The Harry Potter universe has been rife with controversy in recent years due to creator J. K. Rowling’s contentious online comments and cast members voicing their disapproval of her views on transgender issues. The saga looks set to continue as the son of a late, cherished actor from the magical realm has publicly criticised the newest adaptation of the beloved books.
An appeal for UK and Irish youngsters aged between nine and eleven to audition for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series was recently announced, with plans for the show to premiere in 2026.
The original movies, which catapulted Daniel Radcliffe to stardom as the titular character, have enjoyed monumental success, becoming one of the highest-earning film series globally.
Richard Harris, who sadly died in 2002, originally portrayed Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two instalments, before the late Michael Gambon assumed the role for the subsequent six films, reports the Express.
Gary Oldman, known for his portrayal of Sirius Black, has expressed interest in assuming the mantle of Dumbledore in the new project. However, Jared Harris, son of the first Dumbledore actor, candidly rejected the idea of filling his father’s shoes.
Speaking with The Independent, Jared responded to queries about inheriting the iconic part, simply stating: “No thank you.”
He expounded on his stance by explaining: “I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.”
Conversely, Gary Oldman, who starred in Slow Horses, appears eager to take another stab at playing the revered wizard, having previously labelled his performances in the initial Harry Potter movies as “mediocre.”
He shared with IndieWire: “Maybe in a few years, I could do Dumbledore.”
Jared is also seen as a natural successor to his father’s legacy, given his own respected status within the acting community.
The actor has gained recognition for his roles in acclaimed series such as Chernobyl, Mad Men, and The Crown.
Although he doesn’t appear overly keen on taking up the mantle, he acknowledged that there was “a lot of storytelling” from the original books that didn’t make it into the movies, which the upcoming TV adaptation could delve into.
The forthcoming Harry Potter series is being hailed as a “faithful adaptation” of the original texts, with J. K.Rowling tipped to be involved as an executive producer alongside Francesca Gardiner, who is celebrated for her contributions to Succession, His Dark Materials, and Killing Eve.
Mark Mylod, whose directorial prowess extends to hits like Succession, Game of Thrones, and The Last of Us, is set to direct and serve as an executive producer.
Rumours suggest the series will span seven seasons to correspond with each book in the series, eyeing a 2026 release date.