HBO Max has added three new actors to the cast of its upcoming Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone series.
In the second season, Billy Barratt will play a young Tom Riddle, who later becomes Lord Voldemort. Lenny Rush will act as the house-elf Dobby, and Bonnie Hill will take over the role of Ginny Weasley. Hill is replacing Gracie Cochrane, who played Ginny in Season 1 but will not return for the third season.
Barratt is close in age to the 16-year-old Tom Riddle from the books. Christian Coulson, who played the character in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was 23 when he was cast. Rush, who is 17, will play Dobby.
Dobby was created with CGI and voiced by Toby Jones in the original Harry Potter films.
Ginny has a huge role in the series. As a new student at Hogwarts, she becomes connected to Tom Riddle after she begins writing in his magical diary. The new actors join Kit Harington, who was previously announced as Gilderoy Lockhart for Season 2.
Season 2 is expected to begin filming this fall. Season 1 of the Harry Potter series is set to premiere around Christmas and will stream on HBO Max.
Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout stars as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton stars as Hermione Granger. Other cast members include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
