HBO Harry Potter Fancasting!

This is a fancast, or dreamcasting, if you will, that would shake up the Harry Potter cast, and keep the TV series reboot in great hands.

I hear the cast will be all British, and so my pitiful American taste will definitely not take in the full breadth of actors at the casting director’s disposal. But anyway, these choices would make me excited to see the new HBO TV series that is rebooting the entire Harry Potter series, from book one to seven.

Vernon Dursley- Jared Harris

He’s funny, and plays a great villain, both of which they’ll need for this abusive uncle.

Petunia Dursley- Caroline O’Neal

I know her from Endeavour, a PBS Masterpiece detective show. She’s brilliant, and can have a real vicious streak in her that would be perfect for petunia.

Hagrid- Andy Serkis

Mr. Serkis can play anyone, and I would love to see him provide a lot of warmth and care and Hagrid, while also pivoting into a loose cannon whenever his pet hippogriff or blast-ended skrewt isn’t treated right. Put that man in a big coat, and stilts, and bam, he’s a giant, lovable, and at times lethal groundskeeper.

Ollivander- Jeremy Irons

I hate to confine Jeremy Irons to a small role, I mean, wouldn’t he be a great dumbledore? But I figured Ollivander would be a nice, mysterious and odd person to make that one scene in Sorcerer’s stone really shine. I mean, again, I wouldn’t say no to Irons as Dumbledore, but I just don’t want to get my hopes up. That would be so perfect, but I was thinking of someone else.

Severus Snape- Paul Bettany

So, I would love to have Paul Bettany as any frequent flyer in the Harry Potter world. Snape would give him the opportunity to be greasy and vicious, and I would be there for it. Take his range from Knight’s Tale to the MCU, Bettany would put a new spin on Snape we could all enjoy.

Lucius Malfoy- Daniel Craig

This one came to me first, and it would be amazing, guys. Daniel Craig would knock it out of the park! He’s so likable, and yet, as Lucius, I know he would make us all despise him. Just imagine his rage being fooled by HP at the end of Chamber of Secrets. Guys, Daniel Craig has got this!

Professor Quirrell- Cilian Murphy

Some fancasts have put him as Voldemort. I can see it, but also I can’t. Perhaps just because his scarecrow in the Batman trilogy felt a little too buttoned up, and didn’t command the presence I want from HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED. I wanted more psychosis from him, and in the end he just felt like a nervous wanna-be gangster. Anyway, I feel his professor Quirrell would have a nice wacky quality, with the refinement of an actor very comfortable with his craft. If he gets chosen for Voldemort though, may he prove me wrong!

Minerva Mcgonigal- Eva Green

Okay, okay, this is a weird one. She’s young, yes, but there’s this thing called makeup and prosthetics. I loved Eva Green in Miss Peregrin’s home for peculiar children. She was great! In this, she would keep things mysterious, while having a severe, unpredictable quality that would be great for McGonigal. And let’s be honest, they have to swerve right, because you can’t have someone too similar to Maggie Smith. Only Maggie Smith can be Maggie Smith. Eva Green could make McGonigal her own is all I’m saying.

Voldemort- Matthew Goode

Okay. You’re not going to agree with me on this, but let me explain. 

The first thing I saw Matthew Goode in was Imitation Game. He had this ability to put up this ‘it’s my way or the highway’ wall with every look. I see him as very capable of filling up the room with a will to dominate and entitlement that suits Lord Voldemort. For some reason, when I look at him I believe that he is capable of any evil act. Maybe it’s his ability to project contempt and disgust like it’s in the air he breathes. I don’t trust him… except to play the dark lord like he was born to.

Albus Dumbledore- Ian McKellan

Listen, I decided to make this obvious choice here because, well, it would be perfect. He turned this role down once in the past, and this time, why not just say yes? Honestly, HBO should just knock on his door and say, “Listen, Ian, it has to be you for Dumbledore. Name your price, we’ll do anything.” I know he has some tricks up his sleeve to make this character a completely distinct and separate one from Gandalf, and yet, who else could be such a quirky and captivating mentor?

