Summary
Warner Bros.is moving forward with aHarry PotterTV series, and reports suggest that an open casting call has begun, specifically for key roles, starting with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. While no official details about the cast have been revealed yet, or whether any of the original stars will return, one actor has expressed interest in making a possible comeback.
The Wizarding Worldis on the brink of a new chapter as HBO gears up for aHarry Potterreboot for television. This live-action series will introduce a new generation of actors to portray the beloved child characters, sparking curiosity over who will step into the shoes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. While much attention is onthe casting of new young stars, there’s also growing speculation about which actors will take on the adult roles. Naturally, this has led to questions about whether the original cast and crew might return in some form, and oneHarry Potteractor appears to be addressing those theories.
Gary Oldman Interested In Return To Wizarding World
With HBO’sHarry Potterreboot on the horizon, there’s been growing curiosity about whether the original cast and crew will return in any form.Gary Oldman, who portrayed Sirius Blackin the initial films, has now weighed in on the speculation. During an interview withIndieWireat the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, Oldman confirmed that he hasn’t been approached to join the reboot. However, he hinted at possibly taking on a new role in the series.“I would bet my money that they will get a whole new cast of people,”Oldman remarked, adding,“Maybe in a few years I could do Dumbledore.”It’s clear Oldman remains open to revisiting the Wizarding World, albeit in a different capacity this time.
Oldman Interested In Playing Dumbledore, Says Sirius Performance Was “Mediocre”
Gary Oldman, 66, shared that his Sirius Black character had limited screen time throughout the eightHarry Potterfilms. Despite this, Oldman still holds Sirius dear, saying, “I love Sirius.” As the godfather of Harry Potter,Sirius was wrongfully imprisoned before escaping, a storyline highlighted in 2004’sHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Reflecting on his portrayal, Oldman noted, “He wasn’t in it enough. He turned up, and then he went through the veil,” referencing Sirius' tragic death at the hands of his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007).
“He wasn’t in it enough. He turned up, and then he went through the veil.”
During a December 2023Happy Sad Confusedpodcast appearance, Oldman described his performance as “mediocre.” However, he later clarified during a Cannes Film Festival press conference that this wasn’t a critique of the films or his acting but rather that, in hindsight, he might have approached the role differently had he read all the Harry Potter books featuring Sirius before filming. At the time, his only reference wasThe Prisoner of Azkaban, which offered just one facet of the character being a single book out of the entire series.
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter in the original film series, recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming TV adaptation, suggesting that a fresh start might be the best approach. He acknowledged that recreating the magic of the original films will be challenging, and bringing back former stars could overshadow the new actors, who deserve their own opportunity to shine. Nevertheless, the original cast could still contribute in different capacities; for instance, while the younger cast members can’t reprise their roles, they could play other older characters. Gary Oldman feels his talents were underutilized in his portrayal of Sirius Black and is intrigued by the idea of reinventing himself inthe role of Albus Dumbledore.
The originalHarry Potterfilms were bolstered by a cast of esteemed British actors, a level of talent that’s hard to match. Recasting some of the original stars in new roles could help maintain the franchise’s enchantment, but it risks distraction, so Warner Bros. will need to strike a careful balance to ensure the new adaptation succeeds.
TheHarry PotterTV reboot is scheduled to debut on HBO in late 2026.
Source:IndieWire
Harry Potter
When Harry Potter learns that he is a wizard, he enters a world beyond belief. Aside from continuing his studies at Hogwarts with best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry must also face Voldemort and his dark wizarding forces. The Harry Potter franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, spanning seven books, eight movies, three spinoff movies, a stage play, and numerous video games.
