HBO’s boss said casting has not been impacted (David Silverman/Getty Images/ Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Canva)

The contentious views of Harry Potter author JK Rowling have not affected the casting process for the new TV adaption of the stories, according to HBO chief executive Casey Bloys.

Rowling, who is an executive producer of the series about the young wizard, has courted controversy in recent years for her views on the trans community and, in particular, gender-affirming care, single-sex spaces and women’s sport.

She has also engaged in online rows on the issues with the likes of broadcasters India Willoughby and Kirstie Allsopp and actor JJ Welles.

News of the TV series, which will not feature the three main stars of the original films, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, first broke last year, and each season is expected to be based separately on the seven books and have budgets similar to other HBO shows such as Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

“She’s been fairly involved, she was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,” Bloys told journalists at HBO’s 2025 preview presentation in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

“I imagine she’ll have opinions on casting. It hasn’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff or anything, so we haven’t felt any impact from that.”

Bloys, who previously dismissed JK Rowling’s views as a “a very online conversation”, added that the show might premier in 2027 but insisted fans of the Wizarding World should not “hold me to any of that because we’re just getting started with the writing and casting process”.
Casting for the TV series is said not to have been affected by JK Rowing’s controversial views. (Max)
He went on to say that the age of the child cast is something executives were considering carefully.

“One of the ideas we talked about was shooting the first season and the second season very close to each other, time-wise, because from 11 to 13 is a big jump in kids’ lives.

“You can get away with 13 to 15, something like that. So, we are going to have to think about scheduling and shooting so that they don’t grow too much between seasons. It is a consideration.”

The first film arrived in 2001 and was shot when Radcliffe was 11, Grint 12 and Watson was 10 – closely matching the ages of their first-year-pupil characters. Filming concluded in late 2010 for the final instalment, when the trio were somewhat older than Harry, Ron and Hermione during the epic Battle of Hogwarts.

How Daniel Radcliffe’s Bold Script Choices Keep His Career Magic Alive!

Few actors can claim a legacy as towering as Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal of Harry Potter. For over a decade, Radcliffe embodied the Boy Who Lived, anchoring a franchise that captivated audiences globally. Yet, as the final credits rolled on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the question loomed: What would Daniel Radcliffe do next? How does an actor break away from such a defining role without being forever overshadowed by it? In true form, Radcliffe opted for paths less traveled, embracing projects that explored the full breadth of his talent and creativity.

A Bold Break from Blockbusters

Rather than capitalizing on his global fame to pursue traditional Hollywood roles, Radcliffe took a step back from mainstream blockbusters. He veered sharply into more experimental, daring, and often challenging projects. One of his earliest post-Potter ventures was the horror film The Woman in Black (2012). This atmospheric ghost story was a conscious move away from his magical past. Radcliffe portrayed Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer grappling with grief and a haunting presence. The film’s gothic tone and psychological undercurrents signaled his willingness to dive into darker, more mature roles, presenting an actor who sought to prove himself as more than just a child star.

This leap from a beloved franchise into horror might have seemed like a risky decision, but for Radcliffe, it was precisely the kind of challenge he needed. He embraced the chance to showcase his capacity for subtle, slow-burn performances, inhabiting roles that relied less on spectacle and more on emotional resonance.

An Affinity for Absurdity and Indie Quirks

Radcliffe’s choices only grew bolder from there. In 2016, he took on what might be his most unconventional role to date in Swiss Army Man. Directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan (collectively known as “the Daniels”), this absurdist comedy cast Radcliffe as Manny, a flatulent corpse who becomes a stranded man’s (Paul Dano) companion and unlikely survival tool. Described by some as the “farting corpse movie,” it defied expectations and conventional storytelling.

Radcliffe’s commitment to the bizarre premise demonstrated his willingness to embrace the strange, challenging, and even ridiculous. He was unafraid to take a risk, trusting the vision of indie filmmakers and the offbeat scripts they presented. Swiss Army Man became a cult hit, further establishing Radcliffe as an actor uninterested in playing it safe.

Embracing Psychological Conflict and Moral Complexity

What distinguishes Radcliffe’s post-Harry Potter career is not just his willingness to embrace unconventional stories, but also his gravitation towards characters grappling with profound internal conflict. In Imperium (2016), Radcliffe portrays Nate Foster, a young FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a white supremacist group. The role required Radcliffe to shed any remnants of his boy-wizard persona and fully embody a man dealing with deep moral and psychological challenges.

Similarly, Escape from Pretoria (2020) saw Radcliffe take on the role of real-life political prisoner Tim Jenkin, who, along with two other inmates, orchestrated a daring escape from apartheid-era South Africa’s Pretoria Central Prison. These films delve into darker, more politically charged subject matter, allowing Radcliffe to explore nuanced performances that engage with historical and ethical dilemmas.