And the kids? Meh. I'll let somebody else fancast them. ;) Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Ginny, the Weasley twins, and Percy, and the many, many other kids will probably be played some breakout new actors ready to launch a crazy successful career. Should be fun to watch!

Who Could be the Next Doctor?

(Guest post by K.T.)

Doctor Who Series 13 has wrapped and aired (minus three specials coming in 2022). A whole article could be written to discuss lingering questions and concerns that are the result of the Flux and its aftermath, but we can leave that for another day. For those of you that have yet to see Season 13, don’t worry, there will be no spoilers here… Well, unless you weren’t aware that Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor is coming to an end (sorry!). Whittaker’s fate and the events to bring about the next Doctor have yet to be revealed, but that hasn’t stopped a lot of folks from wondering who is going to be the next Doctor. And, that’s what we are going to talk about here. There are plenty of articles  from writers  with more experience giving real, practical guesses as to the identity of the next Doctor. You won’t find that here so much. Instead, this list is going to be comprised of the “dream” picks, regardless of how likely they are to be. You never know though, anything could happen!

Series 14 of Doctor Who is set for 2023 and expected to be very exciting with the return of Russell T. Davies as the beloved showrunner (many believe to save a sinking ship, but things haven’t been that bad, have they?). Throw in a new Doctor to the mix and we have the opportunity to see great things come out of the show. So, who would be a great pick to be the next Doctor? Let’s see below. 

Hugh Bonneville 

I know what some of you are thinking. “The guy from Downton Abbey, really?” but hear me out. Hugh Bonneville is known for a commanding presence in his roles and that is something Doctor needs. The whole universe either fears or respects the Doctor.  Furthermore, while I didn’t mind him, there are many who weren’t fond of Peter Capaldi. Another gray haired actor wouldn’t hurt to show that age doesn’t make a good Doctor (I mean the Doctor is over 900 years old after all).  

John Boyega

John Boyega’s beloved role in the Star Wars sequels would bring a popular well known name into the role, which is likely to attract new viewers. That’s besides the great acting that he would be sure to bring. 

Bennedict Cumberbatch 

Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange. Cumbersbatch seems like the perfect fit to play the Doctor. He’s already played one doctor with time traveling abilities, why not another? This is a pick that anybody should love.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench’s acting career goes back more than half a century. She has held a number of award winning parts, and would add a great layer of personality to the Doctor’s history. At the age of 86, she might be too old to want to take on the role, but that doesn't mean she wouldn’t do great in it. 

Henry Cavill

Superman, The man from UNCLE, and even the Count of Monte Cristo; Henry Cavill has been in some large roles and big name movies. He is a fabulous actor that is  also beloved by a lot of fans. There are many folks that would enjoy seeing him in that role, I know I would. 

Tilda Swinton

The Ancient One or White Witch ring any bells? An actress known for playing some characters of mystery, the Doctor seems like a wonderful fit. As we continue to learn, there is so much about the Doctor that we just don’t know. 

Dev Patel

Known for his roles in Skins and Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel has played great roles in both the comedic and dramatic. Those are two traits that are very important for anyone who plays the Doctor. Dev Patel would definitely be enjoyable to watch. 

Emma Watson 

Emma Watson really needs no introduction. Between the Harry Potter Series, Beauty and the Beast and other films, she’s a household name. With that said, some might argue she is younger than most others that are cast into the role, but nonetheless, we all know she’d do great in it. 

Naomie Harris

Known for starring in 007 and Moonlight. Adding her to Doctor Who would bring an attractive actress into this action packed role that lots of fans would love. I certainly think she would be enjoyable to watch. 

So, what do you think? Which of these actors would you like to see as the new Doctor?