Forget Snape and Dumbledore 1 Adult Harry Potter Character HBO Can't Mess Up

HBO is beginning to roll out casting news for the upcoming Harry Potter TV remake, and this only increases my anxiety about one character in particular. So far, Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore have been cast, and the decisions here have invited significant controversy. These characters will be played by Paapa Essiedu and John Lithgow, respectively, neither of whom entirely meet the Harry Potter books’ descriptions in varying ways. While only time will tell if the TV remake will be able to justify choices through the finished product, none of this is particularly comforting in the way of future casting choices.

There are dozens of Harry Potter characters yet to be officially cast, including the Golden Trio—Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. While characters like Snape and Dumbledore are out of the way, other prominent adult characters will be key features of the Harry Potter remake’s first season and require meticulous casting. These actors and their characters are almost more important than the young stars since their more mature performances will be the series’ foundation. However, based on what we know, I have some concerns.

I’m Worried About How HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Will Cast Molly Weasley

Molly Represents A Great Deal In Harry Potter

An image of Arthur and Molly Weasley standing together in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Molly Weasley won’t serve as prominent a role in the first season of the Harry Potter remake as Snape and Dumbledore. However, this first batch of episodes is still when Harry meets the woman for the first time, so she is guaranteed to be featured. Of course, Molly’s role in Harry’s life grows throughout the series as she quickly establishes herself as the Boy Who Lived’s adoptive mother. It’s through her that Harry learns about a mother’s love, which happens to be a significant theme of the overarching Harry Potter series. Molly Weasley is, therefore, a deeply important character.

Like many of the adult actors of the Harry Potter movies, Julie Walters was perfect for her role. She perfectly fit the books’ description of Molly Weasley, both in her appearance in costume and her performance. I’ve been concerned that HBO’s remake would never be able to match the movies’ casting for Molly, or that, as a more minor character, less effort would go into selecting the right actor. Even more than this, I feared HBO would attempt to make Molly more trendy. The character is the very definition of a strict but loving ’90s mom, and I’m mortified that that might be changed.

A Trendier Approach To Mrs. Weasley Just Wouldn’t Work

Paapa from The Lazarus Project next to Alan Rickman as Snape, with Hogwarts in the background John Lithgow in The Crown and Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies Ginny Weasley and Molly Weasley at the train station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Paapa from The Lazarus Project next to Alan Rickman as Snape, with Hogwarts in the background John Lithgow in The Crown and Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies Ginny Weasley and Molly Weasley at the train station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Unfortunately, HBO’s established casting choices only add to my anxiety. The TV series has officially broken the movies’ old rule about English-only actors, and Lithgow being American could take away from the general flavor of Harry Potter. However, it’s really the decision to make Essiedu Severus Snape that has me uncertain. The actor is far closer to the canon character’s age than Alan Rickman had been, but his filmography comprises trendier and edgier titles. Combined with Essiedu’s traditionally good looks, it is reasonable to fear that HBO is taking a sexier approach to Snape’s character.

If HBO aims to bring a younger, sexier Severus Snape to the screen, what will it do to Molly Weasley?

If HBO aims to bring a younger, sexier Severus Snape to the screen, what will it do to Molly Weasley? Ron’s mom is meant to be older than the Marauders’ generation, so it can be hoped that the Harry Potter remake will keep this in mind when casting. However, everything about Molly’s character is the opposite of trendy. She is homemade comfort—the epitome of well-intentioned, imperfect motherhood. Molly Weasley is even problematic, at times. Any effort to “improve” any of this through the work of a fresher, younger, or trendier actor would ruin the character’s purpose.

Why Molly’s Book Characteristics Are So Important To Harry’s Story

Molly Can’t Be Underestimated

Molly Weasley looking sad in Harry Potter.

As previously stated, Molly Weasley is the very picture of the ’90s mom. Harry’s story plays out between 1991 and 1998, and he is an orphan throughout all of this. Molly was meant to represent what had been stolen from Harry—the sort of decade-appropriate mother Lily Potter might have become had she not been murdered at the young age of 21. This contrast is imperative to the overall tragedy of Harry’s life, but Molly’s character is a reparation, in a sense, since she provides him with love. Her character is home incarnate, and this is something HBO must handle carefully.

HBO’s Harry Potter remake is expected to premiere in 2027.

It can certainly be hoped that I am wrong about what HBO’s established casting for Harry Potter means. Lithgow may be American, but he has extensive experience playing Brits on screen. Essiedu’s filmography may not fit well with Harry Potter, and he may be too trendy and attractive, but anything is possible with some on-screen magic. Ultimately, I will accept whatever these actors bring to the Harry Potter remake—but my fingers are crossed that any further surprising casting decisions won’t hinder Molly Weasley’s nuanced contribution to Harry’s story.
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