Fans of the wizarding world have a new reason to be excited, as the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series continues to expand its cast with magical creatures from the books. The show has cast its first centaur, bringing a character to the screen that was missing from the original films.
Actor Jake Curran has been chosen to play Ronan, a centaur who lives in the Forbidden Forest. This will be the first live-action appearance for Ronan, who was featured in J.K. Rowling’s books but was left out of the earlier movie adaptations. The series is currently filming and is expected to be released in 2027.
Who Is Ronan the Centaur?
For those who mainly know the Harry Potter story from the movies, Ronan might be a new face. In the books, he is an important presence in the Forbidden Forest.
He first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. On the night that Harry and Draco Malfoy serve detention in the forest, Hagrid is investigating the mysterious injuries to the unicorns. He meets with Ronan and another centaur named Bane. The centaurs speak in a mysterious way, with Ronan notably looking at the sky and repeating the phrase “Mars is bright tonight.” This line is a subtle hint of his ability in divination and a warning of the coming war.
Ronan is described as having red hair and a red beard, with the body of a gleaming chestnut horse. He is generally peaceful, though he shares the centaurs’ deep distrust of humans. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, he shows a protective side. When the centaurs are angered by Umbridge’s insults, Ronan argues for Harry and Hermione’s safety, pointing out that they are just “foals.” He later fights in the Battle of Hogwarts, leading the charge of the centaurs into the Great Hall.
A More Faithful Adaptation
The decision to include Ronan is a sign that the HBO series plans to stick more closely to the original books. The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, combined this forest scene and only featured the centaur Firenze.
By bringing Ronan into the story, the series can explore more of the magical world’s politics and creatures. The centaurs are a proud and complex society, and their interactions with Hagrid help show his special connection to magical beings. With the series reported to have eight episodes for the first season, there is more time to include these detailed book moments.
The casting of an actor for Ronan also suggests a focus on improving the visual effects. The centaurs in the first movie were criticized for their CGI, which many felt had not aged well. The scene where Firenze rescues Harry was so dark it was hard to see clearly. By casting Jake Curran, the production indicates it will use a combination of acting and technology to create more realistic and impressive centaurs.
Meet the Actor Jake Curran
Jake Curran is taking on the role of the part-human, part-horse character. While he is a new name to many, Curran has been building a solid career in television and film.
Audiences might recognize him from the **2025 series *Robin Hood, which starred Sean Bean. He also appears in the crime drama Gangs of London and is set to feature in the upcoming **DC film *Clayface, where he will play a character named Patches. His experience in action and fantasy projects makes him a good fit for the physical and expressive demands of playing a centaur.
The Growing Harry Potter Cast
The casting of Ronan is one part of the large and growing ensemble for the HBO series. The production has been actively filming for several months and has announced many roles.
John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, with Nick Frost as the beloved half-giant Rubeus Hagrid. Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer will portray Minerva McGonagall. The central trio of students will be played by Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), and Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley).
Several actors from the original film series are also returning, but in new roles. Warwick Davis, who previously played Professor Flitwick and Griphook, will return as Professor Filius Flitwick.
The series began filming in the summer of 2025 and is expected to continue shooting until May 2026.
Also Read: First Look: John Lithgow Transforms Into Dumbledore For New Harry Potter Series
