Jared Harris, the son of original Albus Dumbledore actor Richard Harris, questions why aHarry Pottertelevision series is being made.HBO’sHarry Potterserieswill span multiple seasons and adapt each of the seven installments in the original book series. Francesca Gardiner, who previously worked on HBO’sHis Dark MaterialsandSuccession, has been tapped as the showrunner for the highly-anticipated reboot, andGame of Thrones' Mark Mylod is directing several episodes.
The Independentasked Harris if he would be interested in playing his late father’s role of Dumbledore in the upcomingHarry Potterseries,to which Harris replied,“No, thank you.“Despite being unenthused about this possibility and about the series in general, Harris did admit that"a lot of storytelling"from the booksis missing from the film adaptations and could be incorporated into the HBO series. Check out his other comments below:
Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand.The films were fantastic – leave them alone.
What This Means For HBO’s Harry Potter Series
Casting Is Still In Progress
While Harris is an accomplished actor, whose impressive work includes Apple TV+’s science-fiction seriesFoundation, he makes it clear thathe has no interest in being HBO’s Dumbledore. With many of the originalHarry Pottercast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, not expressing interest in reprising their roles for the reboot, it is unsurprising that a relative of the original cast is also not interested. Harris' attitude toward the series is indicative of a larger problem that the show will face, though, which is skepticism of how it can live up to the films' positive legacy.
HBO’s Harry Potter Reboot Has 1 Perspective Problem The Books & Movies Never Did
HBO’s adaptation of the Harry Potter series has great potential, but it will face a challenge with perspective that the books and movies did not face.
As the son of one of the original stars, Harris' perspective is unique, and he is naturally protective of his father’s work, but his skepticism is grounded in some of the same concerns that have been common since the series was first announced. Withcasting for the new Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger still underway, the series is a long way off from season 1’s debut. Until then, neither Harris nor anyone else can fairly assess whether it is a justifiable reboot.
Our Take On Jared Harris' Comments
There’s Only One Way For The Series To Create A New Legacy
Harris' comments prove thattheHarry Potterseries' cast needs to be comprised of actors who were not in the films. He understands the movies' powerful legacy, and the only way that the series can create its own is by casting new actors. This needs to be the case not only forthe Hogwarts students, but for the adult characters as well. Even casting family members of the original cast is unnecessary. There are plenty of talented actors who can play the new iterations of Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, in theHarry Potterseries.
Source:The Independent
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
