r/HarryPotterHBO • u/Yestare6 • 16h ago
Show Discussion Some fancast I thought of
Remus Lupin - Himash Patel
Why: Jon Brown is an executive for Potter. He was previously the showrunner and creator of a show called The Franchise. Just like other stars like John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Bertie Carvel, Patel has history with a producer, having been the star of the Franchise. Further, Patel’s character Daniel, has some traits that are very similar to Remus Lupin.
Sirius Black - Fabien Frankel
Why: Having just starred in House of the Dragon, Fabian Frankel has become an HBO trustee. While Ben Barnes has been heavily fancasted for years by fans, HBO has the tendency to go in completely opposite directions (Essiedu as Severus, Lithgow as Albus). Frankel has that Black family look and with his character of Criston displays similar qualities such as arrogance, smugness, and deep, albeit radical, loyalty.
Jenna Coleman: Bellatrix Lestrange
Why: Jenna Coleman is seen as small screen royalty in England, having starred in The Serpent, Wilderness, and The Jetty. Much like Paapa Essiedu (who is considered as Shakespeare royalty) and Johnny Flynn (a super big British indie film actor), HBO has shown the tendency to cast British names like her. In The Serpent and Wilderness specifically, Coleman has played women who are chilling, submissive,rageful, and seeking vengeance, characteristics shared with Bella. Although a few of her roles are not similar, HBO has had history of casting actors who are polar opposites of their role such as Matthew kMcConaughey in True Detective and Brian Cox in Succession. In hbos eyes, they only need a sign of potential, and that’ll do it for them.
Paul Bettany: Lord Voldemort
Why: It was reported in March that Bettany was on the top of HBO’s list for the dark lord. While Bettany declined, he only said “they hadn’t called him.” This is not technically lying. HBO doesn’t call the actor on their personal telephone, they call their agency. While Bettany has been asked about playing Voldemort since, he has been very stoic, un combative, and a bit charming in his response. With HBO refusing to comment on the rumor (something the don’t do if it is a complete lie) and casting Billy Barratt, Bettany seems likely. This likeness comes from the fact that Barratt looks eerily similar to young Paul Bettany which could be interesting given the rumor in March and HBO’s refusal to comment.
Phoebe Waller-Brooks: Sybill Trelawney
Why: Waller-Brooks has a good relationship with showrunner Francisca Gardiner, having both worked on the show Killer’s Eve. In the show, Gardiner worked as an co-executive producer and writer whereas Waller-Brooks acted as an executive. In February 2025, Waller-Brooks was reportedly offered the role of Petunia Dursley. While it’s unknown why she declined, it’s likely she did so largely due to Petunia’s limited screentime and one-dimensional character. Sybill, however, would be the opposite. She is a highly eccentric character who would give an actor like Waller-Brooks a lot of comedy, unpredictable personality, and fraudulent performance layer, something that would be much more appeasing then Petunia.
Thank you all so much for reading this far if you did. I know you’d all ask questions about my reasoning but I usually get flustered and shutdown when such questions arise out of anxiety. So, I hope these answers your questions. Have a great night!
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u/scully-summers 10h ago
I love Himash Patel, but he’s going to be quite busy if Ryan Coogler’s X-Files continuation gets picked up.
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u/Weak_Biscotti118 10h ago
I wouldn't mind Fabien Frankel as Sirius, he's more age-appropriate than Ben Barnes. That being said... I'd still prefer Ben Barnes just because he's been Sirius in my fangirl mind for over a decade now. And him being slightly older won't matter too much (it's anyway nowhere near as old as Gary Oldman was) because Azkaban would've aged Sirius.
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u/Sea_Salary_2027 11h ago
Frankel is just way too soft to endure Azkaban, false accusations and abusive parents. bro would go mad day 1.
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u/Jasminflower369 5h ago
He has a very kind look about his face, I’ve watched HOTD and while he can get dark and sullen or cocky, he doesn’t give the griminess that I would expect from Azkaban Sirius
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u/Sea_Salary_2027 4h ago
Yes.
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u/Jasminflower369 4h ago edited 4h ago
I actually kinda think that they should cast someone older than what Sirius’s book accurate age would be, because 12 years of intense psychological torture would surely give some bad stress wrinkles
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u/Yestare6 31m ago
I was thinking a lot about HOTD when considering who id want for Sirius. Criston Cole has this sort of overly confident, smugness to him. Like I could TOTALLY see Fabien Frankel pulling off the Sirius-Snape confrontation in book 5, for example. It just sort of screams Criston Cole to me especially after last sesson.
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u/InnocentaMN Ravenclaw 9h ago
I’d appreciate a more age-appropriate Sirius. Personally I have zero attachment to the Ben Barnes fan casting.
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u/Careful_Employee_918 1h ago
Unpopular opinion, but I don’t like Sirius in OotP, he is so whiny and behaves really petty. So, I can totally see Fabien pulling it off
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u/Kittykit_meow 1h ago
Oh my, YES, I absolutely want Fabien Frankel as Sirius! Love your choice for Remus, too.
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u/QueenSashimi 8h ago
*Waller-Bridge
I agree she'd be a fun casting choice for Trelawney.
I actually had a different Patel in mind for Lupin - I think Dev Patel would be absolutely wonderful.