HBO has added three key roles to the second season of its Harry Potter television series. Billy Barratt will play young Tom Riddle, while Lenny Rush will voice Dobby the house elf. Bonnie Hill will take over the role of Ginny Weasley for the second season.
The new casting comes as HBO prepares to bring the wizarding world back to the screen with its television adaptation of JK Rowling’s books. The first season will be titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barratt will play Tom Riddle, the young version of Lord Voldemort. The actor starred in Bring Her Back and Invasion. At 13, he became the youngest winner of the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the television film Responsible Child. Barratt is also the first actor cast as Voldemort in the new adaptation.
HBO has yet to reveal who will play the adult Voldemort. There has been considerable online speculation about the role. The character’s face is expected to appear at the end of the first season.
British actor and presenter Lenny Rush will play Dobby. The house elf will presumably appear through computer-generated imagery. Rush is known for A Woman of Substance.
Young actor Bonnie Hill, who appeared in The Six Triple Eight and Girl Troop versus Aliens, will play Ginny from the second season. The role has been recast after Gracie Cochrane stepped away following the filming of the first season.
The production previously said Cochrane made the decision because of unforeseen circumstances. It described her time in the Harry Potter world as wonderful and said she remained grateful to casting director Lucy Bevan and the production team. Cochrane also expressed excitement about her future opportunities.
The new casting follows HBO’s release of another trailer for the series. The footage offers a closer look at the cast and Harry’s first year at Hogwarts.
HBO has also released a new description for the first season. Harry Potter grows up believing there is nothing special about him, as his Aunt Petunia tells him. His life changes when a mysterious letter arrives from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The letter opens the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship and adventure. But dark secrets lurk within Hogwarts, forcing Harry to find the courage to face the darkest wizard of all.
The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The cast also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan and Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas.
Tristan Harland plays Fred Weasley, while Gabriel Harland plays George Weasley and Ruari Spooner plays Percy Weasley. Alessia Leoni plays Parvati Patil and Sienna Moosah plays Lavender Brown. Finn Stephens plays Vincent Crabbe and William Nash plays Gregory Goyle. Warwick Davis plays Filius Flitwick and Sirine Saba plays Pomona Sprout.
Francesca Gardiner serves as writer and executive producer. Mark Mylod will also executive produce and direct multiple episodes. HBO is producing the series with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television.
J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, along with David Heyman of Heyday Films, serve as executive producers.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will debut on HBO on 25 December.
