The highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series on HBO is steadily taking shape, with more casting news continuing to excite fans. Bertie Carvel, known for his portrayal of Tony Blair in *The Crown*, is joining the cast as Cornelius Fudge, the ever-controversial Minister of Magic. 
Alongside him, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have been cast as the infamous Dursleys – Petunia and Vernon, Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle.
Reports from Deadline and Variety confirm that these new additions are joining an already impressive ensemble that includes Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton have also been cast as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively.
Carvel’s role as Fudge is expected to be recurring, in line with the character’s frequent appearances in the original film series. Robert Hardy, who portrayed Fudge in the films, appeared in multiple installments, starting with *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*. As for the Dursleys, fans will be seeing Powley and Rigby take on these iconic roles, which were originally played by Fiona Shaw and the late Richard Griffiths in the movies. However, the casting for Dudley Dursley remains up in the air, as no announcement has been made yet.
While HBO has not yet confirmed Carvel’s casting, the trades have been accurate with their previous announcements, so it’s likely this news will hold true. The series, which is set to adapt one book per season, is aiming for a 2026 debut, with a seven-season arc planned.