“Harry Potter” is coming to life in two major ways: HBO’s upcoming TV series and Audible’s narrated audiobooks of all seven of J.K. Rowling’s novels.
The HBO series is still more than a year away, but Audible’s version of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” will be released on Nov. 4. Each subsequent book will be released a month apart, culminating with “Deathly Hallows” on May 12.
While HBO’s and Audible’s casts are both star-studded (and share one key actor), Audible could focus on the voice of each performer rather than find someone who looked like Rowling’s characters from the books. Audible also split up some of the Hogwarts students to give them a young voice for “Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Chamber of Secrets” and “Prisoner of Azkaban,” then replace them with an older actor for “Goblet of Fire,” “Order of the Phoenix,” “Half Blood Prince” and “Deathly Hallows.”
Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester and Arabella Stanton star as Harry, Ron and Hermione in the first three books, with Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan and Nina Barker-Francis taking over for the final four. Notably, Stanton was also cast as Hermione in HBO’s series, giving listers of the Audible books a sneak peek at what her performance will be like in live-action.
Audible’s Hogwarts is filled with more than 200 actors and many big-name Hollywood stars. Hugh Laurie plays Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen is Voldemort, Riz Ahmed is Snape, Kit Harington is Gilderoy Lockhart, Keira Knightley is Dolores Umbridge and James McAvoy is Mad-Eye Moody.
See all of the cast members in Audible’s “Harry Potter” series below.
Harry Potter (Frankie Treadaway)
Frankie Treadaway will star as young Harry Potter in books 1-3. Treadaway is a theater actor with stage credits in “Matilda the Musical, “Peter Pan,” “Mary Poppins,” “Elf” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Daniel Radcliffe first brought Harry to life in the films and Dominic McLaughlin will take charge in the HBO series.
Ron Weasley (Max Lester)
Max Lester will assume the role of Harry’s partner in crime, Ron Weasley, in books 1-3. The redhead wizard is Harry’s best friend at Hogwarts and a member of Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. The young actor possesses a diverse portfolio with an acting role in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” to stage credits in “Les Misérables” and “Leopoldstadt.” He has also lent his voice to animations such as “Best Birthday Ever” and “Barbapapa,” as well as the BBC Radio 4 comedy series “Hennikay.” Alastair Stout is set to play Ron on the HBO series.
Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton)
Young Hermione Granger in books 1-3 will be voiced by Arabella Stanton, who will also play the main character in the upcoming HBO show. Considered to be one of the smartest witches in Hogwarts, Hermione is also a close friend to Harry and Ron. Stanton debuted as Matilda in “Matilda the Musical” and went on to perform in “Starlight Express” before joining the fantasy franchise.
Harry Potter (Jaxon Knopf)
As Harry grows older in books 4-7, the torch will be passed to Jaxon Knopf to voice the titular character. Knopf previously starred in plays “Big Fish, The Musical” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” as well as film roles in “Moishe.” He also voiced Ricky Zoom in the animation series of the same name.
Ron Weasley (Rhys Mulligan)
Rhys Mulligan will voice an older version of Ron Weasley in books 4-7. Mulligan has a dynamic performance background in theatre, on screen and voice acting. He has recently starred in “Matilda the Musical,” “Goodnight Mr. Tom,” “The Musicians,” “A Christmas Carol” and “Mr. Duncan.”
Hermione Granger (Nina Barker-Francis)
As Hermione comes of age, Nina Barker-Francis will step in as the teenage witch in books 4-7. She previously voiced the secondary lead role of Whitley in the animated series “Wolf King.” Her other TV credits include the sci-fi thriller “Moonhaven,” “The Jetty,” “House of the Dragon,” “The Power” and “Flack.”
Albus Dumbledore (Hugh Laurie)
Hugh Laurie will bring to life Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As a central figure in the series, Dumbledore plays a crucial role in mentoring Harry to learn magic and defeat Lord Voldemort. Laurie is an award-winning actor, producer, writer, musician and director who is best known for starring in the drama series. “House.” He has also appeared in films including “Tomorrowland,” “Flight of the Phoenix,” “Mr. Pip,” among other projects. Dumbledore was first played by Richard Harris, who died before the third movie filmed and was recast with Michael Gambon. John Lithgow is set to portray Dumbledore in the forthcoming “Harry Potter” series.
