From West End to Hogwarts: Arabella Stanton’s Journey
At just 11 years old, Arabella Stanton is no stranger to the spotlight, though her casting as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter cast HBO adaptation catapults her into a global arena. Born and based in London, Stanton has already carved a niche in the competitive world of musical theater. From September 2023 to 2024, she captivated audiences as the titular character in Matilda: The Musical at London’s West End, a production by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her performance as the precocious, book-loving Matilda showcased her vocal prowess, emotional depth, and ability to command a stage—qualities that undoubtedly caught the eye of casting directors for the Harry Potter series cast HBO.
Moreover, Stanton’s theatrical résumé includes a role as Control in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, which ran from July 2024 to February 2025. This role further demonstrated her versatility, as she brought to life a character in a high-energy, roller-skating musical. Her experience in these demanding productions highlights her readiness to tackle the complex role of Hermione Granger, a character known for her intelligence, bravery, and unwavering loyalty. As The Guardian noted in its coverage of the casting, Stanton’s prior work positions her as a “rising star” with the potential to redefine Hermione for a new generation.
The Casting Process: A Global Search for the Golden Trio
The journey to find the new Harry Potter cast was no small feat. HBO launched an open casting call in September 2024, inviting children aged 9 to 11 from the UK and Ireland to audition for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. According to HBO Max, over 32,000 young hopefuls submitted audition tapes, with casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann reviewing up to 1,000 tapes per day. The process was rigorous, requiring candidates to submit two videos: one performing a short story or poem, and another introducing themselves and discussing a close relationship in their life.
Read More
Todd Chrisley Pardon: A Reality TV Saga of Fraud, Prison, and Presidential Clemency
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, both executive producers, praised the talent of the selected trio in a statement: “After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.” This sentiment, echoed across sources like The Guardian and Forbes, underscores the excitement surrounding Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout.
Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger: A Perfect Fit?
For fans of the Harry Potter series, the casting of Hermione Granger is a particularly sensitive topic. The character, originally portrayed by Emma Watson in the blockbuster films from 2001 to 2011, is a cultural icon known for her bushy hair, sharp intellect, and fierce determination. While Watson’s portrayal was beloved, the books never explicitly describe Hermione’s ethnicity, leading to discussions about diverse casting. In the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hermione was portrayed by a Black actress, a choice J.K. Rowling endorsed, stating that Hermione’s skin color was never specified in the novels.
Arabella Stanton’s casting has sparked similar conversations. While no official statement has been made regarding Arabella Stanton’s ethnicity, online discussions, as noted in Forbes, have speculated about her background based on promotional images. These images, released by HBO Max, show Stanton with frizzy hair that aligns closely with the book’s description of Hermione, a detail fans have celebrated. One commenter on TVLine remarked, “Her hair and teeth are perfect :)” highlighting Stanton’s physical resemblance to the book’s Hermione more than Watson’s portrayal. However, HBO has emphasized its commitment to inclusive casting, stating that auditions were open “without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
Stanton’s theatrical background makes her a compelling choice. Her experience as Matilda, a character with a similar intellectual and defiant spirit, suggests she can capture Hermione’s essence. Moreover, her youth and relative inexperience on screen mirror the fresh-faced casting of the original trio—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—who were also unknowns when they were cast. As The New York Times reported, Stanton’s first onscreen role in the Harry Potter TV series could launch her career in the same way Radcliffe’s did, positioning her as a household name.
The Golden Trio: Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout
Arabella Stanton is joined by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, completing the Harry Potter HBO series cast’s central trio. McLaughlin, a Scottish actor, brings a touch of experience with roles in the upcoming BBC series Gifted and the Sky comedy Grow, where he stars alongside Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid in the HBO series. The Performance Academy Scotland, where McLaughlin trained, celebrated his casting on social media, stating, “We said from the start that Dominic was the perfect Harry, and we are thrilled for everyone else to see this soon too.”
Alastair Stout, on the other hand, is a true newcomer, with his only prior credit being an advertisement for Albert Bartlett’s Jersey Royal potatoes. His casting as Ron Weasley, a role defined by Rupert Grint’s comedic timing and loyalty, has drawn attention for its uncanny resemblance, as noted by Indian Express. Fans have remarked on Stout’s red hair and boyish charm, which align closely with the book’s description of Ron.
Together, this trio represents a fresh start for the Harry Potter cast HBO, inheriting roles that have been etched into popular culture. As The Verge noted, “There’s a new Harry, Hermione, and Ron at Hogwarts,” signaling a generational shift that promises to introduce these characters to a new audience while honoring the legacy of the original films.
