The world of Harry Potter has seen its fair share of drama in recent years following author J. K. Rowling’s comments about the transgender community.
And it seems the controversy doesn’t end there, as most recently, the son of beloved Albus Dumbledore actor Richard Harris has spoken out against the books being adapted for television.
An appeal for UK and Irish children aged between nine and 11 to audition for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has been sent out, with plans for the new show to premiere in 2026.
The original films, which made Daniel Radcliffe and his fellow young cast members household names, have enjoyed monumental success, becoming some of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
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Richard, who sadly died in 2002, originally portrayed Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two instalments, before the late Michael Gambon assumed the role for the subsequent six films, reports the Express.
Gary Oldman, known for his portrayal of Sirius Black, has expressed interest in assuming the mantle of Dumbledore in the new project. However, Jared Harris, son of the first Dumbledore actor, candidly rejected the idea of filling his father’s shoes.
Speaking with The Independent, Jared responded to queries about inheriting the iconic part, simply stating: “No thank you.”
He expounded on his stance by explaining: “I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.”
Conversely, Gary Oldman, who starred in Slow Horses, appears eager to take another stab at playing the revered wizard, having previously labelled his performances in the initial Harry Potter movies as “mediocre.”
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He shared with IndieWire: “Maybe in a few years, I could do Dumbledore.”
Jared is also seen as a natural successor to his father’s legacy, given his own respected status within the acting community.
The actor has gained recognition for his roles in acclaimed series such as Chernobyl, Mad Men, and The Crown.
Although he doesn’t appear overly keen on taking up the mantle, he acknowledged that there was “a lot of storytelling” from the original books that didn’t make it into the movies, which the upcoming TV adaptation could delve into.
The forthcoming Harry Potter series is being hailed as a “faithful adaptation” of the original texts, with J. K.Rowling tipped to be involved as an executive producer alongside Francesca Gardiner, who is celebrated for her contributions to Succession, His Dark Materials, and Killing Eve.
Mark Mylod, whose directorial prowess extends to hits like Succession, Game of Thrones, and The Last of Us, is set to direct and serve as an executive producer.
Rumours suggest the series will span seven seasons to correspond with each book in the series, eyeing a 2026 release date.
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