HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has launched an open casting call for young actors between the ages of nine and 11.
Currently only residents of the UK and Ireland are considered eligible to be cast for the roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
The team behind the revival of the book series by JK Rowling has said it’s committed to including “diverse” casting.
It said: “For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated."
The call opened earlier this week, ahead of HBO confirming the series to Variety. Fans of the Harry Potter book series and film adaptations had spotted the casting call circulating online.
Among listed requirements, children are asked to use their own accents when sending in two videos.
One must be of "a short poem or story" (though nothing from Harry Potter) and the second "telling us a bit about yourself, including your date of birth, height and where you live".
Submissions will close on October 31 and applications must be submitted by parents or legal guardians.
While no official release date has been disclosed, the casting call notes that filming for the show’s first season is expected to happen during 2025-2026 in the UK.
Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, who worked on Succession, will serve as writer and director respectively.
The series is said to serve as a “faithful adaptation” of the Harry Potter books.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint had landed their acting roles in August 2000 when they were first adapted for film.
Much like his former co-star Watson, Grint had no previous screen experience before applying to play Ron - which he heard about on BBC1's Newsround before sending in a video of himself rapping.
Radcliffe already had some on-screen experience by the time he landed the prized role as Harry, after appearing in BBC1's adaptation of David Copperfield and making his movie debut in John Boorman's film The Tailor Of Panama.
Radcliffe is not expected to make a cameo in the new series but told E! News he was “excited” to see it, adding: "I think they very wisely want a clean break.”
