The upcoming Harry Potter TV series is shaping up well before its planned December 2026 debut. Recent trailers and a behind-the-scenes preview, Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic, give fans a first look at what to expect. These glimpses showcase the reimagined Wizarding World and the effort put into creating it, while also offering a preview of the new cast in their roles. While it’s a challenge to replace the original actors, the new stars appear to be a good fit for their characters.
The new actors playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione—Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton—are impressive, but the supporting cast is also strong. The Hogwarts teachers and staff are essential to bringing the magic of the story to life, and we’ve already started to see how those characters will be portrayed in the new Harry Potter film.
10) Albus Dumbledore (Played by John Lithgow)
Following Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, John Lithgow is now playing Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter series. From the show’s trailer, promotional photos, and the behind-the-scenes book Finding Harry: The Craft Beyond the Magic, we’ve seen several looks at Lithgow as the headmaster, and he perfectly embodies the character. He has the long, silver beard and half-moon glasses that fans expect, complete with wizard’s robes and a hat. The series appears to be staying true to Dumbledore’s established appearance, and Lithgow captures both his wisdom and powerful nature brilliantly.
9) Severus Snape (Played by Paapa Essiedu)
Paapa Essiedu will be playing Severus Snape in the new Harry Potter series, taking over the role from the late Alan Rickman. While Essiedu is Black, which differs from the book’s description of Snape’s pale complexion, he’s otherwise capturing the character’s iconic look and demeanor. Early photos show him with the long black hair and black robes that define the Potions Master. He also embodies Snape’s serious and intimidating personality, and is closer in age to how Snape is portrayed in the books than Alan Rickman was.
8) Minerva McGonagall (Played by Janet McTeer)
Many of the new actors in the Harry Potter series have a challenging task: stepping into roles made famous by their predecessors. Janet McTeer, who now plays Minerva McGonagall – the head of Gryffindor House and Transfiguration teacher – follows the beloved Maggie Smith. Early looks at McTeer in the role, in both the trailer and the preview for Finding Harry, show she’s captured McGonagall’s strict and intelligent demeanor. She convincingly embodies the character physically, with a tall stature and commanding presence, and her appearance – dark, pulled-back hair and glasses – closely matches the description from the books.
7) Rubeus Hagrid (Played by Nick Frost)
While we’ll deeply miss Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Nick Frost will be playing the beloved character in the new HBO show. Based on the trailer and behind-the-scenes footage, Frost’s look as Hagrid—with messy hair and a beard—is very similar to how Coltrane portrayed him. It’s a fitting choice, as that’s how many of us picture Hagrid, both from the movies and the book descriptions, and he’s still impressively tall!
6) Quirinus Quirrell (Played by Luke Thallon)
Quirinus Quirrell will be a key character in the first season of Harry Potter, and Luke Thallon will play the role of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. While he hasn’t been featured heavily in trailers so far, you can see Thallon as Quirrell in Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic. He’s not wearing Quirrell’s signature turban—or showing Voldemort’s face—but with just his glasses and neatly buttoned shirt, it’s clear to see him as Harry’s deceptive teacher.
5) Filius Flitwick (Played by Warwick Davis)
Warwick Davis is returning as Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor, in the new Harry Potter series – making him the only original actor to reprise his role. While he hasn’t been prominently featured in early trailers, a quick glimpse of the side of his head appears in a shot of Professor Sprout from the behind-the-scenes feature Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic. Based on that, it seems Flitwick’s appearance will be updated – his hair looks less wild than in the first two movies and more like his later appearances, though now with grey hair.
4) Pomona Sprout (Played by Sirine Saba)
Pomona Sprout, the Herbology professor at Hogwarts, doesn’t appear much in the Harry Potter movies. Because the new TV show will have more time, we’re likely to see her character developed further, and we’ve already gotten a quick glimpse of Sirine Saba playing her.
3) Cuthbert Binns (Played by Richard Durden)
I was so excited to hear Professor Binns is going to be in the new TV series! He’s a really fun character in the books – always droning on and on, but a proper part of Hogwarts life. It’s a shame he wasn’t in the movies, but it sounds like the show is really trying to stay true to the source material by including him. I saw a quick glimpse of him in the ‘Finding Harry’ featurette, though you have to look closely! I’m curious to see how the actor, Richard Durden, pulls off the ghostly professor look, but it’s great they’re including him at all.
2) Argus Filch (Played by Paul Whitehouse)
Here’s a complete conceptual art piece of Filch from the Harry Potter series. Image credit: @magicallybrothers on Instagram.
— Portal Harry Potter (@portalpotterbr) April 9, 2026
Paul Whitehouse has been cast as Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts, in the upcoming Harry Potter series. While the trailer and behind-the-scenes footage don’t show him in costume, concept art reveals his appearance. He’s depicted as a tall man with long, grey hair, looking similar to how David Bradley portrayed the character. Filch will be seen with his signature lantern, patrolling the halls of Hogwarts, accompanied by his cat, Mrs. Norris – a detail that shows the production team is paying close attention to the source material.
1) Peeves (Not Cast Yet)
Arte conceitual completa do Pirraça para a série Harry Potter.
— Portal Harry Potter (@portalpotterbr) April 9, 2026
The upcoming Harry Potter remake will feature Peeves the Poltergeist, a character who was left out of the original movies. While the actor hasn’t been announced yet, a preview of ‘Finding Harry’ showed concept art of him. He has dark hair, pointed ears, and a playfully mischievous look. His clothes aren’t as bright as those in the Hogwarts Legacy game, but he still appears like someone you’d definitely want to steer clear of, particularly if you were a first-year student – and that’s exactly how he’s supposed to be!
Hogwarts Staff Who Have Been Cast But Not Seen Yet
Beyond the main cast, I’m excited to see some beloved Hogwarts staff members are also joining the production – Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch and Bríd Brennan as Madam Pomfrey, according to Deadline. I’m really hoping we get glimpses of them in future trailers. Honestly, the fact that they’re casting all the Hogwarts staff is a fantastic sign. It tells me the filmmakers are paying close attention to detail, which book fans like me will absolutely love.
What are your thoughts on the Hogwarts professors in the new Harry Potter show? Share your opinions and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: 50 Easter Eggs, References & Major Cameos Explained
- Surprise Isekai Anime Confirms Season 2 With New Crunchyroll Streaming Release
- 10 Best Free Games on Steam in 2026, Ranked
- ‘Project Hail Mary’: The Biggest Differences From the Book, Explained
- Sydney Sweeney’s The Housemaid 2 Sets Streaming Release Date
- Skate 4 – Manny Go Round Goals Guide | All of the Above Sequence
- Preview: Sword Art Online Returns to PS5 as a Darker Open World Action RPG This Summer
- Why is Tech Jacket gender-swapped in Invincible season 4 and who voices her?
- Blake Lively Shares Rare Look Inside Her and Ryan Reynolds’ Home
- Forza Horizon 6 ‘Prologue’ gameplay
2026-04-12 01:41