Lord Voldemort (Matthew Macfadyen)
Lord Voldemort is a powerful dark wizard whose ultimate goal is to achieve immortality and take over the wizarding world. After failing to kill Harry as an infant, his body was destroyed but later resurrected with a snake-like face. Matthew Macfadyen will lend his voice to the main antagonist. Macfayden is an award-winning actor with credits in “Succession,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Any Human Heart,” Criminal Justice” and more. Ralph Fiennes memorably played Voldemort in the movies.
Severus Snape (Riz Ahmed)
Severus Snape is the head of the Slytherin House and known for his hostility towards Harry and his friends. Snape begins as the potions instructor at Hogwarts, but it’s no secret he has his eye on the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Riz Ahmed most recently starred in Wes Anderson’s latest feature, “The Phoenician Scheme.” He has also acted in “Relay,” “Sound of Metal” and more. Alan Rickman famously played Snape in the movies, and Paapa Essiedu will portray Snape in the HBO series.
Draco Malfoy (Jude Farrant)
Harry’s nemesis, Draco Malfoy, comes from a long lineage of pure-blooded wizards, finding himself sorted into the Slytherin house. Throughout the books, Draco and Harry often go head-to-head at Hogwarts, and where Malfoy will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Tom Felton played the role in the original movies.
Draco Malfoy (Maximus Evans)
Maximus Evans will voice teenage Draco in books 4-7. Evans has TV credits in “Coronation Street,” “The Bay” and “Creeped Out.” Lox Pratt will portray Harry’s arch nemesis in the HBO series.
Neville Longbottom (Jake Sigsworth)
Neville Longbottom, portrayed by Jake Sigsworth in books 1-3, is in Gryffindor and a member of the one of the last remaining pure-blood families in the wizarding world. Audible’s adaptation of the “Harry Potter” books will be the first major role for Sigsworth, who doesn’t have any prior acting credits. Rory Wilmot will play Neville in the HBO series. Matthew Lewis originated the role in the movies.
Neville Longbottom (Archie Mountain)
Archie Mountain is set to voice an older Neville in books 4-7. Known for his clumsiness, Neville is initially underestimated but becomes a hero after helping Harry in several of his biggest magical fights. This will be Mountain’s first major role.
Rubeus Hagrid (Mark Addy)
Mark Addy’s greatest contribution to the fantasy genre may be playing the brutish King Robert Baratheon in “Game of Thrones,” but he will showcase a gentler touch in the “Harry Potter” audiobooks, voicing Hogwart’s warmhearted Keeper of Keys, Rubeus Hagrid. A fan-favorite character, Hagrid is a tender and gregarious confidant of Harry and his friends throughout all seven books. Robbie Coltrane first brought the character to life in the films and Nick Frost will take up the mantle in the HBO series.
Minerva McGonagall (Michelle Gomez)
Scottish actress Michelle Gomez, best known for her parts in “Doctor Who,” “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “The Flight Attendant,” will voice Hogwarts transfiguration professor and Head of Gryffindor House, Minerva McGonagall. A stern, yet steady presence in the school, McGonagall often appears as second in command behind Dumbledore. Maggie Smith portrayed her in the “Potter” films and Janet McTeer will play her in the series.
Professor Lockhart (Kit Harrington)
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart is a celebrity and author of books detailing his journey and adventures with dark creatures. He becomes the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Harry and other Hogwarts students found him to be obnoxious and full of himself. Harington previously starred as Jon Snow in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and also appeared in Marvel’s “Eternals.” Kenneth Branagh played Lockhart in the movies.
Professor Umbridge (Keira Knightley)
The colorful Dolores Umbridge served as the Senior Undersecretary to the Ministry of Magic, later becoming installed as the Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts. During her time at Hogwarts, Umbridge is abusive and cruel to the students, especially to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Knightley is known for her work in films like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Atonement,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and Netflix’s “Black Doves” series. Imelda Staunton played Umbridge in the movies.
Lucius Malfoy (Alex Hassell)
The patriarch of the Malfoy family, Lucius Malfoy is a princely and sneering figure introduced in the second “Potter” book. His character only grows viler as the saga progresses. Jason Isaacs played Lucious in the films and Johnny Flynn will play him on HBO. Alex Hassell will voice the character in the audiobooks. Hassel has previously appeared in “The Boys,” “Cowboy Bebop,” “His Dark Materials” and “Rivals,” and has preformed copiously on stage as a founding member of the Factory Theatre Company.
