The magic is officially returning! HBO has confirmed the first wave of casting for its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, unveiling fresh faces who will take on the legendary roles of Hogwarts’ iconic staff.

New Cast Revealed for Hogwarts Roles

Here’s who has officially joined the cast:

• John Lithgow (The Crown, Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore
• Janet McTeer (The White Queen, Tumbleweeds) as Minerva McGonagall
• Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape
• Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Rubeus Hagrid
• Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell in a recurring role
• Paul Whitehouse joins as Argus Filch, also in a recurring role

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the casting, stating, “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard and can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”

HBO has promised a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling book series. Each season will explore one book in-depth, aiming to expand the magical universe while staying true to the original stories.

Filming is expected to begin this summer, and while the main trio—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—has yet to be cast, over 30,000 actors submitted auditions following HBO’s open casting call.

The series is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with direction and executive production by Mark Mylod. The production is a collaboration between Brontë Film and TV, Warner Bros. Television, and Heyday Films.

Executive producers also include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who produced all eight original Harry Potter films.

With such a powerhouse team and a carefully selected cast, HBO’s Harry Potter series is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated TV events in years. Stay tuned for more magical updates from the wizarding world!

Award-winning actress Viola Davis is taking on one of her most powerful roles yet—playing the President of the United States in the new action-packed thriller G20, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Directed by Patricia Riggen, G20 follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton, portrayed by Davis, as she navigates a terrifying terrorist attack during a G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa. With world leaders in danger and her family threatened, President Sutton must take charge in a fight for survival.

For Davis, the role is more than just another character — it’s a full-circle moment. The Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-winning star reflected on how seeing strong Black women on TV as a child — especially Teresa Graves in the 1974 crime series Get Christie Love!—inspired her belief in what was possible.

“When you see it, you can believe it. When you see it, you can see yourself in it,” Davis said, recalling how empowered she felt watching Graves command the screen. “That 6-year-old Viola has been serving me. My job is to make her squeal.”

The movie also features Anthony Anderson as First Gentleman Derek Sutton, Marsai Martin as their daughter Serena, and Christopher Farrar as their son Demetrius. Davis personally requested Anderson for the role, citing their longtime friendship and shared experiences in the entertainment industry.

The two actors even joked about their bond, admitting that some of their best memories come from snagging goodies at Hollywood gifting suites. “We like the free stuff,” Davis laughed.

With a compelling plot, a diverse and talented cast, and a trailblazing lead, G20 delivers high-stakes action and heartfelt representation. Davis’s portrayal of a commanding and compassionate Black female president is a groundbreaking moment in Hollywood — and one her younger self would be proud to see.

Fans of ’80s rock and Capital Region history are in for a treat this weekend as a new documentary about Albany-based band Blotto is set to premiere at Cohoes Music Hall on Saturday.

Titled “Hello! My Name Is Blotto — The Movie!” the film chronicles the journey of the quirky, genre-blending rock group that rose to national recognition in the early 1980s. The documentary is produced by Rob Lichter, also known as Bert Blotto, and features footage, interviews, and photographs spanning over five decades.

Blotto’s roots trace back to the 1970s in Saratoga Springs, where they performed as The Star Spangled Washboard Band at colleges and clubs. The group found national fame with their hit single “I Wanna Be A Lifeguard,” whose music video — created in collaboration with SUNY Albany students — was broadcast on MTV’s very first day, August 1, 1981.

The band followed up with other crowd-pleasers like “Metalhead” and “You Can’t Fire Me, I Quit,” becoming a beloved part of the upstate New York rock scene.

The film premiere event will begin with doors opening at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7 p.m. Attendees can also look forward to an intermission and a live Q&A session with those involved in the film’s production.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer curious about local music history, this documentary offers an entertaining and nostalgic glimpse into one of Albany’s most iconic bands.