Harry Potter fans are shocked after realising where they recognise the new cast from

Whether you love the concept or hate it, there's no doubt that the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series has got people talking.

Despite the fact that the first instalment won't even hit our screens until December 2026, the first teaser trailer has already prompted a wave of differing opinions, as have the big-name cast reveals.

Each of JK Rowling’s seven books in the series are set to be turned into their own series for TV, following the iconic magical trio as they make their way through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, dealing with unexpected challenges along the way.

Those involved in the decade-long project no doubt know they have tremendous boots to fill and are probably already feeling the pressure, just under nine months away from the Christmas launch.

Dominic McLaughlin, 12, is stepping into the role of the 'boy who lived,' aka the titular wizard Harry Potter, taking over from Daniel Radcliffe, while Arabella Stanton, 11, will follow in the footsteps of Emma Watson as Hermione, and Alastair Stout will take over from Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.

Take a look at the trailer here:

Elsewhere, John Lithgow is stepping into the role of Albus Dumbledore, previously portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, and Paapa Essiedu will become Severus Snape, following on from the late Alan Rickman.

Janet McTeer will portray Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost will take on the character of Rubeus Hagrid.

Lox Pratt, Amos Kitson, Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby, Paul Whitehouse, Luke Thallon, Katherine Parkinson, Alessia Leoni, and Anton Lesser have all also been announced, to name just a few of those involved.

And fans are just now realising where they recognise all of the new Harry Potter gang from, as they all have some pretty impressive work on their roster.

A personal favourite revelation of mine was that Lithgow, who plays Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, voiced none other than Lord Farquaad in the Shrek franchise. Yes, really.

He was also Arthur in Dexter and Winston Churchill in The Crown, and Dick Solomon in the hit 1990s NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.

People are just now realising that John Lithgow, who plays Dumbledore, also voiced Lord Farquaad in Shrek (HBO MAX)

Meanwhile, English actress Katherine Parkinson will play Ron's mother, Molly Weasley, after appearing in Channel 4's The IT Crowd comedy series as Jen Barber, which bagged her a BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2014.

And Essiedu, who's playing Snape, is best known for his work as GAAP in Black Mirror and his breakthrough role in 2020 with his role in the BBC's I May Destroy You.

"HE WAS GAAP?!?!?! I love him even more now," quipped one excited fan.

While another shocked fan quipped on social media: "I did not see Jen Barber," while a second joked: "Can’t wait for artists to animate scenes of Faquaad into Hogwarts."

"Jen Barber?? Really??? This is amazing!!!" added a fourth, while a fifth wrote: "I did not even recognise Bel Powley as Petunia!!"

A look at the new Harry Potter cast in action

Harry Potter (Dominic McLaughlin)

(HBO)

Professor McGonagall (Janet McTeer)

(HBO)

Dumbledore (John Lithgow)

(HBO)

Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt)

(HBO)

Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton)

(HBO)

Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout)

(HBO)

Professor Snape (Paapa Essiedu)

(HBO)

Hagrid (Nick Frost)

(HBO)

Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley)

(HBO)

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