In Horns (2013), based on the novel by Joe Hill, Radcliffe plays Ig Perrish, a man accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend who mysteriously grows horns that give him the ability to uncover people’s darkest secrets. The film merges horror with moral inquiry, asking deep questions about guilt, vengeance, and identity. Once again, Radcliffe’s performance navigates this complexity with an intensity that proves his dedication to the craft of acting.

Collaborating with Visionary Filmmakers

Radcliffe’s artistic evolution has also been shaped by his choice of collaborators. Rather than seeking out familiar, blockbuster directors, he has consistently worked with indie filmmakers, visionary auteurs, and emerging talents. By doing so, he has gained access to scripts that push boundaries and storytelling that deviates from the Hollywood norm.

In Kill Your Darlings (2013), Radcliffe starred as a young Allen Ginsberg, opposite actors like Dane DeHaan, Ben Foster, and Michael C. Hall. The film, set during the Beat Generation, captured the rebellion, chaos, and genius of Ginsberg’s early life. Radcliffe’s portrayal of Ginsberg—deeply vulnerable, intellectual, and searching—showed his ability to slip into the skins of historical figures while maintaining the emotional depth that is the hallmark of great performances.

Similarly, Now You See Me 2 (2016) presented an opportunity for Radcliffe to experiment within the heist genre. While the film didn’t possess the same indie credentials as some of his other works, it allowed him to flex his comedic and villainous muscles, portraying Walter Mabry, a tech mogul with a grandiose scheme. His performance was both charming and unsettling, adding layers of intrigue to a character that could have easily been a straightforward antagonist.

Escaping Typecasting and Defining His Own Path

What has allowed Daniel Radcliffe to navigate the post-Harry Potter years so successfully is his unwavering refusal to be typecast. The weight of playing one of the most iconic characters in film history could have easily led him into a creative dead end. Instead, he has intentionally sought out projects that distance him from his magical past, while simultaneously proving that he possesses the range and depth to embody vastly different personas.

In interviews, Radcliffe has spoken openly about the importance of diversity in his work. He’s been careful to avoid projects that would pigeonhole him as a certain “type” of actor. By exploring genres as varied as horror, comedy, thriller, and drama, he has managed to keep audiences guessing and critics engaged. This refusal to rest on his laurels and consistently seek out new challenges is a testament to his dedication to the craft and his desire to remain artistically relevant.

Passion for the Stage

Radcliffe’s passion for performance extends beyond the silver screen. He has continuously returned to the theater, where he first honed his craft. His stage work has been just as daring and diverse as his film choices. In 2007, while still filming the Harry Potter series, he made headlines with his role in Equus, a psychologically intense play about a boy who blinds horses. The role required Radcliffe to strip away any remnants of his child-star image, both literally and figuratively, as he delivered a raw, vulnerable performance that shocked audiences and critics alike.

More recently, his turn in The Cripple of Inishmaan (2014) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (2017) have reaffirmed his commitment to live performance. The theater provides Radcliffe with the opportunity to tackle material that might not always translate to the screen, but offers significant emotional and intellectual challenges. His work on stage influences his choices in film, as he gravitates toward roles that demand intense emotional investment and layered performances.

Radcliffe’s Commitment to the Craft

What makes Daniel Radcliffe’s post-Harry Potter career so compelling is his clear love for acting. For Radcliffe, the craft itself—the process of inhabiting different characters, exploring new genres, and collaborating with like-minded filmmakers—appears to be more important than maintaining celebrity status. This artistic curiosity and integrity have helped him carve out a career that, while perhaps surprising to some, has been consistently interesting and versatile.

By seeking out indie films, dark psychological thrillers, and challenging stage roles, Radcliffe has proven that his career will not be defined by one iconic role. Instead, he’s laid the foundation for a lasting legacy built on diversity, risk-taking, and a passion for storytelling.

The Future of Daniel Radcliffe

As Radcliffe continues to grow as an actor, one thing remains clear: he will not be limited by genre or expectation. Whether he is playing a corpse, a wizard, a poet, or a criminal mastermind, Daniel Radcliffe has shown that he possesses the range, creativity, and commitment to keep audiences captivated. With each new role, he reinforces the idea that true artistry lies in evolution and reinvention.

In many ways, Radcliffe’s journey mirrors that of the most successful actors who’ve transcended their early roles to become well-rounded, accomplished performers. Like Johnny Depp post-Pirates of the Caribbean, or Robert Pattinson after Twilight, Radcliffe has made the deliberate decision to steer his career in unexpected directions. If his body of work so far is any indication, the best is yet to come for Daniel Radcliffe—a versatile, risk-taking actor who has left Harry Potter behind to forge his own path in the world of film and theater.

From Yasmin Finney to Tyler DiChiara, here are some trans stars who could be cast in the Harry Potter TV reboot. (Getty/Canva)

Let’s be honest: the new Harry Potter TV series sounded doomed to us from the moment it was announced.

