Hogwarts is welcoming five more familiar faces or, in some cases, ghosts! HBO has announced new casting additions for its upcoming Harry Potter series, revealing the actors who will bring the Sorting Hat, Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron, the Fat Friar and the Fat Lady to life.

With the first season adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, these latest announcements add even more detail to the magical world Harry is about to discover.

Meet the New Residents of Hogwarts

Leading the announcement is David Threlfall, known for Shameless and Nightsleeper, who will lend his voice to the Sorting Hat. The enchanted hat plays a crucial role in every Hogwarts student’s life, deciding which of the four houses they will call home. Fans will be eager to hear how Threlfall approaches one of the wizarding world’s most recognisable magical objects.

Meanwhile, Leo Bill (Alice in Wonderland, The Living and the Dead) has been cast as Nearly Headless Nick, the friendly Gryffindor ghost whose full name is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington.

The other Hogwarts ghosts will also have their moment in the spotlight. Andrew Brooke (The Agency, PhoneShop) will portray the Bloody Baron, the imposing ghost of Slytherin House, while Daniel Fearn (Things You Should Have Done, Slow Horses) will play the cheerful Fat Friar, Hufflepuff’s resident spirit.

Finally, comedian Laura Smyth (Baby Reindeer) will take on the role of the Fat Lady, the portrait guarding the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. Students hoping to enter the common room will need more than a friendly greeting — they’ll have to know the password!

A Chance to Explore More of the Wizarding World

While several of these characters appeared in the original Harry Potter films, their roles were often limited by the need to condense the books into feature-length adaptations.

The HBO series offers a different opportunity. With each season based on a book, the show has more room to explore Hogwarts and its inhabitants, including the magical details that helped make the school feel like a world of its own.

From the Sorting Hat’s memorable house assignments to the ghosts wandering the castle corridors, these characters are an essential part of the Hogwarts experience. Their expanded presence could help the series capture more of the atmosphere and personality of J.K. Rowling‘s original story.

Of course, exactly how much screen time each character will receive remains to be seen.

The First Season Arrives This Christmas

The new additions join an already extensive cast led by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

The ensemble also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick.

Other recently announced cast members include Harry Gilby as Charlie Weasley, Jasper Talbot as James Potter and Hannah Chinn as Lily Potter.

The first season, officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will premiere on December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max, where available. The eight-episode season will follow Harry’s first steps into the wizarding world, from receiving his Hogwarts letter to discovering the secrets hidden within the castle.

Season 2 Is Already in the Works

HBO is also looking ahead. Work is underway on the second season, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Several new cast members have already been announced for the next chapter, including Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley, Lenny Rush as Dobby, Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley, Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle and Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey.