Over two decades and 600 episodes, MuggleCast has been with you during some of the biggest moments in the Harry Potter fandom. Below, you’ll find a collection of can’t-miss episodes from our storied history.
Chapter-by-Chapter
See our Harry Potter Chapter by Chapter archive, in which we take a deep dive into each chapter.
Movie Commentaries
MuggleCast has recorded several audio commentaries that you can sync up with the movies, so you can hear us talking about them as you watch! We plan to eventually record an audio commentary for every Harry Potter movie in the years ahead, so stay tuned.
- Sorcerer’s Stone Movie Commentary
- Prisoner of Azkaban Movie Commentary
- Goblet of Fire Movie Commentary
- Order of the Phoenix Movie Commentary
- Half-Blood Prince Movie Commentary
- Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Movie Commentary
- Fantastic Beasts Movie Commentary
- The Crimes of Grindelwald Movie Commentary
- The Secrets of Dumbledore Movie Commentary
Special Interviews
Below is a collection of stars we’ve interviewed from the books and films over the years.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
Producer |
Director |
George Weasley |
Luna Lovegood |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
Size Matters Not |
Filius Flitwick |
Albus Severus |
James Sirius |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
Composer, Goblet of Fire |
U.S. Harry Potter Illustrator |
U.S. Audio Book Narrator |
Game Director, LEGO Harry Potter |
|||
 |
 |
 |
||||
The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting |
UK Illustrator Sorcerer’s Stone |
Young Sirius Black |
||||
Wall of Fame
Although we’re genuinely proud of every episode we produce, this page is for the episodes that are the best of the best. The ones we hang on our fridge. The ones we center on the mantel of our fireplace.
Episode 639 (December 19, 2023): We’re wrapping up 2023 at the Quidditch World Cup! Grab your best pair of running shoes and dont forget your wand (*cough* Harry *cough*), as we try to avoid Death Eaters, Veela and annoying Ministry officials, examining some of the darkest themes to date in the Harry Potter series!
Episode 637 (December 5, 2023): We’re journeying to the Quidditch World Cup under cover and meeting Ludo the Gamblin’ Man and Grouchy Crouchy! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and our friends Lexi and Nicole from Fantasy Fangirls for a camping trip you won’t soon forget!
Episode 634 (November 7, 2023): For the first time in our podcast’s history, we have a women-only panel assembled, and they’re discussing the representation of women in Harry Potter!
Episode 630 (October 10, 2023): It’s been 13 years, but the hosts are finally ready to revisit Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts! Join us as we sneak into The Riddle House to see prophecies fulfilled and Dark Lords taking (snake) milk shots. Plus, we share our favorite Dumbledore moments in honor of the late, great Michael Gambon!
Episode 619 (July 17, 2023): It’s exam time again! And good thing, as we are joined by Professor Julian Wamble, PhD. (@ProfW on TikTok), who teaches a college course on Harry Potter! The hosts dive in to Chapter 16 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, “Professor Trelawney’s Prediction” and examine Trelawney’s brand of divination and question whether she has ever been right to her knowledge.
Episode 617 (July 4, 2023): We’re hosting a Wizarding Wold BBQ! See who is invited and what they would bring to the party! Then, your Harry Potter friends attempt to be better friends to each other than Harry is to Hagrid, Lupin and Hermione!
Episode 610 (May 8, 2023): Grab your wand and get ready for the best magical classroom session to date …following the WORST magical classroom session to date! We compare and contrast Snape and Lupin’s teaching styles and the impact it has on the students of Hogwarts!
Episode 606 (April 8, 2023): Warner Bros and HBO are in final talks to develop a straight adaptation of the original 7-book series, this time for TV! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they discuss the news, read a ton of listener feedback, and provide their must-haves for any live action Potter TV adaptation.
Episode 603 (March 21, 2023): As we begin chapter-by-chapter for Prisoner of Azkaban, we get a visit from one of Harry’s favorite relatives, Aunt Marge! They share wine, brandy and have so much fun that she even let’s Harry perform magic on her at the end of the chapter!
Episode 600 (February 28, 2023): Our 600th installment welcomes back an old favorite as we review the highly-anticipated Hogwarts Legacy video game! The game has blown us away in a lot of ways, but it’s not without issues.
Episode 598 (February 14, 2023): Harry finally enters the Chamber of Secrets! But does he leave with more questions than he had coming in? And, knowing what the diary truly represents, the hosts dive deep into the world of Horcruxes!
Episode 596 (January 31, 2023): Another episode, another attack at Hogwarts! Join us as we enter the pages of a secret diary, get treated to a special Valentine’s Day by Professor Lockhart and witness an epic showdown in Hagrid’s Hut between Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius Fudge! All as the threads between Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince continue to grow stronger!
