockbuster films could offer. It will stream exclusively on HBO Max, including in upcoming new markets such as Germany, Italy, and the UK. The original films will remain available worldwide for fans who still cherish Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint’s portrayals.

Behind the scenes, the production has pulled together a powerful team. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession and His Dark Materials, writes and executive produces. Mark Mylod, a seasoned HBO director, will helm multiple episodes. Also executive producing are J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman—the original Harry Potter producer—from Heyday Films.

Rowling’s direct involvement may raise eyebrows, as her public profile has been controversial in recent years. Still, her name carries undeniable weight with Potter’s global fanbase, and her executive producer role suggests a hands-on approach to ensuring fidelity to the original text.

The casting of newcomers reflects HBO’s long-term vision for the franchise. With seven books to adapt and a multi-season format in place, the network is betting on young, fresh talent that can grow with the story—just as Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint once did.

The announcement arrives amid surging demand for nostalgic, character-driven fantasy. With streaming audiences embracing long-form adaptations like House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, HBO is clearly positioning Harry Potter as its next prestige blockbuster.

While many fans may feel protective of the original portrayals, the idea of exploring Hogwarts and its iconic adventures with renewed depth and detail is proving tantalising. With the trio now in place, production is set to begin later this year, with a likely premiere in 2026.

Pottermaniac, it seems, is poised for a new generation.