Rising theatre star Luke Thallon has officially joined the cast of the highly anticipated HBO Harry Potter TV series, taking on the role of Professor Quirinus Quirrell, the nervous but complex Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher made iconic by Ian Hart in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The 29-year-old actor from Surrey is best known for his acclaimed work on the stage, most recently earning rave reviews for his performance as Hamlet in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2025 production. Though a familiar face in the theatre world, Thallon is relatively new to screen audiences—making this casting a breakout TV moment for the young actor.
Who is Luke Thallon?
Thallon made his professional debut in 2017 in Mike Bartlett’s Albion at the Almeida Theatre, while still completing his studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He went on to win the Clarence Derwent Award for his role in Leopoldstadt (2020), a Tom Stoppard play that also earned him a nomination for the Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award.
Alongside theatre, Thallon has lent his voice to radio adaptations, including A Room With A View and The Age of Anxiety.
In a recent interview with Deadline, Thallon expressed his desire to explore screen roles. “If you want to honour the part and the tradition of previous actors,” he said, referencing his role as Hamlet, “you feel a great pressure and obligation to spend as much time as you can.”
Quirrell Returns to Screens
In the HBO reboot, Thallon steps into the role of Quirinus Quirrell, Harry Potter’s first Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. The character famously hosted Lord Voldemort on the back of his head in the original story and met his demise after attempting to steal the Philosopher’s Stone.
Thallon joins a star-studded ensemble cast that has caused a major stir among Harry Potter fans online.
Full HBO Harry Potter Series Cast (Announced So Far)
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
The series is expected to debut in 2026 on Max and other Warner Bros Discovery streaming platforms. The new adaptation promises a faithful, season-by-season retelling of J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels.
Fans Divided
The casting has already generated heated discussions online, with some praising the fresh take, while others fear it may “ruin their childhoods.” Still, many are curious to see how the TV adaptation will approach the iconic series with new depth and a longer format.
Thallon’s casting as Quirrell adds prestige to the ensemble and reflects HBO’s apparent commitment to high-quality performances as it reinvents the magical world of Hogwarts for a new generation.
