Peeves is finally coming to the screen. HBO’s Harry Potter series has cast Peter Serafinowicz as the Hogwarts poltergeist, the role famously cut from the films, and on this episode of MuggleCast, Andrew, Laura, and Micah were joined by Ivana, who you can find on Tumblr as thedragonweasley, to talk Peeves, the Ginny Weasley recast, the first new look at Ollivander, and which members of the Weasley family deserve more love this time around.
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Listen to the episode above, and read our full breakdown below.
The Latest Harry Potter TV Casting and Crew News
- Peeves: Peter Serafinowicz
- Ollivander: Anton Lesser, best known as Qyburn in Game of Thrones
- Ginny Weasley: Gracie Cochrane plays Ginny in Season 1, but the role will be recast for Season 2 onward
- Music: Hans Zimmer and his team are scoring the series
- Premiere: December 25, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max
Update: In September, HBO announced that Bonnie Hill will play Ginny starting in Season 2. Read our Season 2 casting breakdown for more.
Who Is Playing Peeves in the Harry Potter TV Show?
Peeves has been cast, and Andrew did his best with the name on air before landing on Peter Serafinowicz. For book fans, this is huge news. Peeves is all over the books, but he never made it into the movies.
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Micah shared the history: for the first film, British comedian Rik Mayall was cast as Peeves and reportedly spent several weeks filming, with the character created through a mix of performance and visual effects. Micah said it’s no surprise Peeves was cut for run time and pacing, and Andrew summed it up with the answer every Potter fan knows by now: “It’s pacing, it’s always pacing.”
Ivana is thrilled to see Peeves finally get his due, since “he plays such a role in the story.” Laura admitted she wondered if the show would cast the audiobook narrator, because “he’s so good as Peeves.”
Why Is Ginny Weasley Being Recast?
In more surprising news, the actress playing Ginny in Season 1 won’t return for Season 2. Andrew explained that the role is being recast “due to unforeseen circumstances,” and said the hosts hope everything is okay with her and her family. As he pointed out, nobody would have predicted that the first recast of the series would be a child between seasons.
Laura was sympathetic to what young actors face in a show this big: “Being forced into the public eye like that is a lot of pressure for a kid.”
Micah wondered if the show might now limit Ginny’s appearances in Philosopher’s Stone, and Laura thinks the series will stick to the book and only show her at King’s Cross at the beginning and end. Andrew agreed, suggesting the show may reduce her screen time “to not get people too used to seeing Gracie play Ginny.” He also noted that it’s lucky the change is happening now, and not later in the series, when it would be more jarring.
First Look at the New Ollivander
HBO released a tiny preview featuring Ollivander, only about five seconds long. Micah wanted a special episode. Andrew did not. The clip ends with a new line: “Mr. Potter, I think we can expect great things from you. Let’s see who you are.” Andrew liked that “Let’s see who you are” is something new compared to both the book and the movie.
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Ivana admitted the new Ollivander didn’t give her the same feeling right away. With John Hurt, “there was just warmth. It was just warmth and magic.” But she’s won over by the “curio type of energy” he’s giving, and she likes that the show is doing things differently instead of copying the films.
Micah pointed out that Ollivander is played by Anton Lesser, who played Qyburn on Game of Thrones, and he thinks this version of the character could be “a little bit more sinister.”
When Will the Next Harry Potter Trailer Come Out?
At the time of this episode, the internet was hoping for a new trailer on September 1, Back to Hogwarts Day. The panel threw out other dates too:
- July 31: Harry’s birthday, which Andrew called one of the “ripe opportunities” for a new trailer
- San Diego Comic Con: Laura shared a Discord suggestion, and Andrew floated a teaser at Comic Con followed by the full trailer on Harry’s birthday
- August 9: Micah pointed out the House of the Dragon finale airs that night, a perfect place to attach a trailer
Update: The second trailer arrived on September 2, the day after Back to Hogwarts Day. Read our full trailer breakdown.
Justice for Charlie Weasley (and the Rest of the Weasleys)
Charlie Weasley never made it into the films beyond a family photograph, but as Andrew noted, he shows up across the books, starting with Philosopher’s Stone, when Charlie agrees to take Norbert. Ivana was ready: “I have been training my entire reading career for this moment.” Her love of dragons goes back to the first novel her dad read to her, The Hobbit. Her rallying cry? “Justice for Charlie Weasley.”
The panel then went through the rest of the family:
- Ginny: Ivana said the films “did her dirty.” “In the book she has so much depth,” she said. “She had fire.”
- Fred and George: Andrew thinks there’s room for more of the twins as much needed comic relief. Laura added that Fred’s death will only hit harder with full character development, since the movies only gave us “the high notes.”
- Percy: Laura called Chris Rankin “a gem,” but said the films kept Percy surface level. Micah wants the Order of the Phoenix tension between Percy and Arthur, and Andrew thinks Percy is “the perfect vessel” to take viewers inside the Ministry.
- Arthur: Ivana called him “a national treasure,” and all she asks is to see him punch Lucius. “Don’t change him,” she said. Andrew described him as “a weirdo in a good way.”
- Molly: Laura wants the show to include Molly’s less flattering side, like how “catty” she was toward Hermione during Goblet of Fire after Rita Skeeter’s articles.
Our Predictions: Easter Eggs and Early Introductions
Since the series knows how the whole story ends, the panel predicted ways it could plant seeds for future seasons:
- Laura: Each season should include an Easter egg for the next Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. For Season 1, that means a nod to Gilderoy Lockhart, like a copy of Magical Me.
- Andrew: Even the spine of a Lockhart book would do it. He also hopes Luna gets introduced early, even if it’s only a passing mention from Ginny.
- Micah: Lockhart’s book could be sitting on Dumbledore’s desk as he reviews applications for next year. He also wants Cedric and Cho introduced earlier, to build out Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
- Ivana: Mrs. Figg should be introduced early. Andrew loved it, saying it would be amazing to look back in Season 5 and realize we saw her all along.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Peeves in the Harry Potter TV show?
Peter Serafinowicz plays Peeves the poltergeist in HBO’s Harry Potter series.
Was Peeves in the Harry Potter movies?
No. Rik Mayall filmed scenes as Peeves for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but they were cut from the final film.
Who plays Ollivander in the Harry Potter TV show?
Anton Lesser, known for playing Qyburn in Game of Thrones, plays Ollivander.
Who is composing the music for the Harry Potter TV show?
Hans Zimmer and his team are scoring the series.
Will MuggleCast cover the Harry Potter TV show?
Yes! Beginning Wednesday, December 2, MuggleCast is switching to full coverage of the HBO series. We’ll release an episode soon after each TV episode airs, followed by a second episode the same week with even more detailed coverage. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing: follow MuggleCast in your favorite podcast app or subscribe on YouTube.
For everything we know so far about the series, visit our Harry Potter HBO series guide.