For starters, when production begins next year, it will be doing so in the shadow of its creator – she who shall not be named – and her online comments about the trans community.

Secondly, it will arrive in a world that appears to be increasingly intolerant of adult Potter fans. When a large group of self-styled Potterheads showed up at King’s Cross station for the annual “Back to Hogwarts Day” announcement earlier this month – despite it already being announced that it wouldn’t be going ahead – they were left devastated. But while they moaned, the internet cackled.

“I feel like society has got too focused on criticising Disney adults when Harry Potter adults exist,” wrote one social media user in a now-viral post. “I just think going to Disney World is significantly less cringe-worthy than crowding into King’s Cross for an announcement about a train that doesn’t exist.”

Even a star of films has called on fans to “be over it” by now. Earlier this year, Miriam Margoyles, who played Professor Sprout, expressed feeling “worried” about those still invested. “It was 25 years ago, and it’s for children,” she said.
We’re not sure JK Rowling will be too happy with our cast suggestions. (Max)
Plus, it’s only about 12 since the final film hit cinemas, and with the Cursed Child stage show, the Warner Bros studio tour, the Hogwarts Legacy and Quidditch Champions games, and re-runs on ITV seemingly every two to three days, there’s hardly a dearth of Potter content.

And yet, HBO and Warner Bros Discovery are beavering away on the TV series. They’ve just put out a casting call, with a note saying they are “committed to inclusive, diverse casting,” and want to see auditions from actors regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. Diagon Alley? More like Diagon Ally, sister!

The thing is, whoever is cast will have the Rowling question lingering over their careers for a long time. It’s doubtful that any fairly established or knowing actor will want the lead roles of Harry, Hermione or Ron, while you’d have to feel compassion for any up-and-coming thespian who naively put their name forward.

However, the TV network, as some on the internet are suggesting, has the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever: cast trans stars in all the leading roles. It will probably take some serious witchcraft and wizardry for any to audition, but you never know.

So, here’s our very unserious trans and non-binary cast list for the leading characters in the series.

Harry

Misia Butler (R) could take over from Daniel Radcliffe in the new series. (Getty)
Whoever slips on Harry’s invisibility cloak will need to know a thing or two about carrying a much-loved adventure franchise on their back. Tyler DiChiara, who played Cullen Row in The CW’s now cancelled Gotham Knights series, has done just that. He also played Kai, the lead in adventure comedy film Relish, which currently has a 98 per cent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He’d keep the series in safe hands.

Another trans star with form for slaying in the mythical and magical space is Kaos actor Misia Butler. He’s been the breakout star of the new Netflix series, playing hero Caeneus, so you could argue that this would be a sensible next step.

Finally, Australian actor Morgan Davies could be a good shout, if he can nail an irritating Surrey accent. In last year’s horror movie Evil Dead Rise, he played Danny, a boy whose stupidity unleashed malevolent spirits upon the world.

Ron

Elliot Fletcher (R) not Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. (Getty)
Elliot Fletcher played an excellent best friend to lead character Hero in Y: The Last Man, a role which sounds suspiciously similar to that of Potter sidekick Ron Weasley. We’ve found our man!

A good back-up option could be I Love Dick star Bobbi Salvör Menuez. They also starred alongside Amandla Stenberg as a werewolf in 2023’s supernatural horror flick My Animal, which feels Harry Potter adjacent enough. Plus, they’ve got that ginger gene down, a borderline essential characteristic for any would-be Weasley.

A final option could come in the form of ex-Hollyoaks star Tylan Grant, who would bring acting awards gravitas to the role.

Hermione

Yasmin Finney (R) is the obvious choice to fill Emma Watson’s shoes. (Getty)

The list of trans legends who could play the insufferable half-blood Hermoine Granger is fairly long, mainly because there are more transgender women breaking through the industry’s notoriously thick glass ceiling than trans men.

First up is non-binary star Bella Ramsey, who HBO is likely to have on speed-dial given they starred in The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, two of the TV network’s biggest hits. In the former, they play a frustrated teen trying to be level-headed in the most menacing of circumstances. Hermoine, for sure.

There are a few adored teen series the casting team could pull from, too: perhaps Yasmin Finney or Bel Priestley from Heartstopper, or Sex Education‘s Anthony Lexa. Finney is another star well-versed in appearing British national treasures: she played Rose Noble in Doctor Who last year.

Lastly, if HBO wanted a trans actress whose name is still relatively hidden in a chamber of secrets, they could look to Fangirls star Mary Malone, who also put in an appearance in Doctor Who, or Wreck and The Jetty actress Miya Ocego.

Whatever happens, it’s probably going to take more than a reparo spell to fix the new series’ reputation – and that’s before it’s even gone into production.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.