HBO’sHarry Potteris slowly starting to ramp up the excitement factor, with several casting decisions being revealed. John Lithgow is the only actor officially in theHarry Pottertelevision show, as Albus Dumbledore, but numerous other actors are rumored to join this spellbinding world.Nick Frost has been linked with Rubeus Hagrid, Janet McTeer is expected to be Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Eddiedu is HBO’s first choice for Severus Snape.
Considering the size of theHarry Potterfranchise, it’s no surprise that HBO is trying to cast the biggest names possible to grow the buzz around the television show. But the feeling of excitement exists in the opposite direction, too, as many actors are hoping to find themselves in the cast, no matter the role. That even includes people who have been involved in other huge franchises, such as a formerJames Bondstar.
Pierce Brosnan is best known for his time playing 007, but the veteran actor has been involved in various projects throughout his career. When speaking toThe Daily Telegraph, the former Bond admitted the upcoming Harry Potter series is something he’s interested in being part of. He said, “I’ve alwayshad my eyes on Dumbledoreas my hair has gotten greyer, and the maturity of life is now upon my visage and shoulders. It’s a joke with my family, the Dumbledore thing – that I’ll go into my Dumbledore years,” he said. “I don’t want to go there … particularly right now, but if I was asked (to play the part), I probably would say yes.”
Brosnan has an interesting link to the Hogwarts headteacher. Richard Harris, who played the role in the firsttwoHarry Pottermovies, was the biological uncle of Brosnan’s two adopted children by his first wife, Cassandra Harris. It’s a unique link that a lot of people don’t know about, and it would make it a special role for him to take on. However, that is the only character that has been officially cast and will not be available for Brosnan.
FormerDexterandThe Crownstar Lithgowwill play the powerful and experienced wizard. His casting was controversial because he is American, which is something the movies never did, as they opted to have an all-British cast for the most part. However, Lithgow is a talented actor who is capable of providing a British accent, and he should add a level of quality to the show from the start in what is an important role.
However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any parts that Brosnan could take on. There are various older wizards throughout the story that he would be perfect for, and seeing him involved in the show would certainly get a lot of attention due to his star power. HBO has proven it is more thanhappy to take riskswith howHarry Potteris going to be cast, and putting Brosnan it would fit the way things have been going while adding even more quality to the show.
