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Exciting news for Harry Potter fans! HBO’s upcoming reboot of the beloved series may have found its Dumbledore. Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance is reportedly leading the casting wishlist to portray the wise headmaster in the new series.
Nearly a year and a half since the announcement of the Harry Potter TV series, details have been scarce. However, recent updates confirm that Succession‘s Mark Mylod will direct, with Francesca Gardiner of His Dark Materials fame attached as the writer. An open casting call for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione was also initiated last September.
The choice of Rylance, known for his roles in Bridge of Spies (2015) and as Thomas Cromwell in BBC’s Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light (2024), signals HBO’s commitment to high-caliber talent. Although Rylance has not yet entered negotiations according to Variety, his potential involvement has stirred considerable excitement. Another actor considered for the role of Dumbledore is none other than Gary Oldman, who played fan-favourite Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movies.
An HBO representative addressed the buzz around the casting with a statement, “We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
The reboot will set its narrative in the magical halls of Hogwarts, much like the original series, with each of J.K. Rowling’s books planned to inspire a season. This implies a commitment to at least seven seasons, each delving deep into the Wizarding World’s lore and character arcs.
This development is a part of HBO’s broader strategy to expand its fantasy and magical content, aiming to captivate both longtime fans and new viewers with a more immersive adaptation of the Harry Potter universe. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on how this ambitious project evolves, especially with potential star power like Mark Rylance possibly joining the cast.
No premiere date has been set yet for the series, and casting for the trio of young wizards is still underway. Fans can look forward to a fresh take on the saga with new faces embodying these iconic roles.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
