Harry Gilby (Charlie Weasley), Jasper Talbot (James Potter) and Hannah Chinn (Lily Potter) will join the first season of the Harry Potter TV series, which begins airing in December. All three characters have minor roles in the first Harry Potter book, but potentially have expanded roles in the eight-episode adaptation of the novel.
Harry Gilby (Charlie Weasley)
Harry Gilby will play Charlie Weasley, the second eldest Weasley brother, who has graduated from Hogwarts and now works with dragons in Romania. Charlie’s only appearance in the film series was in the background of a photograph in Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), played by Alex Crockford.
In the first Harry Potter book, Charlie helps rescue Hagrid’s baby dragon, Norbert, a scene which was cut from the Philosopher’s Stone film. Interestingly, Charlie doesn’t actually appear in person during that scene — he communicates with the trio via a letter — so it’s likely his character’s role has been expanded. We’ve already seen photographs of a scene at the Burrow, another non-book addition, so it’s possible Charlie appears here instead. Charlie also has a more significant role in Goblet of Fire, where he helps Harry learn about the dragons in the Triwizard Tournament.
Gilby’s credits include the British TV drama The Last Kingdom and the 2019 film Tolkien, where he played a young version of the Lord of the Rings author.
Jasper Talbot (James Potter)
Jasper Talbot will play Harry’s father, James Potter. Harry’s parents appear briefly in the first Harry Potter story in the enchanted Mirror of Erised, but their roles have likely been expanded. Set photographs showed what appeared to be Voldemort walking through Godric’s Hollow on Halloween, the night he killed the Potters. It’s a scene that plays in full during the Deathly Hallows book, but will possibly receive some screen time in season one of the TV show.
James Potter appears throughout the rest of the Harry Potter books, as both an adult (in memories and visions) and in numerous school-aged flashbacks. Adrian Rawlins played an adult James Potter in the film series, while Robbie Jarvis played the teenage Potter during a flashback sequence in Order of the Phoenix (2007).
Talbot’s credits include the British drama Broadchurch.
Hannah Chinn (Lily Potter)
Hannah Chinn will play Lily Potter, Harry’s mother. Like James, she appears in the enchanted Mirror of Erised scene, but will potentially have an expanded role in the TV series adaptation. Lily appears in a number of the Harry Potter books, in both flashbacks and as an adult. Geraldine Somerville played Lily Potter in the film series, while Susie Shinner played a teenage Lily during a flashback sequence.
Chinn’s credits include the TV dramas Domina and Malpractice.
It’s worth noting that both actors are closer in age to book James and Lily, unlike their film counterparts who were significantly older. It’s not impossible these actors could also play their teenage counterparts in future seasons, though that seems unlikely.
The first season of the Harry Potter TV show, an eight-episode adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, begins airing on Christmas Day.
