Another new actor has been cast in the role of Ron Weasley in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
The casting update arrives as the long-planned adaptation continues to take shape ahead of its expected 2027 debut. First announced in 2023, the project will adapt J.K. Rowling’s seven novels across multiple seasons, with each book forming the basis of a single season.
HBO has positioned the series as a long-term television project. The plan calls for the show to run for roughly a decade, allowing for a more detailed retelling of the books than was possible in the original film franchise.
Production began in July 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England, with only short breaks planned between each season in order to ensure continuity between the actors' appearances. The location previously served as the primary production hub for all eight Harry Potter films released between 2001 and 2011.
Several major roles were announced early in the Harry Potter casting process. John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer is our new Minerva McGonagall. Additional casting announcements for Hogwarts staff and supporting characters have followed gradually.
HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery have repeatedly stated that the series will remain closely aligned with the source material. Executives have described the adaptation as an opportunity to include storylines, characters, and moments that were condensed or excluded from the films.
A New Take on Ron Weasley's Mirror Scene
The central trio has already been cast. Dominic McLaughlin will portray Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton has been cast as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley throughout the main narrative.
A recent casting update adds a second actor to Ron’s storyline. Louis Shelton has been cast as an older version of Ron Weasley, appearing in the Mirror of Erised sequence.
Louis Shelton has been cast as an older version of Ron Weasley in the HARRY POTTER TV series
He will be Ron's vision in the Mirror of Erised when he sees himself as Head Boy
Louis Shelton has been cast as an older version of Ron Weasley in the HARRY POTTER TV series
He will be Ron's vision in the Mirror of Erised when he sees himself as Head Boy
(via @RedanianIntel) pic.twitter.com/GpjzCsR2vi
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) February 20, 2026
In the scene, Ron sees a version of himself who has become Head Boy and Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. This moment appears in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone but was only described verbally in the 2001 film.
Although Rupert Grint’s Ron explains what he sees in the mirror, the film never shows the image itself. The HBO series appears set to depict the vision directly for the first time.
Shelton has previously appeared in stage productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, Hamlet, and Hedda Gabler. His casting suggests a brief but focused role tied to the symbolic sequence.
The same Mirror of Erised scene also involves Harry seeing his parents, Lily and James Potter, along with other family members. Casting for Lily and James has not yet been announced.
Those characters could take on larger roles if the reboot expands on material related to the Marauders era, which has been referenced but largely unexplored in previous screen adaptations.
Additional Characters and Ongoing Debate
Season one will broadly follow the events of Sorcerer’s Stone, but early indications point to several additions not previously shown on screen.
Set images suggest that Nicolas Flamel will appear directly, alongside his wife, Perenelle. In the films, Flamel is discussed but never seen, despite his role in creating the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Albus Dumbledore with Nicolas Flamel and his wife in the HARRY POTTER TV series
(via Terry Burton)
Albus Dumbledore with Nicolas Flamel and his wife in the HARRY POTTER TV series
(via Terry Burton) pic.twitter.com/trO5tcLEND
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) October 8, 2025
Reports also indicate that at least one scene will depict Dumbledore visiting Flamel at his home. The interaction does not appear in either the book or film versions.
The series will also introduce Charlie Weasley, Ron’s second-oldest brother. While referenced in multiple films, the character never appeared on screen due to cut storylines.
Other characters making their screen debut include Piers Polkiss, Dudley Dursley’s friend, and Professor Binns, the ghost who teaches History of Magic at Hogwarts.
It’s official, Mickey McAnulty has been cast as Piers Polkiss in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO Max 🎥 pic.twitter.com/MdrWmARR0T
— Daily Harry Potter (@TheDailyHPotter) July 18, 2025
Not all attention surrounding the reboot has been positive. J.K. Rowling remains attached to the series as an executive producer, which has drawn criticism following her past comments on transgender issues.
John Lithgow addressed the subject while speaking at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
“I take the subject extremely seriously,” Lithgow said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “JK Rowling has created this amazing canon for young people, young kids' literature that has jumped into the consciousness of society. Young and old people love ‘Harry Potter' and the ‘Harry Potter' stories.”
He added that the books are “so much about acceptance” and said he has never met Rowling, noting that the Harry Potter author is “not really involved in this production at all.”
In 2025, HBO's chief content officer, Casey Bloys, also insisted that the series would not be “infused” with the author’s controversial views on the transgender community.
What do you think of the older Ron Weasley?