Episode 593 (January 10, 2023): As we begin 2023, and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chamber of Secrets, we examine the some of the book’s and series’ biggest themes!
Episode 576 (August 30, 2022): Surely magical objects don’t come from ‘nowhere,’ and there must be a magical cost for doing magic somehow? Those big questions and more are our target as Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah and Marc put on their thinking caps and dive in!
Episode 568 (June 22, 2022): On this episode of MuggleCast, the hosts take on the most indefensible characters, and figure out what about them gets under our skin. How can we defend the actions of someone like Gilderoy Lockhart or Rita Skeeter? Do we really believe that James Potter matured out of being a bully? And finally, is Umbridge a case of nature or nurture?
Episode 566 (June 14, 2022): A merger of Warner Bros and Discovery, Inc. has led us to speculate as to what the future of the Wizarding World may look like on film and TV. Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and special Slug Club guest Neil join in and speculate as to the future of Fantastic Beasts, and what – if any – television series set within the Wizarding World we might see from Discovery Time Warner. It’s a jam-packed episode with lots of laughs and really cool ideas!
Episode 555 (March 22, 2022): On this episode of MuggleCast, we return to an e-mail that we received that asks us what the 1998-1999 Hogwarts school year would have been like, when Hermione returned to complete her Hogwarts education and when Ginny and Luna were her classmates. The hosts think critically and speculate which accommodations might be made in wake of the destruction of the school and considering the mental health and well-being of students and staff!
Episode 551 (February 22, 2022): We’re talking about black characters and people of color in the core Harry Potter books, the movie adaptations, and the media that has come out since! Joining us as our honored guest is the amazing Adriana Redding, who led Hufflepuff Team to victory on Harry Potter: Tournament of Houses! Together she, Andrew, Eric and Laura discuss the reasons why black characters are so few and far between, and what their diversity hopes are for future releases set in the Wizarding World.
Episode 548 (February 1, 2022): After the Potter series proved to be successful, there was the Twilight Series. Next came The Hunger Games. And then came Divergent! Each series was marketed as “the NEXT Harry Potter.” But, they weren’t really as successful as Harry Potter at all! On this special episode of MuggleCast, the hosts dive deep into what makes the tale of a boy wizard so enduring, and how the other series just didn’t measure up in terms of financial success OR staying-power.
Episode 547 (January 25, 2022): In light of Snape and Lily both being born in January, this week we’re analyzing the rise and fall of the relationship between the two characters! What did Lily initially see in Snape? Should she have given him another chance? And just how creepy is Snape’s life-long commitment to Lily? Then, we unveil the Top 7 pickup lines Snape used on Lily… no wonder things didn’t work out!
Episode 536 (October 26, 2021): On this week’s episode, long time friend of the show Evanna Lynch joins us to discuss her new book, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting.
Episode 530 (September 14, 2021): The MuggleCasters tackle the fiercest Hogwarts house of them all with their main discussion centered on Gryffindor! The panel of current and former Gryffindors talk about the good and the bad traits of Gryffindor, like why being bold can be a bad thing, and how being “daring” can mean you like to get into trouble.
Episode 529 (September 7, 2021): Intelligence. Wisdom. Learning. Wit. Our four-part series on the Houses of Hogwarts continues with Ravenclaw House. Join us as we “look down” upon the Hogwarts grounds from high atop Ravenclaw Tower and discuss some of the House’s most notable members!
Episode 527 (August 24, 2021): The MuggleCasters turn their sights to that other maligned Hogwarts house: Hufflepuff! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss the qualities possessed by Hufflepuff students, examine why Hufflepuff does not get much glory in the books, and why everyone should want to know a Hufflepuff in real life.
Episode 526 (August 17, 2021): Our first in a series of Hogwarts House-themed discussions focuses on Slytherin House! What do we make of the first words revealed to us by the Sorting Hat about Salazar Slytherin? Does this introduction mislead us? Is there an argument to be made that Slytherin’s preference for pure-blood students could have been due to muggle persecution of wizardry? Plus we rate notable members of Slytherin House, including Merlin, Severus Snape, Regulus Black, Leta Lestrange, Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn and more!
Episode 523 (July 27, 2021): What if… Neville Longbottom had been The Chosen One? Had Voldemort marked Neville as his equal, would a similar situation have played out with Alice sacrificing herself to save her son? Both orphaned in their own way, we discuss the similarities of Harry and Neville’s upbringings. Was Neville always doomed to feeling “second best” even if he had a more supportive parental figure?
