NEED TO KNOW
Professor Flitwick is back!
On Monday, Sept. 1, Warner Bros announced that Warwick Davis is returning to his role as Charms professor Filius Flitwick in the new HBO Harry Potter TV series, which is an adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series.
“The HBO Original Harry Potter television series today announced the return of Warwick Davis as Professor Filius Flitwick, marking his homecoming to the wizarding world in a role he originated for the film series,” a press release read. The news was announced to coincide with Back to Hogwarts, a global celebration of all things Harry Potter where fans mark the iconic return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry annually on Sept. 1.
Davis, 55, appeared in all eight of the Harry Potter movies, which began with 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and ended with 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. He also starred as Griphook, a goblin who works at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, in several of the films.
The British actor is the first original film star who has been confirmed to be starring in the series.
Aidan Monaghan / HBO
Six other new cast members were also announced, including Leigh Gill taking on the role of Griphook, and Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, a role originated by Miriam Margolyes.
Meanwhile, Bríd Brennan will play Madam Poppy Pomfrey and Richard Durden will star as Professor Cuthbert Binns. Elijah Oshin is taking on the role of Harry’s friend and fellow student Dean Thomas, while Finn Stephens and William Nash take on the role of Draco Malfoy’s (Lox Pratt) sidekicks, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, respectively.
The news comes weeks after fans caught the first glimpse of the cast on location filming when two of the stars were spotted filming on the busy streets of London.
Dominic McLaughlin, who will play the titular wizard originated by Daniel Radcliffe, and Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid, were seen in costume in the photos from the set on Aug. 18.
While McLaughin, 11, donned Harry’s signature round spectacles, Frost, 53, towered over him in Hagrid’s signature khaki coat.
JIMI CELESTE/Patrick McMullan via Getty
“You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that. While I’m really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie’s amazing performance, I’m never going to try and be Robbie,” Frost told Collider back in June of the late Robbie Coltrane, originated the role in the eight films.
“I’m going to try to do something, not ‘different’ — I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter — but within that, there’s scope for minutia,” he continued, adding that he wants his portrayal of the iconic character to be “funny.”
“I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike,” he said. “That’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Filming for the series began in July. Other stars who have joined the cast include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu will play Professor Snape, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy (originated by Jason Isaacs) and Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley (originated by Fiona Shaw).
The Harry Potter series will premiere in 2027 on HBO.
