Harry Potter fans are pointing out major issue after seeing who HBO has cast as the Dursleys in new series

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Harry Potter fans are pointing out major issue after seeing who HBO has cast as the Dursleys in new series

HBO announced new casting details for the upcoming Harry Potter series on Monday (June 9)

Fans of Harry Potter are pointing out what they believe is a major issue with the HBO series set to grace our screens in the near future.

While the iconic movies featuring Daniel Radcliffe as the lead have long gone, fans looking for more Wizarding World action have something else to look forward to.

Last month, HBO officially confirmed it has found its famous trio of Hogwarts students to play the lead parts in its new TV series.

Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will star as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout is set to become the new Ron Weasley.⁠

Fans praised HBO's selection for the main characters, considering all three of them are starting out in the world of film.

Emma Watson, Daniel Radliffe and Rupert Grint are not involved with the series (Warner Bros.)
Emma Watson, Daniel Radliffe and Rupert Grint are not involved with the series (Warner Bros.)

McLaughlin has featured in the Sky comedy, Grow, while Stanton starred as Matilda in Matilda: The Musical on the West End from 2023 to 2024.

As for Stout, it will be his first major role.

On Monday (June 9), HBO announced nine new additions to the cast, including who will play Molly Weasley, the Dursley parents, and Malfoy's family members.

And it's the casting decisions for the Dursleys that have left many fans up in arms, with some taking to social media sites such as Twitter to share their thoughts.

Petunia and Vernon Dursley are Harry’s aunt and uncle who take him in after his parents' death and, of course, force him to live in a cupboard under the stairs at Privet Drive.

Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths played the notorious characters in the original movies, but it'll be Bel Powley, 33, and Daniel Rigby, 42, on duty for the series.

Bel Powley will star as Petunia Dursley (Jed Cullen /Dave Benett/Getty Images for OLAPLEX)
Bel Powley will star as Petunia Dursley (Jed Cullen /Dave Benett/Getty Images for OLAPLEX)

Powley is best known for featuring in movies such as White Boy Rick, The Diary of a Teenage Girl and The King of Staten Island, while fans may recognize Rigby for his work in Renegade Nell and I, Jack Wright.

The news has seemingly not gone down well with a lot of fans, with some suggesting the acting pair are too young to take on the role of the Dursleys.

"Aren't they a bit 'young' for the roles?" one fan on Twitter asked.

A second added: "Elder Dursleys and they're 33??"

While a third quipped: "Definitely not what I was expecting, but interesting nonetheless."

Daniel Rigby has been cast as Vernon Dursley (Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Daniel Rigby has been cast as Vernon Dursley (Joe Maher/Getty Images)

UNILAD has reached out to HBO for comment.

HBO previously confirmed six top roles for the show, including who will be playing Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid and Minerva McGonagall.

It will be Nick Frost taking on the role of Rubeus Hagrid, while Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner John Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts.

Meanwhile, Golden Globe winner Janet McTeer will be taking on Dame Maggie Smith's former role as head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall.

Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Topics: Harry Potter, HBO, Film and TV