Harry Potter TV Series Odds: Who Will Play Lead Roles in New Show?
As if by magic, HBO have now confirmed six of the stars for the hotly-anticipated Harry Potter TV series.
The epic show about the wizarding world is to span seven seasons - one for each of JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels - and it is expected to first air in late 2026 or early 2027.
John Lithgow previously let slip he will be playing Professor Albus Dumbledore, and that has now been confirmed by HBO, as have five other roles.
Nick Frost was recently cut to 8/13 on betting sites to portray half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and the Hot Fuzz actor has landed the part.
What's more, Black Mirror star Paapa Essiedu will portray Severus Snape, Ozark actress Janet McTeer will be Professor McGonagall and Paul Whitehouse has signed up to play Argus Filch, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry caretaker portrayed by David Bradley in the film franchise.
Finally, the casting of Professor Quirrell came as a surprise to most, with stage actor Luke Thallon - who is best known for treading the boards in the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet and Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt - landing the role.
Cillian Murphy had been odds-on favourite after he was linked to the part - but he now looks set for an even bigger role in the magical series.
Murphy To Play Dark Lord?
Murphy's odds to play Voldemort have been slashed after it was revealed he won't be portraying Professor Quirrell.
He is into 1/2 on betting apps to land the huge part, which he has long been admired for.
Ralph Fiennes, who played the dreaded character in the film franchise, has even backed the Peaky Blinders star to follow in his footsteps.
When asked on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live what he thought about Murphy portraying He Who Must Not Be Named, he said: "Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian. Yeah."
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Play Lord Voldemort Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Cillian Murphy | 1/2 | 66.7% |
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% |
Murphy also has the backing of a Harry Potter director.
Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Potter movies, previously told People magazine: "Cillian is one of my favourite actors, so that would be amazing."
Warner Bros. CEO Channing Dungey recently admitted the Voldemort decision was yet to be made, because they are still considering "a couple of different options".
She told Deadline: "You're missing [Voldemort] in your deck, because we are still weighing a couple of different options there, so we're not quite ready there yet. That's an important role to get right."
Rhys Ifans (7/4) and Christian Bale (2/1) are also thought to be in contention.
Battle Of The Jessicas
Like the epic film franchise, a casting call is under way to find three undiscovered child actors to take on the roles of main characters Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in a brand-new small screen adaptation of JK Rowling's book series.
Another important role in the movie series was Molly Weasley, the mother of Ron and twins Fred and George Weasley.
Following the six castings, a flurry of new markets have sprung up for Molly and her husband Arthur Weasley, as well as Lucius Malfoy, the father of Harry's nemesis Draco Malfoy.
According to a recent post on Reddit, from a supposed leaker, Warner Bros. has reached out to actress Jessica Hynes to see her availability for next year - and it's thought this could be to portray the role of Molly.
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Play Molly Weasley Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Jessica Hynes | 5/4 | 44.4% |
Jessica Gunning | 11/8 | 42.1% |
Olivia Colman | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Kerry Godliman | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Siobhan McSweeney | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Sarah Lancashire | 3/1 | 25% |
Emily Watson | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Nicola Coughlan | 4/1 | 20% |
Catherine Tate | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Katherine Parkinson | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Sharon Horgan | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Joanna Page | 10/1 | 9.1% |
She is 5/4 to land the part - but looks set to face strong competition from another Jessica.
Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning made a huge name for herself in the creepy Netflix series, and she won loads of awards off the back of the show.
She is just 11/8 to be cast as mother figure Molly in the HBO series, but The Crown star Olivia Colman (7/4) and After Life's Kerry Godliman (2/1) could also be in contention, as might Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney (5/2).
The two main favourites for Molly also have links to the Arthur Weasley frontrunners.
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% |
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% |
Simon Pegg currently heads the market at 15/8, and it could see him reunite with Hynes and Hagrid actor Frost.
Pegg co-created 1999 Channel 4 sitcom Spaced with Hynes, and the pair both starred in the series alongside Frost.
Reuniting the trio could ensure a comedy injection in the new Harry Potter series. However, that could also be achieved by casting Stephen Merchant as Arthur.
He is 2/1 to land the role, and it could see him reunite with his Outlaws co-star Gunning if she is cast as Molly.
From Daemon To Death Eater
Elsewhere, House of Dragon star Matt Smith is the 6/4 favourite to portray evil Lucius Malfoy.
The star resembles Lucius in the Game of Thrones prequel series thanks to his character Daemon Targaryen's long, white hair.
And he is also very much an accomplished actor who would be well suited to the Death Eater role.
Harry Potter TV Series: Who Will Play Lucius Malfoy Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Matt Smith | 6/4 | 40% |
Tom Felton | 13/8 | 38.1% |
Meryl Streep | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Benedict Cumberbatch | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Tom Hiddleston | 3/1 | 25% |
Harry Lloyd | 4/1 | 20% |
Ewan Mitchell | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Jamie Campbell Bower | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Jack Fox | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Lee Pace | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Ed Westwick | 10/1 | 9.1% |
However, Tom Felton, who played Draco in the Potter film franchise, is just 13/8 to play his on-screen father in the TV series.
Jason Isaacs took on the role of Lucius in the movies, and he has backed actress Meryl Streep to follow in his footsteps as the villain.
When asked who should portray the character in the TV series, he told Variety: "Meryl Streep. She can do anything that woman. There’s literally no limit to what she can do."
Streep is 2/1, while Benedict Cumberbatch is a 5/2 chance.
But whoever lands the Malfoy role won't receive any advice from Isaacs.
He added: "I wouldn’t have any advice at all. Why would I bother? I know some of the people they’re casting already. They’re brilliant actors. It’s going to be fantastic, and the last thing they need is advice from some old fart like me."
Like Arthur, Lucius didn't appear until the second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in the film franchise, but it wouldn't be a surprise if either character featured in the first season of the TV show.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.
