• By MuggleNet Editorial Staff
• 30 Oct, 2026
• Latest

HBO has announced five additional actors for the first season of its upcoming Harry Potter television series, revealing who will bring some of the castle’s most recognizable ghosts, portraits, and magical objects to life.

The new cast members are:

Leo Bill as Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor house ghost
Andrew Brooke as the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin house ghost
Daniel Fearn as the Fat Friar, the Hufflepuff house ghost
Laura Smyth as the Fat Lady, the portrait guarding Gryffindor Tower
David Threlfall as the voice of the Sorting Hat

The announcement fills several important roles in the first season, which adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and premieres on Christmas Day.

Familiar Faces

Leo Bill takes over the role of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, better known as Nearly Headless Nick. The actor has appeared in Alice in Wonderland (2010), Taboo, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). John Cleese originally portrayed the character in the first two Harry Potter films.

Andrew Brooke, whose credits include Andor and The Agency, will portray the Bloody Baron. The Slytherin ghost has a dark history in the books, including his connection to Helena Ravenclaw, the Grey Lady. His intimidating reputation also makes him one of the few Hogwarts residents capable of controlling Peeves.

Daniel Fearn, known for appearances in Man vs. Bee and Things You Should Have Done, will play the Fat Friar. Hufflepuff’s cheerful house ghost had only a brief, uncredited appearance in the original films, making this an opportunity to give the character a bigger presence.

Meanwhile, comedian and actor Laura Smyth will portray the Fat Lady, whose portrait controls access to the Gryffindor common room. Elizabeth Spriggs played the character in Philosopher’s Stone, while Dawn French took over the role in Prisoner of Azkaban.

David Threlfall, best known for playing Frank Gallagher in the British series Shameless, will voice the Sorting Hat. Leslie Phillips provided the Hat’s distinctive voice throughout the original film series.

Will We Finally Hear the Sorting Hat Sing?

The casting of Threlfall raises an interesting question: Will HBO’s Sorting Hat perform its traditional song?

In the books, the Sorting Hat introduces itself to Hogwarts students through a song explaining the four houses and their founders. It even composes a new song each year, sometimes using the occasion to offer warnings about events affecting the wizarding world. The films largely skipped this tradition, but the television adaptation could finally give the Hat an opportunity to demonstrate its musical talents.

Also interestingly, Ravenclaw’s Grey Lady is the only Hogwarts house ghost not included in today’s announcement. The character becomes especially important later in the series, although she is introduced much earlier in the books.

Hogwarts Is Filling Up

The latest announcement follows a busy period of casting news for HBO’s adaptation.

Earlier this week, the production revealed that Harry Gilby will portray Charlie Weasley, Jasper Talbot will play James Potter, and Hannah Chinn will take on the role of Lily Potter.

The series has also confirmed Peter Serafinowicz as Peeves, another familiar Hogwarts resident whose absence from the original films has long been a talking point among readers.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout leading the cast as Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

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