HBO's Harry Potter reboot may still be months away from its debut, but the studio is already building the cast for its second season.
The series recently wrapped production on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which is expected to premiere during the holiday season. The adaptation stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
The trio is joined by a large supporting cast that includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy.
From the beginning, HBO has stressed that the television series will have more room to explore Rowling's novels than the original films.
That appears to be reflected in the latest casting development.
HBO Begins Search for Key ‘Chamber of Secrets' Role
According to Deadline, casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann are searching for a young actor to join the franchise in Season 2.
The role is for Colin Creevey, a character introduced in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Colin arrives at Hogwarts as a first-year Gryffindor and quickly becomes one of Harry Potter's biggest fans.
Rarely seen without his camera, Colin spends much of the book trying to photograph Harry and document life at Hogwarts. His enthusiasm makes him one of the novel's most recognizable new additions.
His story becomes more serious when he falls victim to the attacks connected to the Chamber of Secrets.
After being Petrified while looking through his camera lens, Colin spends much of the school year in the hospital wing before eventually recovering.
The character appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), where he was played by Hugh Mitchell.
Unlike many of his fellow Hogwarts students, Colin largely disappeared from the film franchise after that appearance.
The books took a different approach.
A Character the Movies Never Fully Explored
As the novels continued, Colin remained a loyal supporter of Harry.
His younger brother Dennis later joined Hogwarts, and both boys became members of Dumbledore's Army during Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The brothers continued fighting against Voldemort's growing influence throughout the later books.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Colin secretly returned to Hogwarts to participate in the Battle of Hogwarts despite being too young to fight.
After the battle, he was discovered among the dead, making him one of the conflict's youngest casualties.
Because HBO plans to adapt the books more faithfully, Colin's role could become much larger than it was in the Warner Bros. films.
The casting search comes as HBO continues assembling other important Season 2 characters.
One major role expected to be recast is Ginny Weasley.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Gracie Cochrane, who plays Ginny in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will not return for Season 2.
Ginny becomes a central figure in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets after falling under the influence of Tom Riddle's diary.
The role of Tom Riddle has not yet been announced either.
Rumors have linked the part to Owen Cooper, who broke out in Netflix's Adolescence.
The speculation began after fans noticed several young Harry Potter cast members following Cooper on social media.
Neither HBO nor the actor has commented on the reports.
With filming on Season 2 expected to begin later this year, several of the reboot's most important new faces may be revealed sooner rather than later.
Which season of HBO's Harry Potter reboot are you most excited to see?
