HBO’s Harry Potter series casts Dobby, Tom Riddle and new Ginny Weasley
HBO has cast three key roles for season two of its Harry Potter reboot, filling out the story of Chamber of Secrets. Lenny Rush joins as Dobby, Billy Barratt as young Tom Riddle, and Bonnie Hill takes over as Ginny Weasley, the network confirmed this week.
TL;DR
- Lenny Rush, 17, will play the house-elf Dobby.
- Billy Barratt, 19, is the first actor cast as young Voldemort, Tom Riddle.
- Bonnie Hill replaces Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley after Cochrane exited the role.
- Season one premieres on HBO and HBO Max on December 25, 2026.
Three new faces join the Chamber of Secrets
According to Variety, the second season is currently in pre-production at Leavesden Studios, just outside London. It will adapt J.K. Rowling’s second novel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Rush is a British actor and presenter best known for Am I Being Unreasonable? and Doctor Who. Barratt became the youngest-ever International Emmy winner at 13, for the television film Responsible Child, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Hill, known for Girl Troop versus Aliens, steps into a role first played by Gracie Cochrane in season one. Cochrane and her family said in a joint statement that she was stepping away due to unforeseen circumstances, according to MEAWW.
Why this casting news matters now
Ginny becomes central to the plot in Chamber of Secrets, when she starts at Hogwarts and is drawn into Tom Riddle’s diary. Getting her recast right, alongside a live-action Dobby and the show’s first on-screen Riddle, sets the tone for how faithfully the series can handle its most character-driven book.
The trio join Kit Harington, already cast as Gilderoy Lockhart for season two.
UK release date and where to watch
Season one premieres in the UK on December 25, 2026, streaming on HBO Max. Source: AOL UK
| UK subscription | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| HBO Max with ads | £5.99 |
| HBO Max ad-free | £9.99 |
Source: AOL UK, HBO Max pricing.
UK viewers can also access HBO Max through select Sky Ultimate TV packages on Sky Glass and Sky Stream, according to AOL UK.
What’s next for the series
Season one, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, has eight episodes and stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron. HBO has not said when season two will air.
Related reading:
- Nicholas Hoult cast as a professor in HBO’s Harry Potter season 2
- HBO renews Harry Potter for season 2 before Christmas 2026 premiere
- HBO’s Harry Potter series is looking for its Colin Creevey
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed September 5, 2026.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
