The Search for the Next Harry Potter Is Heating Up! Inside the ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ Casting Process for HBO’s New Series

Hold onto your wizard hats, Potterheads—the magic is officially returning, and the search for the next generation of icons has reached a fever pitch!

During a recent Max Showcase in London, showrunner Francesca Gardiner dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the fandom: a staggering , children have auditioned to play the legendary trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

The hunt for the “Chosen One” and his best friends is being described by industry insiders as the “biggest three acting gigs of the decade.” Given how Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint became global superstars overnight, it’s no wonder the excitement is “pinging off the charts” on social media and parent WhatsApp groups across the U.K.

Casting director Lucy Bevan, the woman tasked with finding the new faces of Hogwarts, has been wading through a literal mountain of tapes. The process has been so secretive that agents have jokingly nicknamed the project “He Who Must Not Be Named.”

So, where does the search stand now? Sources tell PEOPLE that the team has moved into the high-stakes phase of chemistry reads. After watching up to , tapes a day, the casting crew is now whittling down the “cream of British talent” to see which young actors have that undeniable spark when they stand side-by-side.

The initial open call sought children aged to from the U.K. and Ireland, with a firm commitment to “inclusive, diverse casting.” The call specified that agents should submit performers “without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

This focus on inclusivity has sparked massive conversation online. While J.K. Rowling has faced scrutiny over representation in the past, fans remember that the stage play The Cursed Child famously cast a Black actress as Hermione. Agents note that while diversity is a priority, the process is far from a “box-ticking exercise.” Instead, it’s about finding the absolute best fits for the roles.

The numbers are truly mind-boggling. To give you an idea of the scale, here is how the search for the new Harry compares to the original search:

For those who don’t make the final cut as the Big Three, there is still hope! Insiders suggest that many of the , tapes will be used to cast other iconic roles, like the mischievous Weasley twins, the brooding Draco Malfoy, or the brave Neville Longbottom.

But with great fame comes great responsibility—and modern-day concerns. In the age of TikTok and Instagram, child welfare is a top priority for HBO. “Parents need to look ahead and prepare for the potential of their child becoming well-known overnight,” one agent warned, noting that a child’s private life can disappear the moment they are cast in a franchise of this scale.

Production is slated to begin at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden this summer, with Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington already on board to craft the new Hogwarts robes.

As the “Sorting Hat” prepares to make its final decision, the world waits with bated breath. Who will be the ones to walk through those Great Hall doors next?

Would you like me to keep you updated on the latest casting rumors for the adult roles like Dumbledore and Snape?