Janet McTeer Rumored as Professor McGonagall in New Harry Potter Series

The upcoming Harry Potter series from HBO is causing quite a stir with its latest casting news. It looks like Janet McTeer might be stepping into the shoes of Professor Minerva McGonagall, a role originally played by Dame Maggie Smith. Reports suggest that negotiations are underway for McTeer, a seasoned actress known for her work in Kaos, Ozark, and Tumbleweeds.

Meanwhile, the talented Paapa Essiedu is reportedly close to sealing the deal to portray Professor Severus Snape. Best known for his roles in The Lazarus Project and I May Destroy You, Essiedu is expected to bring a book-accurate depiction of Snape to the screen. It’s worth noting that the late Alan Rickman was 54 when he first took on the iconic role.

John Lithgow has been confirmed as Albus Dumbledore in the series. In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow expressed the gravity of the decision, saying, “It was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life.” HBO, however, has yet to confirm any castings, stating that details will only be revealed as deals are finalized.

The Harry Potter TV series will be helmed by writer/showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod. Casey Bloys, the Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, has assured that the adaptation will stay faithful to the original books.

With a production schedule spanning a decade, the series will be filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, with an anticipated release window between late 2026 and early 2027. Fans are eagerly awaiting more updates on this highly anticipated adaptation.