Harry Potter fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the forthcoming TV series.
HBO announced the project in April 2023 and it will be adapting JK Rowling’s seven novels.
Per Deadline, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content, said: “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way.
“Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World.
“In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
As Bloys mentioned, the show was first slated for streaming service Max, although it later became an HBO original.
While author JK Rowling commented: “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.”
Die-hard Potterheads hope the show will explore Rowling’s books more thoroughly than the films could.
Naturally, they’re also wondering who’ll be cast as the story’s beloved characters. Which actors will next take on iconic roles, potentially for a decade?
Considering the HBO link, some suspect familiar faces from Game of Thrones will likely pop up in the Harry Potter TV series.
For those uninitated, the smash-hit fantasy drama was a worldwide hit for eight years. Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, the narrative followed characters in the fictional land of Westeros.
Now, fans of both franchises have two specific stars in mind as potential Albus Dumbledore candidates.
In Rowling’s books, Dumbledore is a brilliant, centuries-old wizard who serves as Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Throughout the series, he is also a key mentor to the main character, Harry Potter, throughout the younger wizard’s journey.
Whoever gets the role will succeed previous actors Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law.
Let’s take a look at what the fans have to say.
Iain Glen
Scottish actor Iain Glen played Jorah Mormont throughout Game of Thrones‘ run, spanning 2011 to 2019.
Taking to Reddit, a fan suggested Glen as a Dumbledore candidate for the Harry Potter TV series.
They wrote: “He’s tall, thin with piercing blue eyes; the right age: has TV pedigree from GoT and others… and can play light and powerful really well. Thoughts?”
Other comments left their feedback on the fancasting.
One person wrote: “I think he is good mix of appearing both competent and goofy.”
Another shared: “I actually kind of like it? He’s possibly a bit on the young side for Dumbledore but still a cool choice.”
A third added: “I’ve always liked him as an actor. If they could age him up with the hair and beard, yeah sure.”
While yet another remarked: “He would be really good honestly, really good pick. I love his voice….”
Conversely, someone else wrote: “I think Jared Harris, Mark Rylance or Liam Cunningham are better options. Iain could play Filch.”
Aside from his time in Westeros, Glen has had a decorated career in film, television and theatre.
He portrayed Dr. Alexander Isaacs/Tyrant in three Resident Evil movies. This character was the maniacal CEO of the Umbrella Corporation.
Meanwhile, he’s no stranger to taking on beloved characters. Between 2019 and 2021, Glen guest starred as Bruce Wayne in DC Comics show Titans.
His stage work includes Shakespeare productions Hamlet, Henry V and Macbeth. However, his performances in the original production of Martin Guerre, the West End production of The Blue Room and the 2006 West End revival of The Crucible each earned an Olivier Award nomination.
But will Glen be playing Dumbledore? Time will tell.
Liam Cunningham
Irish actor Liam Cunningham played Davos Seaworth on Game of Thrones – joining the hit show in season two.
Like former co-star Iain Glen, Cunningham has likewise been suggested as a potential Dumbledore for the Harry Potter TV series.
Writing online, a fan said: “At first glance you might think “Ah, it’s just because he’s old and has a beard”, but that’s not it.
“In addition to Game of Thrones, where he was great in the role of Davos Seaworth, I’ve watched a dozen films of different genres (horror, action, drama) with Liam Cunningham and what I’ve seen makes me honestly believe that he could portray the many facets of Dumbledore.
“The wise mentor, the lovable and funny grandfather, the powerful and intimidating wizard, and the manipulative and ambiguous player.”
Another person responded: “My favorite GoT character! & as a deep lover of A Little Princess this is by far my favorite fancast I’ve seen so far!”
A fellow fan chimed in: “He played the gentle and devoted father of the main character in Alfonso Cuaron’s A Little Princess. I think he’d be an excellent Dumbledore!”
However, another user didn’t quite agree, as they penned: “I’d prefer him as Madeye.
“While I agree he has the kind grandfatherly demeanor, he is more rugged than Dumbledore. Strikes me as more of a brawler than an intellectual.”
As well as A Little Princess, Cunningham has several other film and TV projects under his belt.
Cunningham’s other movies include Dog Soldiers (2002), The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), The Escapist (2008) and Let Us Prey (2014).
On the TV side, he’s appeared in Doctor Who, Merlin, Vera and Rick and Morty. As of writing, he’s appearing as MI6 chief Thomas Wade in Netflix’s 3 Body Problem.
That show was created by Game of Thrones developers D.B. Weiss, David Benioff, along with Alexander Woo.
But will Cunningham be cast as Dumbledore? Fans hoping so will have to wait and see.
Follow writer Conor O’Brien on Twitter/X
A lifelong TV and Film buff, Conor founded Courageous Nerd in 2019. He has conducted hundreds of interviews for the site, as well as written comprehensive feature articles on a variety of topics. You can find him on X: @conorrcn.
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