HBO Casts Harry Gilby as Charlie Weasley
The network also revealed new casting details for the parents of Harry Potter ahead of the series premiere.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Television
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HBO has officially cast 25-year-old actor Harry Gilby to portray Charlie Weasley in the upcoming television adaptation of the Harry Potter franchise. The announcement also confirms that Jasper Talbot and Hannah Chinn will join the cast as James and Lily Potter.
Why it matters
The casting updates flesh out the character lineup for the highly anticipated series as production continues. Fans are looking to these selections to establish the tone for the reimagined world ahead of its scheduled release.
Original Charlie Weasley actor Alex Crockford appeared on screen for just 1.5 seconds in a 2004 family photograph. This new series follows the original franchise, which spanned 8 feature films.
The players
Harry Gilby
He is a 25-year-old actor who previously appeared in The Last Kingdom and the 2019 film Tolkien.
Alex Crockford
He is a senior counsel at a London law firm who previously had a brief role in a 2004 film.
Jasper Talbot
He has been cast as James Potter for the upcoming television adaptation.
Hannah Chinn
She has been cast as Lily Potter for the upcoming television adaptation.
The details
Harry Gilby is known for his role in the BBC Two series The Last Kingdom and for playing a young J.R.R. Tolkien in the 2019 biographical film. The series is currently set to arrive on HBO Max during the 2026 holiday season.
Timeline
Alex Crockford appeared in the 2004 film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Harry Gilby appeared in the film Tolkien in 2019.
HBO announced the latest casting choices on October 27, 2026.
The new series is set to arrive on HBO Max on December 25, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This casting marks a significant departure from the original film production, where the character of Charlie Weasley was limited to a brief 1.5-second appearance in a family photograph. The shift indicates that the television adaptation plans to provide deeper narrative focus on the supporting cast.
Viewers can expect to stream the new series exclusively on HBO Max starting on Christmas Day 2026. This release strategy continues the trend of housing major franchise content behind subscription-based streaming platforms.
The takeaway
Casting choices like these provide the first concrete look at how the series will interpret beloved literary characters. Fans should prepare for the series premiere on December 25, 2026, as the platform begins its promotional rollout.
What happens next
The new Harry Potter series is scheduled for release on HBO Max on December 25, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming network projects, visit the Television section.
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