Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall (Image: WARNER BROS)
Netflix star Janet McTeer is reportedly in talks to take over from the late Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in HBO’s new Harry Potter series. Janet, 63, is known for playing Helen Piece in hit TV show Ozark. The star, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to drama, most recently had a main role in the series Kaos, which was surprisingly cancelled after just one season.
The news comes just after Paapa Essiedu was supposedly nearing a deal to portray Severus Snape. The Harry Potter series, designed to run over a decade, comes from Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod. It promises to be a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s novels that will “dive deep into each of the iconic books,” according to Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content.
Janet is only a couple of years younger than the late Maggie Smith was when she was cast as the Deputy Headmistress in the film franchise. In the Fantastic Beasts prequel films, the role was played by Fiona Glascott.
Janet McTeer is reportedly playing the professor (Image: Getty Images)
This would mark her return to HBO after she played Winston Churchill’s wife Clementine in the HBO film Into the Storm, earning an Emmy nomination.
HBO has not officially commented on the casting at this moment in time, saying in a statement: “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.”
John Lithgow is the only cast member who has officially been confirmed so far, as he announced he will be playing Albus Dumbledore.
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John Lithgow will play Professor Dumbledore (Image: Variety via Getty Images)
He said: “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life. I’m afraid.
“But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Fans have taken to to share their thoughts on the rumoured casting, with Historical_Poem5216 saying: “OMG JANET MCTEER YES YES YES.”
HolidaySituation added: “Yup. She’s a great choice.”
Kgrid14 noted: “6’1 McGonagall and 6’4 Dumbledore about to be intimidating af.”
The new Harry Potter series will air on HBO