By Karim Hammam
HBO has announced that David Threlfall, known for his role as Frank Gallagher in the UK comedy drama Shameless, will voice the Sorting Hat in its upcoming Harry Potter television series.
Additional cast announcements
The network also revealed Andrew Brooke as the Bloody Baron, Daniel Fearn as the Fat Friar, Leo Bill as Nearly Headless Nick, and Laura Symth as the Fat Lady.
Series details and premiere
The first season, based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is set to debut on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day. The cast already includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
Further casting for future seasons
Jasper Talbot and Hannah Chinn have been cast as James and Lily Potter. For the second season, based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Kit Harington will portray Gilderoy Lockhart, Rafe Spall will play Arthur Weasley, and Billy Barratt will appear as Tom Riddle. J.K. Rowling serves as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman, Laura Neal, and Jon Brown.