Episode 509 (April 13, 2021): Have you ever wanted to change something about the Harry Potter books and movies? Join us as we harp on Harry’s (over)use of Expelliarmus and try to answer just what in the world that final fight scene was between Harry and Voldemort!
Episode 508 (April 6, 2021): Can you tell the twins apart from one another in the books? It turns out, Fred and George really do have different personalities!
One of the twins often “goes too far,” while the other is more restrained. We have the evidence to support it all!
Episode 504 (March 9, 2021): To celebrate International Womens Day 2021, the hosts discuss achievements by women in the Harry Potter series!
Episode 502 (February 23, 2021): You know it, we know! HOGWARTS IS A SECURITY NIGHTMARE! Let’s discuss!
Episode 500 (February 8, 2021): You only get one 500th episode and this Valentine’s Day special doesn’t disappoint and the hosts deliver some hilarious Harry Potter pick-up lines!
Episode 499 (February 2, 2021): We discuss the trials and tribulations of being an adult fan of the Harry Potter series!
Episode 494 (December 15, 2020): This delightful episode explores the many gadgets and gizmos of the Wizarding World and asks, how do they work? Are they dangerous? Team Cool vs Team Not Cool show up and a fun time is had by all. Special guest: Dave Jorgensen, Washington Post’s TikTok Guy.
Episode 395 (November 20, 2018): Shortly following the release of Crimes of Grindelwald, we spend more than 2 hours discussing the second installment of the Fantastic Beasts series.
Episode 376 (July 16, 2018): Despite our show originally debuting immediately after the release of the Half-Blood Prince book in 2005, we never gave the sixth installment a proper Chapter-by-Chapter analysis. Being the completionists that we are, we begin again in Episode 376, this time with a brand-new format.
Episode 368 (May 14, 2018): It’s a special Mother’s Day episode! We discuss what working parents might do in the Wizarding World, whether it’s difficult to send the kids off to boarding school each year, we examine motherhood from the perspective of Lily, Narcissa and Petunia, and even vote on “Best Mom” in the series. This will warm your heart in the right parts.
Episode 354 (February 5, 2018): On this episode we discuss a recent interview with Fantastic Beasts film director David Yates where he describes Dumbledore’s gay representation in the films, and our discussion leads to questioning how inclusive the author and production team behind the series is. We had not yet seen Dumbledore portrayed by Jude Law, so the speculation was high.
Episode 332 (August 14, 2017): As we celebrate our 12-year anniversary, we reflect on how Harry Potter changed pop culture, normalized nerds and made reading cool.
Episode 326 (June 26, 2017): Who better to talk Newt with than one of his own family members? Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) joins the show to chat about Mr. Scamander.
Episode 322 (May 29, 2017): One of our top discussions of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, we analyze the characters of Graves and Grindelwald. How much do we really know about the age’s darkest wizard since he was under the guise of an auror for almost all of the first film?
Episode 306 (December 13, 2016): With the recent release of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, we can finally theorize again! Was Ariana Dumbledore an obscurus? We analyze the evidence! Will her death play into future films? Did Grindelwald’s interest in Ariana as an obscurus lead to his falling out with Albus?
Episode 305 (November 18, 2016): Our spoiler-filled review of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, as fans return to the wizarding world for the first time since 2011.
Episode 296 (July 3, 2016): It’s the day all American witches and wizards have been waiting for, as the story of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is released on Pottermore. The hosts get sorted into their respective houses and discuss all that’s been revealed on the American school.
Episode 290 (April 17, 2016): Hosts and listeners alike have trailer fever as we get one of our first glimpses at Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. The news of Newt’s expulsion sparks some interesting discussion. Plus, Andrew reports back from the grand opening of the Wizarding World theme park in Los Angeles!
Episode 275 (December 27, 2014): As we recap the year that was in Potter, we look ahead to 2015 with news that David Yates has been confirmed to direct Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. And while J.K. Rowling continues to embrace Twitter, we make a big announcement concerning the show!
Episode 270 (September 12, 2013): We return just weeks after announcing our final episode to news that author J.K. Rowling will screen-write a new series based on the Potter companion novel Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. We break down what we know about Newt Scamander and discuss what this now means for the future of MuggleCast.
Episode 269 (August 27, 2013): After eight years of podcasting, it’s our final episode “ever”! Former hosts return to share their memories and celebrate more than 260 episodes of talking Potter together! Little did we know we’d be back just a few weeks later!
Episode 244 (November 20th, 2011): For the first time ever, MuggleCast has a DVD commentary! Watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on DVD with us. We’ll comment on each and every scene – it’s as if we’re in your living room watching alongside you! Please note: This audio file is designed to ONLY work with United States versions of the DVD (not Blu-ray). We currently cannot offer an international version. Though international listeners are certainly welcome to try listening along, your DVD and our commentary will likely fall out of sync.
