The Harry Potter universe has been such an integral part of my childhood, and I’m so excited to see it being adapted into an HBO series. The recent casting announcements have introduced us to a wave of talent, but will any of the original actors return for J.K. Rowling’s beloved saga?
Many candidates would be perfect for a cameo because their characters left such a lasting impact on us, but recent events have guaranteed that it won’t happen. And I was hoping to see David Tennant return, but that seems nearly impossible now, and so does any appearance from members of the main trio.
David Tennant’s role in Harry Potter and why he won’t be back
David Tennant played Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and even though his role was brief, I found it to be quite impactful. He was the mastermind behind Harry’s forced entry into the Triwizard Tournament and delivered a performance that had both menace and manic energy.
I got chills during his reveal in the final act, so given his legacy in the franchise, many fans (myself included) would have loved to see him return, maybe even in a different role. But those hopes were dashed when Tennant took a not-so-subtle dig at J.K. Rowling during a Q&A at Planet ComicCon (via Independent).
When he was asked about joining the HBO series, the actor said, “I’m told there’s an executive producer who doesn’t love me on the show.” This comment seems to be a clear reference to Rowling, who has publicly criticized Tennant for his vocal support of trans rights.
The original Gryffindor trio won’t return for the Harry Potter series
If David Tennant’s situation wasn’t disappointing enough, the chances of seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, or Rupert Grint in a cameo are slim to none. The trio’s public support for trans rights directly clashed with J.K. Rowling’s stance on the political matter.
The author’s social media jab, where she responded to a question about actors who “ruin” movies, with “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” was widely interpreted as her targeting Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint (via The Guardian). Moreover, she has previously dismissed them as “celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights.”
So, given all this animosity, HBO’s Harry Potter reboot will now move forward with an entirely new cast. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stour will take over as Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively (via Time). While seasoned actors like John Lithgow and Janet McTeer will play other iconic roles.
So, the message is clear that this is a fresh start! But I am still hopeful to see at least someone from the movies to feel that pang of nostalgia. But it hurts that the bridge between bringing back some of the key players might be broken beyond repair.
HBO’s Harry Potter series is set to release in late 2026 or early 2027.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
