HBO’s HARRY POTTER Casts Its Sorting Hat, Hogwarts Ghosts, and the Fat Lady

Hogwarts is getting a little more crowded, and some of its newest residents are already dead! HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has announced another round of casting, revealing the actors who will bring the Sorting Hat, several familiar Hogwarts ghosts, and the Fat Lady to life.

Leading the new additions is David Threlfall, best known for playing Frank Gallagher in the original British version of Shameless. The actor will provide the voice of the Sorting Hat, the magical headwear responsible for deciding which Hogwarts house each new student belongs to.

Threlfall spent years leading the hit British comedy-drama, which later inspired the successful American adaptation starring William H. Macy. He should be an interesting choice for the Sorting Hat, a character with plenty of personality and a habit of making important decisions about students' futures.

The Hogwarts ghosts have also found their actors. Leo Bill will play Nearly Headless Nick, the friendly Gryffindor ghost whose unfortunate execution left his head barely attached to his body. Andrew Brooke has been cast as the Bloody Baron, Slytherin's rather intimidating resident ghost, while Daniel Fearn will portray the Fat Friar, the cheerful spirit associated with Hufflepuff.

Another familiar Hogwarts character joining the series is the Fat Lady, played by Laura Smyth. She guards the entrance to Gryffindor Tower from her portrait, allowing students inside only when they provide the correct password. She's a small but memorable part of Hogwarts life, and it should be fun to see how the new series handles her.

All of these characters appear in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, making them natural additions to the show's first season. Their inclusion also gives HBO another opportunity to explore the personality of Hogwarts beyond its classrooms and main characters.

The casting announcements continue to roll in as HBO prepares for the show's planned Christmas premiere, with some Season 2 roles already being revealed.

The new adaptation stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Joining the young trio are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

The Hogwarts student cast also includes Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, and William Nash as Gregory Goyle.

The Weasley family is represented by Tristan Harland as Fred, Gabriel Harland as George, Ruari Spooner as Percy, Katherine Parkinson as Molly, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny, and Harry Gilby as Charlie.

Other familiar faces include Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, and Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns.

Outside Hogwarts, Daniel Rigby plays Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley plays Petunia Dursley, and Amos Kitson plays Dudley Dursley. The cast also features Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Leigh Gill as Griphook, Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, Jasper Talbot as James Potter, and Hannah Chinn as Lily Potter.

Based on J.K. Rowling's bestselling novels, the HBO series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod executive producing and directing multiple episodes. The project is produced in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.

Rowling also serves as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman of Heyday Films, Laura Neal, and Jon Brown.

I’m looking forward to watching this show!