HBO is officially on the hunt for the next generation of the Harry Potter trio! That’s right, your favorite boy wizard, know-it-all Hermione, and ginger-haired comic relief Ron are about to be reimagined… and I have questions. Like, who’s going to have the audacity to wear Harry’s round glasses this time? Will they even be round?! These are the important things!
Word on the street (or, more accurately, the Internet) is that a casting call is making the rounds, and it’s legit! HBO confirmed it with Variety, so yeah, it’s happening. This time around, the chosen ones (pun intended) will be between the ages of 9-11 in April 2025. So, if you’re a grown adult re-reading the series and hoping to apply… maybe sit this one out. But if you know any British or Irish kids, aged 9-11, who have been practicing their “Expelliarmus” moves in the bathroom mirror, now’s their time to shine.
Now, brace yourselves for this groundbreaking twist: HBO is committed to “inclusive, diverse casting.” Gasp! Yes, that means all races, ethnicities, and gender identities are welcome to audition. Basically, Hogwarts is about to get a whole lot more diverse, and we’re here for it. They’re also throwing out the “pureblood” nonsense and looking for Muggle-born talent. (Sorry, Malfoy, your house of bigots will NOT be pleased.)
In a shocking display of common sense, they’ve explicitly asked potential mini-wizards not to submit anything Harry Potter-related for the audition. Why? Because every wannabe child actor out there probably thinks they can nail a “Yer a wizard, Harry” line. Nope, the casting call demands a short poem or story—and it has to be from something other than Harry Potter. (I guess this rules out the option of an emotional Dobby fan-fiction reading.)
But wait, there’s more! The casting wizards want not one, but two self-tapes. First, deliver your chosen 30-second masterpiece, in your own accent, please. (Yes, that’s right, Americans, you can’t fake your way into this one by saying “bloody” every five seconds.) For the second video, tell them about yourself, your height, your birthday, and—because Hogwarts is basically a place where every orphan or stray creature ends up—share heartwarming stories about your family, your best friend, or your pet. No, you can’t claim your pet is an owl named Hedwig.
And if you think you can procrastinate on this, think again. The submission deadline is October 31—fittingly, on Halloween. I see you, HBO. Spooky vibes are strong. The lucky chosen ones will begin filming in 2025, and the show will (hopefully) hit screens in 2026. Mark your calendars for… a vague, non-specific date in the future!
Oh, and for those curious about the brains behind this broomstick-fueled reboot, Francesca Gardiner is running the show. She’s set to executive produce, so get ready for more than just magic—hopefully with fewer plot holes than a leaky cauldron.
So, if your kid is between 9-11, has a killer sense of adventure, and thinks they’re destined to defeat dark wizards (or just wants to be friends with a giant spider—whatever floats their boat), this is their moment. Or at least, their chance to get scolded by McGonagall for being late to class.