Professor Lupin (Iwan Rheon)
Professor Remus Lupin is the Defense Against The Dark Arts professor and is highly regarded as one of the best professors at Hogwarts during his time. Lupin is one of Harry’s favorite teacher, and he helps the young wizard on conjuring a Patronus during his younger years. Secretly, Lupin is a werewolf and hides his powers from his students. Iwan Rheon previously starred as Ramsay Bolton in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” BBC’s “Vicious,” and “Those About To Die.” David Thewlis played Lupin in the movies.
Sirius Black (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù)
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù of “Slow Horses,” “Gangs of London” and “Black Rabbit” will voice fan-favorite character Sirius Black. Harry’s godfather, Sirius is first believed to be a traitor to Harry’s parents and a murderous Deatheater in “Prisoner of Azkaban.” However, by the end of the book, he is revealed to be innocent and becomes the closest thing to Harry has to a father figure. Dìrísù’s “Slow Horses” co-star Gary Oldman played Sirius in the movies.
Mad-Eye Moody (James McAvoy)
Considered to be one of the most famous aurors, Mad-Eye Moody was another one of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professors at Hogwarts. James McAvoy previously played Charles Xavier in “X-Men: First Class,” with other roles in films like “Atonement,” “Split,” and “Speak No Evil.” Brendan Gleeson first played Mad-Eye in the movies.
Arthur Weasley (Simon Pegg)
The head of the Weasley family, Arthur is the head of Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. Simon Pegg has starred in films such as “Shaun of The Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” and the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. Mark Williams first played Bill in the movies.
Bill Weasley (Leo Woodall)
Bill is the oldest child of the Weasley family, who later comes back home after working for Gringotts Wizarding Bank as a curse-breaker. Woodall previously starred as Dexter Mayhew in Netflix’s “One Day,” and also appeared as Jack in Season 2 of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” Domhnall Gleeson first played Bill in the movies.
Nymphadora Tonks (Ambika Mod)
Nymphadora Tonks is an auror at the Ministry of Magic and a Metamorphmagus, meaning she can transform her appearance. Ambika Mod is known for her role as Emma Morley in the Netflix adaptation of “One Day,” and played Shruti Acharya in “This Is Going To Hurt.” Natalia Tena first played the character in the movies.
Bellatrix Lestrange (Ruth Wilson)
The evil Bellatrix Lestrange is one of Voldemort’s most trusted Death Eaters. Ruth Wilson has starred in projects such as “His Dark Materials,” “The Affair,” and “Ms. Wilson.” Helena Bonham Carter played Bellatrix in the movies.
Dobby (Daniel Mays)
Dobby the House Elf is a fierce admirer of Harry Potter’s, sometimes to Harry’s own chagrin. He gets Harry into lots of trouble trying to save him. The wide-eyed, bat-eared, falsetto-voiced diminutive creature makes his first appearance in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” as a slave to the Malfoy family. He then appears sporadically throughout the successive books. Dobby was created as a CGI puppet in the films and voiced by Toby Jones. In the new audiobooks, Daniel Mays from “Mrs. Biggs,” “The Thursday Murder Club” and “EastEnders” will lend his voice to the unique character.
Luna Lovegood (Millie Gubby)
A member of the Ravenclaw house, Luna Lovegood becomes one of Harry’s friends and key supporters in
“Order of the Phoenix.” She’s a quirky and odd student, who takes a liking to magical creatures. This will be Millie Gubby’s first major role, and Evanna Lynch first played the character in the movies.
Professor Trelawney (Saoirse-Monica Jackson)
Irish actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson of “Derry Girls” and “This City Is Ours” will voice Hogwarts Divination teacher, Professor Sybill Trelawney. A woman of uncertain abilities, Professor Trelawney spends more time talking about her magical premonitions that actually experiencing them. However, she does showcase real powers on a few key occasions. Emma Thompson played Professor Trelawney in the films.
Rita Skeeter (Anna Maxwell Martin)
Anna Maxwell Martin will voice Daily Prophet gossip columnist Rita Skeeter. Skeeter makes her first appearance in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” publishing salacious articles about Harry as he competes in the Triwizard Tournament. Martin previously appeared in the BBC adaptations of “Bleak House” and “Poppy Shakespeare” as well as “Line of Duty,” “Code 404” and “Motherland.” She’s previously contributed to the fantasy genre on stage, playing Lyra Belacqua in a National Theater adaptation of “His Dark Materials.” Skeeter was played by Miranda Richardson in the “Potter” films.
