Harry Potter TV Series Odds: Will Main Three Actors Make Comebacks?

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint attended a press conference in August 2000 to be introduced as the lead actors in the Harry Potter film franchise, after landing the life-changing roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively.  

More than 24 years and eight movies later, the franchise - based on JK Rowling's best-selling book series - has been hugely successful and spawned several spin-offs, including the Fantastic Beasts series.   

HBO recently confirmed plans for a new Harry Potter TV series, and earlier this month a casting call opened to find three new actors to take on the roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron.  

The casting call noted it is "committed to inclusive, diverse casting", and read: "For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated." 

The new stars must be between the ages of nine and 11 in April 2025 and be residents of the UK or Ireland. 

While they are likely to be unknown actors, there has been lots of speculation on betting sites about which of the original Harry Potter movie stars, if any, might make cameos in the HBO series.  

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Radcliffe's Clean Break

Succession's Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod will write and direct the series respectively, and it is thought the new show will shoot in the UK during 2025 to 2026. 

However, one star who has already played down a possible role is Harry himself.  

Radcliffe previously told E! News: "I think they very wisely want a clean break, and I don’t know if it would work to have us do anything in it. I’m very happy to just watch along with everyone else." 

He also told ComicBook.com in July 2023: "I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way. But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I'm very excited to have that torch passed. But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it." 

While Radcliffe has downplayed his potential involvement, it would be a nice touch if he were to make some sort of cameo.  

However, some fans think he should stay away, for fear of tarnishing the original movies if the show were to be a complete flop.  

It is possible to have Harry Potter without Radcliffe, as has been done with the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which occurs 19 years after Rowling's novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  

Despite his comments, Radcliffe would be unlikely to confirm a role in the new series in an interview, so there is surely still a chance.  

But if he were to appear then surely Watson and Grint would follow suit in an all-or-nothing type way.  

The trio are 6/1 on specials betting sites to appear in the HBO series, but several other Harry Potter stars appear far more likely.  

Harry Potter's HBO Connections 

There are several Harry Potter movie actors who have strong connections to HBO, which has sparked speculation that they could be involved in the new series.  

Rhys Ifans is a favourite of HBO thanks to his House of the Dragon role as complex character Otto Hightower - Hand of King Viserys I, who was played by Paddy Considine - in the TV network's Game of Thrones spin-off. 

While he didn't have a massive role in Harry Potter, portraying Luna Lovegood's (Evanna Lynch) father, Xenophilius Lovegood, he is 11/8 on betting apps to make a return in the TV series.  

What's more, several Game of Thrones stars could be in with a chance of a cameo if HBO revisit some of the actors who helped to make the show so successful.  

Harry Potter Stars To Make Cameos in HBO TV Series Odds

Jim Broadbent, who is 13/8 to appear in the new Harry Potter series, portrayed Professor Horace Slughorn in two of the big-screen adaptations, and he starred as Archmaester Ebrose in Game of Thrones.  

What's more, Michelle Fairley was a big part of Thrones as Catelyn Stark, the mother of Sansa, Robb, Arya, Bran and Rickon Stark, and she also played the mum of a huge character in Harry Potter.  

Fairley portrayed Hermione's mother Mrs Granger in the penultimate movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, and she is 3/1 for a cameo comeback, while her fellow Game of Thrones stars David Bradley (2/1) and Ciaran Hinds (4/1) could also be in the conversation.  

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Lewis Would 'Consider' Potter Return  

Matthew Lewis was one of the heroes of the eight movies in his role as Neville Longbottom.  

While the actor has already admitted he isn't actively looking for a part in the new HBO TV series, Lewis has confessed he would "consider it".  

Speaking in June, he told PEOPLE: "It's not something I'm looking at or want to do but would not turn my nose up at. 

"I'd be very interested to see if it was Neville as an adult - a whole different vibe. That could be interesting. I would certainly look at that and consider it." 

He is 5/2 on new betting sites to take part, while his big-screen Potter co-stars Bonnie Wright and Tom Felton might also be in consideration.  

Wright portrayed Ginny Weasley in the movie series, but she could return as her character's mother Mrs Weasley for the HBO spin-off.  

What's more, it wouldn't be beyond the realms of Potter possibilities for Felton - who played Hogwarts bully Draco Malfoy - to be become his on-screen father, Lucius Malfoy, in the new series.  

The pair are 5/1 to make that a reality, while Bonnie's on-screen brothers James and Oliver Phelps - who played Weasley twins Fred and George - are 7/1 for a cameo.  

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.