Stephen Fry responds after fans call for him to star in Harry Potter TV series
Stephen Fry has addressed the calls for him to take on a starring role in the upcoming Harry Potter series - which, we have to admit, would be absolutely brilliant.
With production of the HBO adaptation of the iconic Wizarding World franchise set to begin this summer, rumours have been flying around left, right and centre over who will be stepping into the shoes of Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the beloved characters.
Nothing has been officially confirmed for the cast, with a rep for HBO telling Variety: "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals."
But it was recently said that American actor John Lithgow is close to nearing a deal to be cast as Albus Dumbledore, as well as many rumours swirling that Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy will be joining the cast.
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And Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes has even said he’d be 'all in favour' of returning to play a villain.
Going by these rumours, it looks like the TV series - which is set to have seven seasons made up of seven episodes, each one based on one of JK Rowling's books - is set have one hell of a cast... and that could potentially include national treasure Stephen Fry.
As all those serious Potterheads out there will know, Fry is no stranger to the franchise, with him having narrated the audiobook of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. So it would make sense for him to take on a starring role in the upcoming series, right?
His name has been thrown around by fans ever since the show was first announced, with one writing on Reddit: "My dream cast includes him as Dumbledore, but I also think he’d make a great Bagman! And clearly no one cared about age for the movies."
Another said: "Professor Binns. He could make an appearance every season and it would be funny because Fry is of course very entertaining to listen to and Binns drones on and on in a sleep inducing monotone. Tom at the Leaky Cauldron would also be pretty cool. Start every school year off with Fry."
Speaking to Metro about whether or not he'd consider taking on a starring role in the series adaptation, Fry said: "Well, I’d certainly consider it! I’d consider anything that’s interesting."
When asked about whether he'd been approached for it, he answered: "No, as far as I know, I haven’t been – better check with my agent that that they run it past."
"So I don’t know who I would play, I’m too old for anybody in that word, aren’t I? Maybe I could be Minister for Magic, or something like that? Cornelius Fudge… For all I know they’ve already cast him."
The comedian then joked: "They’re doing seven episodes for each book, is that right? So 49 episodes - that’s a big series… Or I could be the Fat Lady in the portrait!"
The actor also addressed the rumours of the series' casting, including that of Lithgow's, saying: "I was reading that John Lithgow was going to play Dumbledore, which is wonderful casting. I’ve worked with him, he’s a terrific actor, absolutely brilliant. He’s almost made for [Dumbledore’s] little glasses."
Whether Fry would play the Fat Lady or Dumbledore, we have no doubt he'd would be an absolute star in the upcoming Harry Potter series.
The Harry Potter series is set to land on HBO Max's streaming service in 2026.
Topics: TV and Film, Harry Potter, UK News, Celebrity, JK Rowling
Emily Puckering