HBO's 'Harry Potter' Season 2 Casts Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley

Key points

• Rafe Spall joins the cast as Arthur Weasley, the father of Ron Weasley and a Ministry of Magic employee.
• Molly Hewitt-Richards is cast as Moaning Myrtle, a ghost who haunts a Hogwarts bathroom and plays a key role in the 'Chamber of Secrets' plot.
• Jasper Ambrose will portray Colin Creevey, a first-year student and fan of Harry Potter.
• Season 2 filming is currently underway at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK.
• The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Francesca Gardiner, and Mark Mylod.

Background

HBO's live-action adaptation of the 'Harry Potter' franchise has been in active development, with Season 1 set to debut on December 25, 2026. Previous casting announcements for Season 2 included Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart, Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley (recasting the role after Gracie Cochrane's departure), Lenny Rush as Dobby, and Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Brontë Film and TV, with J.K. Rowling serving as an executive producer. Gary Oldman recently commented that the series could be more satisfying than the films due to its closer adherence to the source material.

How outlets are covering it

Variety, Deadline, and The Hollywood Reporter all reported the casting news on September 15, 2026, with consistent details regarding the actors and roles. Deadline noted that Rafe Spall follows in the footsteps of his father, Timothy Spall, who played Peter Pettigrew in the film franchise. The Hollywood Reporter emphasized that Season 2 is based on 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and highlighted the production's move to the fall. All three outlets confirmed the same core cast additions and production details, with no significant disagreements or differing emphases.

Why it matters

The casting of well-known actors like Rafe Spall and Kit Harington signals HBO's commitment to a high-profile adaptation of the 'Harry Potter' series. The addition of key characters from 'Chamber of Secrets' suggests a faithful adaptation of the source material, which may appeal to fans of the books. The series' December 2026 debut positions it as a major holiday release for HBO and HBO Max, potentially driving subscription growth and cultural relevance.

What to watch

Filming for Season 2 is currently underway at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The series is expected to continue adapting subsequent books in the 'Harry Potter' series. No further casting announcements or production updates have been reported as of October 13, 2026.