Jared Harris, the son of original Albus Dumbledore actor Richard Harris, questions why a Harry Potter television series is being made. HBO’s Harry Potter series will span multiple seasons and will adapt each of the seven installments in the original book series. Francesca Gardiner, who previously worked on HBO’s His Dark Materials and Succession, has been tapped as the showrunner for the highly-anticipated reboot along with Game of Thrones‘ Mark Mylod directing several episodes.
The Independent asked Harris if he would be interested in playing his late father’s role of Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter series, to which Harris replied, “No, thank you.” Despite being unenthused about this possibility, Harris did admit that “a lot of storytelling” from the books is missing from the film adaptations and could be incorporated into the HBO series. Check out his other comments below:
Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.
What This Means For HBO’s Harry Potter Series
Casting Is Still In Progress
While Harris is an accomplished actor, whose impressive work includes Apple TV+’s science-fiction series Foundation, he makes it clear that he has no interest in being HBO’s Dumbledore. With many of the original Harry Potter cast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, not expressing interest in reprising their roles for the reboot, it is unsurprising that a relative of the original cast is also not interested. Harris’ attitude toward the series is indicative of a larger problem that the show will face, though, which is skepticism of how it can live up to the films’ positive legacy.
As the son of one of the original stars, Harris’ perspective is unique, and he is naturally protective of his father’s work, but his skepticism is grounded in some of the same concerns that have been common since the series was first announced. With casting for the new Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger still underway, the series is a long way off from season 1’s debut. Until then, neither Harris nor anyone else can fairly assess whether it is a justifiable reboot.
There’s Only One Way For The Series To Create A New Legacy
Harris’ comments prove that the Harry Potter series’ cast needs to be comprised of actors who were not in the films. He understands the films’ powerful legacy, and the only way that the series can create its own legacy is by casting new actors. This needs to be the case not only for the Hogwarts students, but for the adult characters as well. Even casting family members of the original cast is unnecessary. There are plenty of talented actors who can play the new iterations of Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, in the Harry Potter series.
Source: The Independent
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe
, Emma Watson
, Rupert Grint
, Tom Felton
, Alan Rickman
, Matthew Lewis
, Bonnie Wright
, Evanna Lynch
, Maggie Smith
, Michael Gambon
, Richard Harris
, Ralph Fiennes
, Helena Bonham Carter
, Alfred Enoch
, Harry Melling
, Gary Oldman
, Robert Pattinson
, Warwick Davis
, Oliver Phelps
, James Phelps
, David Bradley
, David Thewlis
, Katie Leung
, Jason Isaacs
, Imelda Staunton
, David Tennant
, Jamie Campbell Bower
, Timothy Spall
, Robbie Coltrane
, Eddie Redmayne
, Jude Law
, Katherine Waterston
, Ezra Miller
, Dan Fogler
, Alison Sudol
, Johnny Depp
, Mads Mikkelsen
