HBO’s new adaptation of the seven-part Harry Potter book series is making some changes from the films, including the live-action revival of a fan-favorite phantom. While fans can expect new actors to embody iconic roles, they can also expect a more fleshed-out retelling of the books, thanks to the extended runtime of eight-episode seasons.
Variety reported Monday that actor Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead, The Tick) is the latest English actor to join HBO’s Harry Potter show. Serafinowicz has reportedly been cast as Peeves the Poltergeist, a character from the books who was cut from the films.
According to the official Harry Potter website, “Peeves enjoyed nothing more than causing chaos in the school corridors. A constant nuisance, no one disliked Peeves more than the school’s caretaker, Argus Filch, who was the one tasked with cleaning up the mess. Whether he was throwing things, blowing raspberries or writing rude words on the blackboard, there was nothing Peeves liked best than making mischief!”
Peeves was at one point planned to appear in Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter film series. The late Rik Mayall (The Young Ones, Drop Dead Fred) was cast as Peeves and filmed scenes for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but the character was cut in post-production. Director Chris Columbus said that he and producer David Heyman were unhappy with the character’s design.
Despite not appearing in the live-action Harry Potter films, Peeves shows up in multiple video game adaptations of the movies. He appears in the video game versions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as well as the Lego Harry Potter games and Hogwarts Legacy.
The new Harry Potter series will debut this Christmas on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.
Rounding out the cast are Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
HBO’s Harry Potter series starts production, offers first look at the Boy Who Lived
The series is set to debut in 2027
