Harry Potter TV Series Odds: Game Of Thrones Stars Tipped To Voice Sorting Hat
Production has started on HBO's hotly-anticipated Harry Potter TV series - and new cast members are still being added.
Anton Lesser has joined the epic show as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander and the Game of Thrones actor was 5/1 on betting sites to be cast as the owner of wand shop Ollivanders.
HBO has also added Sherlock star Louise Brealey to the cast, with Rory Wilmot and Amos Kitson joining as Neville Longbottom and Dudley Dursley respectively - bringing the total number of confirmed cast members to 22.
Production is now underway at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, ahead of the series hitting HBO and HBO Max in 2027 - but who else will join the programme?
Game Of Wands
Following Lesser's confirmation as Ollivander, several of his Game of Thrones co-stars are in the running to voice the Sorting Hat character.
In the film franchise, the Sorting Hat is responsible for choosing which houses the new intake of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry go into.
After the hat is placed on a young wizard or witch's head, the magical hat reveals whether they are in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
Carry On actor Leslie Phillips - who passed away in 2022 aged 98 - voiced the character in the movie series.
HBO have confirmed the TV series will be a "faithful adaptation" of author and the show's executive producer JK Rowling's "beloved Harry Potter books", which should mean the Sorting Hat features in some early episodes.
A hat-trick of Thrones stars are the frontrunners on betting apps to land the role, with Charles Dance leading the way at 6/4, followed by Peter Dinklage (13/8) and Iain Glen (15/8).
All three are known to HBO chiefs after their wondrous performances in Game of Thrones, and all three have commanding voices suitable for the Sorting Hat role.
Cumberbatch Sorted For Potter?
Phillips was known for his distinctive upper-class English accent - a quality Benedict Cumberbatch also shares.
The Avengers: Doomsday actor, who appeared alongside Brealey in Sherlock, is a 2/1 chance to land the Sorting Hat part.
Cumberbatch has also been linked to the role of Voldemort, but he is a 12/1 outsider for that role.
Other top actors with a similar upper class English twang who could be in contention for the part include Hugh Grant (7/2), Colin Firth (4/1) and Stephen Fry (5/1).
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Voice The Sorting Hat Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Charles Dance | 6/4 | 40% |
Peter Dinklage | 13/8 | 38.1% |
Iain Glen | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Benedict Cumberbatch | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Jason Isaacs | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Ralph Ineson | 3/1 | 25% |
Hugh Grant | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Colin Firth | 4/1 | 20% |
Stephen Fry | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Mark Strong | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Matt Berry | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Brian Blessed | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Ralph Ineson is well known to HBO bosses after portraying Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones.
He is 3/1 to voice the Sorting Hat, just below 5/2 Harry Potter movie star Jason Isaacs.
The White Lotus star portrayed evil Lucius Malfoy in the wizarding film franchise, and his Potter filming experience would be a huge asset to the TV series.
Murphy's Stiff Competition
One of the biggest Harry Potter roles yet to be cast is Voldemort - and Cillian Murphy is the 10/11 favourite to land the part of he who must not be named.
The Peaky Blinders actor has been in contention to take on the part for months, but he was also said to be a possible to portray Professor Quirrell.
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Play Voldemort Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Cillian Murphy | 10/11 | 52.4% |
Tom Hiddleston | 6/4 | 40% |
Rhys Ifans | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Christian Bale | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Matt Smith | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Ralph Fiennes | 3/1 | 25% |
Damian Lewis | 4/1 | 20% |
Paul Bettany | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Stellan Skarsgard | 11/2 | 15.4% |
David Tennant | 6/1 | 14.3% |
David Bradley | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Bill Nighy | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Benedict Cumberbatch | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Luke Thallon has now been confirmed in that role, meaning Murphy could portray Voldemort.
He has been backed for the part by Ralph Fiennes, who played the dreaded character in the film franchise, but Murphy faces stiff competition from the likes of Tom Hiddleston (6/4) and Rhys Ifans (7/4).
Ifans is thought to be particularly well regarded by HBO bosses due to his role of Otto Hightower in House of Dragon.
Simon Pegg is the 15/8 favourite to join the Harry Potter TV series - as Arthur Weasley.
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Play Arthur Weasley Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Simon Pegg | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Stephen Merchant | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Danny Dyer | 11/5 | 31.3% |
Damian Lewis | 9/4 | 30.8% |
Domhnall Gleeson | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Martin Freeman | 3/1 | 25% |
Tom Goodman-Hill | 10/3 | 23.1% |
Jason Flemyng | 4/1 | 20% |
Julian Rhind-Tutt | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Arthur Darvill | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Kevin McKidd | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson was recently announced as Arthur's wife, Molly Weasley, and her co-star Danny Dyer is 11/5 to portray her significant other.
Others who could land the role include 2/1 chance Stephen Merchant and 3/1 shot Martin Freeman.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
