“Harry Potter” TV show holds open casting call to find new Harry, Ron, and Hermione, bans franchise text in auditions

The "Harry Potter" TV series is searching for the beloved trio.

Children in the U.K. and Ireland are gearing up to send out some of their most magical owl posts yet.

HBO has launched an open casting call to fill the roles of Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger in the upcoming Harry Potter series adaptation. Calling on children between the ages of 9 and 11 who are residents of the U.K. or Ireland, the network requested two short self-tapes, including the reading of a poem or short story with a notable exclusion of text from the Harry Potter book franchise.

Related: Harry Potter HBO series enlists Game of Thrones, Succession alums as director and showrunner

"It can be from your favorite book, a poem that you love, a monologue from a play or something you’ve created yourself," reads the casting call. "Please, nothing from Harry Potter. Please use your own accent."

In a video from potential cast members, casting agents are also keen to hear about "any family member, friend or pet that you are particularly close to." The casting call also emphasized a commitment to "inclusive, diverse casting" without "regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated."

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The deadline for submissions is Oct. 31, 2024, with filming slated for between 2025-26 in the U.K.

HBO didn't immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment, but has confirmed the authenticity of the casting to Variety.

From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Francesca Gardiner (Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve), the upcoming series has been billed as a "faithful adaptation" of the book series by  J.K. Rowling, who has also been tapped to executive produce. The embattled author's involvement has been a source of controversy due to her transphobic comments in recent years.

Related: Daniel Radcliffe doesn't expect to return for Harry Potter TV series: 'I don't know if it would work'

The network, though, has declined to comment on the announcement. “That’s a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into," HBO CEO Casey Bloys said last year. "Our priority is what’s on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority."

The series is expected to run for seven seasons, adapting each book from the franchise, and targeted for a 2026 release. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will also executive produce and direct multiple episodes.

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) headlined the blockbuster film adaptations, which also starred the likes of Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, and Helena Bonham Carter.

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