With HBO’s Harry Potter series set to hit production later this year, reports regarding the casting have been flooding in. Although HBO has been mostly tight-lipped about the castings given the massive standard that was set by its predecessor, as of now, John Lithgow is the lone star that has been confirmed to replace a major character from the movies.
As for the role of Minerva McGonagall, which was previously played by British Icon Maggie Smith, who died at the age of 89 last year, per reports, Janet McTeer is currently being eyed to be her successor.
Janet McTeer is reportedly being eyed to fill Maggie Smith’s boots
Notable for her stints in Tumbleweeds, Wuthering Heights, The Divergent Series, The Menu, Damages, Jessica Jones, and Ozark, according to Deadline, Janet McTeer, 63, is being eyed to fill Minerva’s boots in the HBO adaptation. Although the character herself was much younger than Maggie Smith‘s portrayal of Minerva in the books, it seems HBO is aiming for a more accurate depiction of the character with McTeer’s involvement.
But considering that HBO has declined to comment on the rumors and reports surrounding potential casting choices for the series, until the final verdict is out, nothing can be said for certain.
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.
Besides McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, 34, is reportedly in talks to fill Alan Rickman’s shoes as this adaptation’s Severus Snape, which, similar to McTeer, could bring the show version much closer to Snape’s age from the books.
John Lithgow is feeling the pressure ahead of his Dumbledore debut
Despite the noise surrounding McTeer and Essiedu’s potential involvement, as of now, only John Lithgow has been confirmed to appear in the HBO show in a major capacity. Having recently starred in the Oscar-nominated Conclave, the actor was taken aback by the opportunity to headline Dumbledore, and on top of being excited, Lithgow confessed to being a little afraid, as the role will define “the last chapter of my life”.
He shared (via Variety):
Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited.
While time will tell what the future holds for this retelling of the iconic saga, if done right, the medium of television could greatly elevate the story, as it gives the creators a much bigger sandpit to play around with.
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