The Wizarding World is expanding behind the scenes even before the first episode of the new Harry Potter TV series airs. While production is currently underway for Season 1 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England, HBO has already started the casting process for the second season. According to recent reports, the team is now looking for actors to bring key characters from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to life, including a young Tom Riddle, Moaning Myrtle, and Arthur Weasley.
The decision to work ahead on Season 2 casting shows the network’s commitment to maintaining a steady production schedule. HBO CEO Casey Bloys had previously mentioned that they are trying to avoid “massive gaps” between seasons, which is especially important given the young age of the three lead actors . This proactive approach means that fans can expect a more continuous storytelling experience without the long waits that have plagued other fantasy series.
Season 2 Casting Search Focuses on Chamber of Secrets Characters
The casting call for Season 2 has reportedly shifted focus to characters who play significant roles in the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This has led to widespread speculation about who will portray these fan-favorite figures from the Hogwarts past and present.
The Search for a Young Tom Riddle
One of the most intriguing casting searches is for the role of Tom Riddle, the young version of Lord Voldemort who appears in the Chamber of Secrets memory. This character is crucial to the plot, as he is the one who sets the basilisk loose on Hogwarts students. The role was previously played by Christian Coulson in the film adaptation of Chamber of Secrets, with Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Frank Dillane playing younger versions in Half-Blood Prince .
Recent rumors have even suggested that Oscar-winning actor Tilda Swinton is being considered for a version of Voldemort in the series, though this remains unconfirmed by HBO . Whether the network will cast an unknown young actor for the memory version of Tom Riddle or go with an established name remains to be seen. What makes this casting particularly challenging is that the character must be charming and handsome enough to fool everyone, while also showing hints of the dark wizard he will become.
Moaning Myrtle Returns to the Bathroom
Another character being cast for Season 2 is Moaning Myrtle, the ghost who haunts the girls’ bathroom on the first floor at Hogwarts. Myrtle plays a key role in Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron discover she was the first victim of the basilisk fifty years earlier.
In the original films, Shirley Henderson portrayed Myrtle, even though she was in her thirties at the time, playing a fourteen-year-old ghost. The new series may take a different approach with the casting, possibly looking for a younger actress to bring more authenticity to the role. Myrtle’s scenes require a mix of comedy and tragedy, as she is both annoying to living students and deeply sad about her untimely death.
Arthur Weasley Gets a New Face
The search is also on for Arthur Weasley, the father of the Weasley family and a huge fan favorite. Arthur is the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic and has an endless fascination with all things Muggle. His warmth, curiosity, and protective nature toward Harry make him one of the most beloved adult characters in the series.
In the original films, the late Richard Griffiths played Arthur Weasley. For the new series, casting directors are reportedly looking for an actor who can bring both comedic timing and genuine fatherly warmth to the role. The character appears more prominently in the second book, as Harry stays at the Burrow before the school year starts and later visits Arthur at St. Mungo’s after he is attacked by Nagini.
Massive Cast Already Announced for Season 1
While Season 2 casting is just beginning, Season 1 has already assembled an enormous ensemble of actors. The core trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger will be played by newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton . McLaughlin, a Scottish actor, will be seen soon in the Sky comedy Grow alongside Nick Frost, who incidentally will play Hagrid in the series . Stanton, only 11 years old, comes from the London stage where she played the title role in Matilda the Musical . Stout was virtually unknown before his casting, with his only previous credit being a potato advertisement .
The adult cast reads like a who’s who of British acting talent. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts . Janet McTeer takes on the role of the strict but fair Professor McGonagall . Paapa Essiedu will play the complex potions master Severus Snape, a role made iconic by the late Alan Rickman . Nick Frost brings his comedic and warm presence to Rubeus Hagrid .
The Weasley family is already well-represented in the Season 1 cast. Katherine Parkinson will play Molly Weasley, the matriarch who welcomes Harry into her home . The Weasley children include Tristan and Gabriel Harland as twins Fred and George, Ruari Spooner as the rule-abiding Percy, and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley . Johnny Flynn will play the menacing Lucius Malfoy, while his son Draco will be portrayed by Lox Pratt .
Other confirmed cast members include Luke Thallon as the stuttering Professor Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as the grumpy caretaker Argus Filch, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as the dreadful Dursleys (Petunia and Vernon), and Bertie Carvel as the pompous Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge . Warwick Davis, who played Filius Flitwick in the original films, will reprise his role, making him the only actor so far to cross over from the movie franchise .
Why Season 2 Casting Started So Early
Starting the casting process for Season 2 while Season 1 is still filming is a smart move by HBO. The network has a massive ten-year plan for the series, with each of the seven books getting its own season . Given the complexity of the production and the large number of characters that appear throughout the story, planning ahead is essential.
Bloys explained that they want to avoid the “huge gap” that occurred between seasons of shows like Stranger Things, where the young actors aged significantly between seasons . Since the Harry Potter story covers seven years at Hogwarts, keeping the actors close to their characters’ ages is important for authenticity. By beginning Season 2 casting now, the production team can ensure a smooth transition when they finish filming the first season.
Additionally, many characters in Chamber of Secrets require specific skills or traits. Moaning Myrtle needs to convey a ghostly presence, possibly requiring wire work or special effects. Tom Riddle needs to be both handsome and sinister. Arthur Weasley needs to feel like a warm father figure. Finding the right actors for these roles takes time, and starting early increases the chances of getting perfect casting choices.
Filming Locations and Production Update
Season 1 filming is currently taking place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, the same studio where the original films were shot . Recently, the production was spotted filming at the historic Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, a location previously used for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . This suggests that the series will use many of the same beautiful British locations that made the films feel so magical.
The production team behind the series is stacked with industry veterans. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession, His Dark Materials, and Killing Eve, serves as showrunner and executive producer . Mark Mylod, who also worked on Succession and directed episodes of Game of Thrones, will direct multiple episodes . The creative team includes Holly Waddington on costume design, Adriano Goldman as director of photography, and Alexis Wajsbrot as VFX supervisor .
Daniel Radcliffe Supports the New Cast
Original Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe recently spoke out about the new series, asking fans to support the young actors stepping into the iconic roles. During an appearance on ScreenRant in February 2026, Radcliffe expressed his confidence in Dominic McLaughlin, who will portray Harry in the reboot .
“I’m sure Dominic is going to be better than me. I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children’s lives and just let them get on with it. It’s going to be a new thing, a different thing and they’re going to be better than me.”
Radcliffe also addressed the protective instincts fans expressed when the new cast was announced, suggesting that the best way to support the young actors is to not constantly compare them to the original trio . His words offer a reassuring message to fans who might be nervous about a new take on the beloved story.
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What This Means for Harry Potter Fans
For fans of the Wizarding World, the early work on Season 2 casting is exciting news. It shows that HBO is taking this adaptation seriously and wants to do justice to all seven books. By casting for Tom Riddle, Moaning Myrtle, and Arthur Weasley now, the network ensures that these important characters will be given the same attention and care as the main cast.
The series is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027 . While an exact premiere date has not been announced, production is moving forward at a steady pace. With Season 1 still filming and Season 2 already in pre-production, fans won’t have to wait too long between seasons once the show begins airing.
The Harry Potter TV series promises to be a more in-depth adaptation of the books, allowing for stories and characters that were trimmed from the films to get their proper due. Characters like Peeves the Poltergeist, who was cut from the movies, could finally appear. Subplots involving Neville Longbottom’s parents or the full story of the Marauders might be explored in greater detail.
With the casting search now expanding to include these beloved secondary characters, the magical world of Hogwarts is slowly but surely taking shape for a whole new generation of viewers.
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