The most famous sorcerer’s apprentice in the world is preparing to make his big return to the screen, in an HBO series. Several thousand children hope to be chosen after the vast public casting to play Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Nine-year-old Elissa hopes to land the role of Hermione, her favorite heroine. “I grew up with her,” explains the little girl. “So being on a film set that looks like the movies would probably be the best thing that could ever happen in my life!” With her mother, she shoots videos to present herself to HBO. The American TV channel plans to film next year.
To launch these new blockbusters which will cost around 200 million francs per season, the studios are looking for young British and Irish people to play the trio of friends.
The children must be between nine and eleven years old in spring 2025, as they will grow up with the TV series, like the mega-stars of the previous films, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione ).
A parrot instead of an owl
The rules of this casting open to the general public at the beginning of September: recite a story or a poem in one video, and talk about yourself and your family in another. Elissa decided to show off her parrot.
“There are a lot of animals in Harry Potter,” explains Carlie Thomas, his mother. “So Elissa made a comment explaining how the parrots certainly don’t bring the mail like the owls in the series, but can do lots of little tricks!”
“We’ve never seen anything like this.”
Agent Warren Bacci represents child actors, several of whom have been in recent films. According to him, several hundred thousand files will be sent to the studios.
“We’ve never seen anything like this in the industry,” he observes. “This casting can change a child’s life, because it will be a long, incredible journey. Everyone knows Harry Potter. It’s the most empowering franchise!” exclaims the founder of the Top Talent Agency. Apprentice sorcerers have until the end of October to apply.
TV topic: Clément Bürge
Adaptation web: ami