Parvati Patil (Avni Deshmukh)
One of the Patil twins, Parvati is a Gryffindor in the same year as Harry. Her biggest part in the “Potter” saga comes in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” when she attends the Yule Ball with Harry. Sitara Shah first brought Parvati to the screen in the third Potter movie before Shefali Chowdhury took over the role in subsequent films. Newcomer Alessia Leoni will play Parvati in the HBO series and internet personality Avni Deshmukh of digital duo “Sara and Avni” will voice her in the audiobook.
Padma Patil (Sara Deshmukh)
Parvati’s identical twin sister, Padma Patil is a Ravenclaw in Harry’s year at Hogwarts. She attends the Yule Ball with Ron in “The Goblet of Fire,” and ends up rightfully slighted by Ron’s petty attitude throughout the night. In “The Order of the Phoenix,” she is appointed as a Ravenclaw prefect and trains alongside Harry, Ron, Hermione and her sister in Dumbledore’s Army. Sharon Sandhu played Padma in “The Prisoner of Azkaban” movie before Afshan Azad took over the role in “Goblet of Fire” and beyond. Sara Deshmukh — Avni Deshmukh’s sister and the other half of their digital brand, ‘Sara and Avni”— will voice Padma in the audiobook.
Professor Slughorn (Bill Nighy)
A unique character who emerges late in the series, Horace Slughorn takes up the mantle as Hogwarts’ Potions Professor after Snape starts teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts in the sixth book. An extremely tenured professor with regretful ties to Voldemort’s past, Slughorn plays a crucial role in the saga’s final act. Bill Nighy will voice the character, marking the actor’s return to the Wizarding World, as he played Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour on screen in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.” Jim Broadbent played Slughorn in the films.
Stan Shunpike (David Holmes)
David Holmes will voice Stan Shunpike, the driver of the Night Bus who first appears in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Lee Ingleby previously played the character in the films. The audiobooks will not be Holmes’ first foray into the Wizarding World, as he served as Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first six films. An accident on the set of the seventh film left him partially paralyzed, though he still received credit as a stunt performer. He has since launched the podcast “Cunning Stunts” and was the subject of the 2023 HBO documentary, “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which Radcliffe executive produced.
Kreacher (Mackenzie Crook)
A house-elf who is loyal to Sirius Black’s family, Kreacher serves Harry later in the book series. Mackenzie Crook is most known for his role as Gareth Keenan in “The Office,” Orell in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” and Ragetti in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series.
Nearly Headless Nick (Stephen Mangan)
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, or known as Nearly Headless Nick, was a wizard of the royal court before being executed after a mishap. After being almost completely decapitated, Nick haunts Gryffindor Tower at Hogwarts and can pull his head off as a prank. Stephen Mangan has had previous roles in “Watership Down,” “Green Wing,” and as Dan Moody in “I’m Alan Partridge.”
Professor Sprout (Gemma Whelan)
Gemma Whelan, the actress best known for playing Yara Greyjoy in “Game of Thrones” and appearing in “Upstart Crow,” “The End of the F***ing World” and “Killing Eve,” will voice Hogwarts herbology professor, Pomona Sprout. The plant-loving teacher was previously portrayed by Miriam Margolyes in the “Potter” films and will be played by Sirine Saba in the upcoming series.
Madam Hooch (Tracy-Ann Oberman)
The flying instructor and Quidditch referee at Hogwarts, Madam Hooch teaches students like Harry how to ride on broomsticks, overseeing Quidditch players, and making sure students are following rules at the school. Tracy-Ann Oberman previously played Chrissie Watts on BBC’s “Eastenders” and Valerie Lewis in Channel 4’s “Friday Night Dinner.”
Sir Cadogan (Matt Berry)
Sir Cadogan is a knight from the days of King Arthur. Though he died centuries ago, he is immortalized as one of the talking paintings at Hogwarts, still showcasing his excessive fearlessness from the canvas. Though Cadogan can only be caught as a fleeting background figure in the “Potter” movies, he has ample dialogue in the books. Comedian Matt Berry from “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The IT Crowd” and “A Minecraft Movie” lends his voice to the hilariously overzealous character.
Narrator (Cush Jumbo)
Among the “Harry Potter” audiobooks’ all-star cast, Cush Jumbo will have the most prominent voice the throughout the series. Voicing the narrator, the British writer and actress best known for playing Lucca Quinn on CBS’s “The Good Wife” will be heard on every page of the seven volumes. Jumbo will be the new voice of the Wizarding World, just as Stephen Fry and Jim Dale respectively narrated the original British and American versions of the audiobooks as they released in the early aughts.