Episode 235 (July 29th, 2011): With the final Potter film released, Micah sits down for two exclusive interviews: one face-to-face with Deathly Hallows – Part 2 director David Yates (who directed the three previous Potter films) and actor Oliver Phelps (George Weasley)!
Episode 214 (November 20th, 2010): In perhaps our most controversial episode ever, we review Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 the day after its release. The hosts are clearly on opposites ends of the debate and the show receives so much feedback, we record another episode less than four days later.
Episode 200 (June 9, 2010): A landmark episode needs a landmark guest! Join us as Micah and Eric interview Harry Potter producer David Heyman!
Episode 186 (December 9th, 2009): The first trailer for Deathly Hallows is released, and MuggleCast is live to discuss what we see. We also give a review of the Half-Blood Prince DVD and have a lot of fun with our live audience! The phrase “MuggleCast” also begins to Trend on Twitter, marking the enthusiasm of the audience and the popularity of the show today.
Episode 175 (June 16th, 2009): As we venture into a new era of the Potter fandom, we kick off the summer with two fantastic new segments that listeners quickly fall in love with. This episode also has lots of news to discuss, a great panel, and much more to make it Wall of Fame worthy!
Episode 162 (November 5th, 2008): It was our third episode in 10 days, and this episode included lots of discussion on Beedle the Bard. Our main discussion, all about the politics of Harry Potter, is the reason why several listeners nominated this show. We go deep into Potter politics: Racism, Ethnic Cleansing, Nazism, Evil, Corruption, Biased Media, Education Reform, oh my!
Episode 142 (April 19th, 2008): The same week the JKR vs RDR trial took place, we recorded an episode that analyzed all of its parts while having fun with it. It was nominated by our listeners to be added to the Wall of Fame, and the co-hosts agreed whole-heartedly!
Episode 136 (March 13th, 2008): The night of the huge announcement that Deathly Hallows will be split into two, we hosted a live podcast discussing the split for over two hours. We took calls, brought back old hosts, and had lots of fun. Listeners have regarded it as our best live show ever.
Episode 117 (October 29th, 2007): Our initial thoughts on Dumbledore being gay. After this episode was released, most listeners said it was our best show yet – perfectly mixing entertainment with seriousness.
Episode 114 (September 24th, 2007): This episode was well-received for its Book 1/Book 7 parallels discussion. We have ended up referring to these Book 1/7 parallels on many occasions since then! This episode also opened up discussions about Book 2/6 and Book 3/5 parallels.
Episode 101 (July 22nd, 2007): After just finishing reading Deathly Hallows in London, we press record and host a show live via Ustream. It is our most-downloaded show ever.
Episode 100 (July 21st, 2007): Our final episode before Deathly Hallows on the eve of the release. This was by far our largest-attended live podcast, and to top it all off it was in England’s largest bookstore.
Episode 99 (July 15th, 2007): Live from Enlightening 2007 in Andrew’s stomping grounds – Philadelphia, PA. We discuss Order of the Phoenix and what we thought of it. We also take lots of questions from the audience, making it our longest live (on stage) show ever.
Episode 95 (June 17th, 2007): From Micah’s collection of personal favorites, this one includes a discussion on the Deathly Hallows deluxe edition cover which turns out to be some great analysis.
Episode 83 (April 1st, 2007): Our April’s Fool show for 2007 has little room for joking around as we discuss the recently released Deathly Hallows covers.
Episode 69 (December 22nd, 2006): The title of Book 7 is announced and we get right to figuring out what on earth it means.
Episode 59 (October 14th, 2006): Nominated by the fans as of their favorites, this episode focuses on time travel in the series. We also try to give Laura Mallory a call.
Episode 50 (August 9th, 2006): It’s a milestone of a number, and another one of our fan favorites. We take a look back at how MuggleCast has grown and discuss what occurred at JK Rowling’s charity book reading in NYC.
Episode 47 (July 9th, 2006): Our interview with Warwick Davis, who plays Professor Fliwick in the Potter films. We get the scoop on Goblet of Fire filming and learn about his perspective on films as an insider.
Episode 20 (December 18th, 2005): Our main discussion is on Hermione and this is another one of our fan favorites. Jamie also returns after a short break and we introduce the PO box and phone numbers for the MuggleCast hotline.
Episode 1 (August 7th, 2005): Whether this was our worst episode or the best, it is still the first. It’s the episode that defined our show and the other Harry Potter podcasts to follow. Ah, memories.