HBO’s “Harry Potter” series has found its leads

Get ready for a spunky new wizarding trio to rule your TV screens for the next decade. HBO has officially selected three Muggles to lead its upcoming Harry Potter series.

The titular Boy Who Lived will be played by Dominic McLaughlin, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, the streaming giant announced yesterday. The three actors beat out ~32,000 other kids who auditioned for the roles.

What’s in store for the Wizarding World

HBO describes the series as “a faithful adaptation” of the book series by J.K. Rowling, who is signed on as an executive producer.

• The show will run for “10 consecutive years,” according to HBO CEO Casey Bloys—which appears to contradict earlier reports that said each season would focus on a single book, adding up to seven in total.

Between the lines—production hasn’t been smooth flying sailing so far: J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the show has drawn criticism from celebrities and fans for her views on transgender issues, while some fans have argued that casting Black actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape deviates too far from the source material.

Looking ahead…The first round of casting was announced in April; the show is now searching for other young characters like Draco Malfoy and additional Weasley siblings. Filming is set to begin this summer at Leavesden Studios, where the original Warner Bros. movies were filmed, with the series expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027.