The upcoming HBO television adaptation of JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels has announced the actors who will play Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter, and confirmed the on-screen debut of Charlie Weasley.
Jasper Talbot will take on the role of James Potter, while Hannah Chinn will play his wife Lily in the series based on the children's fantasy books.
Characters central to the story
Both characters die before the main narrative begins, killed by the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, with Lily sacrificing her life to protect her infant son, the title character. That night leaves the famous lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead and sets the events of Rowling's novels in motion.
James and Lily appear in the original Harry Potter films, including in flashbacks, but it is not yet known how prominent their roles will be in the new series.
Charlie Weasley cast for first time
Harry Gilby will play Charlie Weasley, the second eldest son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, marking the character's first appearance on screen. Charlie, a former Hogwarts student who works with dragons in Romania, was absent from the original film adaptations and is mentioned in the novels with rare appearances as the brother of Ron Weasley.
The new cast members were revealed in a post on the HBO Max Instagram on Monday, which read: "The magical family is growing."
Faithful adaptation planned
The show aims to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling's novels while offering a wider insight into the magical wizarding world beyond the film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2011. The three main characters – Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger – are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton.
The cast also includes Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and US actor John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore. The first season, adapted from Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, will launch this Christmas.