The Adult Cast: A Star-Studded Ensemble
Beyond the young trio, the HBO Harry Potter cast boasts an impressive lineup of veteran actors. John Lithgow, a celebrated American actor known for 3rd Rock from the Sun, will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, a role previously played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. However, Lithgow’s casting has sparked some debate among fans, as reported by Daily Mail Online, due to his American background contrasting with J.K. Rowling’s insistence on British actors for the original films. Despite this, Lithgow’s dramatic range is expected to bring depth to the iconic character.
Paapa Essiedu, an Emmy-nominated British actor known for I May Destroy You, takes on the complex role of Severus Snape, originally portrayed by Alan Rickman. At 34, Essiedu is closer in age to the book’s Snape (31 in the first novel), offering a fresh perspective on the character’s tragic arc. Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch round out the confirmed adult cast, bringing a blend of theatrical gravitas and comedic flair to the Harry Potter series cast HBO.
The Vision for HBO’s Harry Potter Series
The HBO Harry Potter series, set to begin filming this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, promises to be a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels. Unlike the films, which condensed the books into two-hour movies, the series aims to explore each novel in greater depth, potentially spanning multiple seasons. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on His Dark Materials, serves as showrunner and writer, while Mark Mylod, a veteran of Succession and Game of Thrones, will direct multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling, an executive producer, has been a polarizing figure due to her views on transgender rights, prompting HBO to clarify that the series will not reflect her personal political views.
The production is a massive undertaking, with Daily Mail Online reporting a budget of £75 million per episode. The series will be filmed at a £1 billion studio complex in Leavesden, complete with its own school and medical center to support the young cast. This investment underscores HBO’s ambition to create a definitive adaptation that resonates with both longtime fans and new viewers.
Challenges and Expectations
The HBO Harry Potter series cast faces immense pressure to live up to the legacy of the original films, which grossed over $7.7 billion worldwide. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint became global stars, and their performances remain iconic. Radcliffe, in particular, has expressed support for the new cast, telling E! News in 2024, “I’m very excited to watch as an audience member.” However, he has ruled out a return, citing the need for the new series to stand on its own.
For Arabella Stanton, the role of Hermione Granger comes with unique challenges. The character’s intelligence and moral compass make her a fan favorite, but the scrutiny of online fandoms, particularly regarding Arabella Stanton’s ethnicity, adds complexity. HBO has pledged to protect its young stars from online toxicity, a commitment echoed in Pravaan’s coverage of the casting announcement. Fans have largely embraced Stanton’s casting, with comments on TVLine praising her resemblance to the book’s Hermione and her theatrical experience.
The Road Ahead
As production gears up for a 2026 premiere on HBO Max, the Harry Potter TV series is poised to redefine the wizarding world for a new generation. Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout stand at the forefront of this ambitious project, supported by a stellar adult cast including John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu. The series promises to delve deeper into Rowling’s novels, exploring subplots and characters omitted from the films, such as the expanded roles of secondary characters like Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, whose casting is still pending.
For Stanton, this role is a career-defining opportunity. Her journey from the West End to Hogwarts mirrors Hermione’s own arc of growth and discovery. As Forbes noted, “Stanton’s casting symbolizes HBO’s bold vision for Harry Potter—a blend of nostalgia and innovation.” Whether she can capture the magic of Hermione Granger remains to be seen, but her talent, poise, and theatrical background suggest she is more than up to the task.
Reference:
- The Guardian – Young actors revealed for Harry Potter TV series
- HBO Max – Harry Potter series casting announcement
- Forbes – Who Is Arabella Stanton? Meet The New Hermione In HBO’s Harry Potter Series
- The New York Times – Harry, Hermione and Ron Are Cast for HBO’s Harry Potter
- Deadline – HBO’s Harry Potter Series Casts Harry, Ron & Hermione
FAQ
Q: Who is Arabella Stanton?
A: Arabella Stanton is a young actress cast as Hermione Granger in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series. She previously starred as Matilda in Matilda: The Musical (2023–2024) and Control in Starlight Express (2024–2025) on London’s West End.
Q: What is known about Arabella Stanton’s ethnicity?
A: No official information has been released regarding Arabella Stanton’s ethnicity. Discussions about her background have surfaced online, but HBO’s casting call emphasized inclusivity, focusing on talent over ethnicity.
Q: Who else is in the HBO Harry Potter series cast?
A: The HBO Harry Potter cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Q: When will the Harry Potter TV series premiere?
A: The Harry Potter TV series is set to begin filming in summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, with a planned premiere on HBO Max in 2026. An exact release date has not been announced.
Q: How does the HBO series differ from the original Harry Potter films?
A: The HBO Harry Potter series is a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, aiming to explore the books in greater depth across multiple seasons. Unlike the films, which condensed the stories, the series will delve into subplots and characters omitted from the movies.
