We’re officially two months away from the release of what is, if we’re being honest, probably the most eagerly anticipated television series to ever be produced. Despite grumbles over whether it’s too soon, whether it’s just a cash grab, or whether it’s politically and morally acceptable to watch the show, Harry Potter remains one of the biggest and most recognizable names in modern media. That’s why every announcement about HBO’s upcoming series is so exciting.
Season 2 of the show, based on J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is already in production with numerous cast announcements having already taken place for it. But three Season 1 castings have just been confirmed, and two of them happen to be the most pivotal characters in the entire saga.
HBO has officially announced that Harry Gilby, Jasper Talbot and Hannah Chinn have joined Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with Gilby playing Charlie Weasley, Talbot portraying James Potter and Chinn taking on the role of Lily Potter. While Charlie is an important member of the Weasley family, the casting of James and Lily is particularly significant, given that Harry’s parents are responsible for setting the entire story in motion, even if neither survives long enough to see their son grow up.
James and Lily were marked for murder by Lord Voldemort (who is still not cast, by the way) when Harry was just one year old, but their sacrifice, particularly Lily’s decision to stand in the way of Voldemort, is what allowed Harry to survive the Killing Curse. James and Lily are a constant presence throughout all seven books, with Harry learning more about them through the years.
Charlie Weasley, meanwhile, is the second-oldest of the Weasley children and works with dragons in Romania, which is a pretty sweet job when you think about it. Although he’s frequently mentioned throughout the original novels, Charlie never received a proper appearance in the eight-film franchise, but he’s something of a fan-favorite, so it’s nice to see him getting a chance to shine.
Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw
Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it’s your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
🦁Gryffindor
🐍Slytherin
🦡Hufflepuff
🦅Ravenclaw
01
What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.
02
A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are.
03
What does success look like to you? What you’re working toward defines who you’re becoming.
04
What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person.
05
The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.
06
What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.
07
You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.
08
The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: “You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?” This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.
The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been Chosen
After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.
Gryffindor Tower · Scarlet & Gold
🦁 Gryffindor
You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you’re terrified — especially then.
Gryffindors don’t act because they’re fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
You charge toward what’s right even when the odds are terrible.
Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts’s greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.
Slytherin Dungeon · Emerald & Silver
🐍 Slytherin
You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.
Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.
Hufflepuff Basement · Yellow & Black
🦡 Hufflepuff
You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.
Hufflepuff is not the “safe” house or the “leftover” house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
You show up. You work hard. You don’t need glory or recognition — you do what’s right because it’s right.
Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world’s finest. And now you join them.
Ravenclaw Tower · Blue & Bronze
🦅 Ravenclaw
Your mind is your greatest gift, and you’ve always known it.
Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it’s about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don’t know something yet.
You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.
Who Else Stars in ‘Harry Potter’?
The series is led by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, alongside John Lithgow (Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid, Lox Pratt (Lord of the Flies) as Draco Malfoy and Warwick Davis (Willow) as Filius Flitwick. Season 2 is already building its own impressive cast too, with Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) playing Gilderoy Lockhart, Lenny Rush (Doctor Who) voicing Dobby, Billy Barratt (Invasion) as Tom Riddle and Rafe Spall (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) as Arthur Weasley.
The series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner (Succession), with Mark Mylod (The Last of Us) directing multiple episodes. Rowling also serves as an executive producer alongside David Heyman, who produced the original film franchise.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
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