Hold up folks, the Wizarding World just got a major Ministry upgrade!
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has officially cast the one and only Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge—and if that name sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This isn’t Carvel’s first trip through a magical kingdom. He has also entered the realm of the Game of Thrones universe in the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Not just that, Bertie Carvel has also dabbled in royal drama with The Crown. Basically, he’s been out there collecting powerful roles like Horcruxes. So if you’re wondering where you may have seen him before, then get ready to Accio your memories, because Bertie’s been everywhere lately!
HBO’s Harry Potter reboot found its Cornelius Fudge in Bertie Carvel
Now that Hogwarts is officially under the new management of HBO, the studio has confirmed its new actor for the role of Cornelius Fudge, in the high-stakes Harry Potter reboot. And let’s just say—we’re both thrilled and slightly concerned. Because as per Deadline reports, HBO has cast Bertie Carvel as the Minister of Magic.
To clarify, Bertie Carvel’s casting isn’t something that’s concerning for fans. After all, this legendary actor with a myriad of projects under his belt as well as experience from stage play, is the best choice for the role of Cornelius Fudge. So, what’s concerning is—the character’s controversial role.
Because if you remember Fudge from the original series, you’ll know he wasn’t exactly Head Boy material. He was the guy who refused to believe Voldemort was back. So, with an actor like Bertie Carvel stepping in, we’re expecting Fudge to be not just power-hungry, but also complex and layered.
Joining Carvel in this spellbinding reboot are Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton—newcomers stepping into the iconic shoes of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Additionally, we’ve Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
Going back to Bertie Carvel’s casting, it has been revealed that his character will reportedly have a recurring role. Much like the late actor Robert Hardy’s Cornelius Fudge, who appeared in four Harry Potter films.
Bertie Carvel has been stacking up his resume like a Gringotts vault
Well, before he was hired to cast spells as Minister of Magic, Bertie Carvel was already busy racking up powerful roles across multiple genres. From dazzling cinema performances in Babylon, Restless, and Les Misérables, Carvel also appeared alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2004 biopic Hawking.
Whether he’s ruling the screen or appearing as a background power player, Bertie Carvel has been delivering scenes with award-winning intensity. Now, for those who are still struggling to recognize Carvel’s face, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him ruling the screen in shows like Doctor Foster, Dalgliesh, and Sherlock.
Oh, and don’t forget Netflix’s The Crown—where he stepped into the shoes of former British PM Tony Blair. Clearly, he knows his way around high-pressure roles and headline-making leadership. And here’s the cherry on top—Carvel is already part of HBO’s fantasy fam. He’s appearing in the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
So yes, Bertie Carvel is officially living out every nerd’s ultimate dream—going from dragons to Dementors. And with such high-profile experiences across different genres and roles, it’s like he has been training to be Cornelius Fudge his whole life.
Harry Potter films are currently streaming in the US on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
