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Deadpool Star Cast as Voldemort: HP Reboot Shocks Internet
Harry Potter Gets a Brand New Audio Adventure with Famous Stars
What’s the Big News?
Imagine listening to Harry Potter, but instead of one person reading all the voices, you get a full cast of actors—like a movie for your ears! That’s exactly what’s happening with a brand new audiobook series from Pottermore and Audible.
The headline news: Two huge stars have joined the magical lineup:
- Hugh Laurie (the grumpy but brilliant doctor from House, plus Blackadder) will play Albus Dumbledore
- Matthew Macfadyen (Tom Wambsgans from Succession, plus Deadpool & Wolverine) will play the villain Lord Voldemort
They’re part of 200 actors lending their voices to bring J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world to life in a totally new way.
Meet the Star-Studded Cast
Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore
- You know him from: House M.D., Blackadder, The Night Manager
- His reaction: "I’m honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore"
- He knows he’s in good company: He name-dropped previous Dumbledores—Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law—and legendary narrators Jim Dale and Stephen Fry
Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort
- You know him from: Succession (Tom Wambsgans), Deadpool & Wolverine (Paradox), Pride & Prejudice (Mr. Darcy)
- Fun fact: He recently played a Time Variance Authority agent trying to recruit Deadpool—now he’s the Dark Lord himself!
It’s Not Just the Big Names—200 Actors Total!
This isn’t a two-person show. The production has assembled a massive ensemble of 200 voice actors to play every witch, wizard, goblin, and house-elf you can imagine.
IMPORTANT POINT
This is a "full-cast" audiobook. That means:
- Different actors voice different characters (like a radio play)
- Sound effects and music create an immersive world
- It’s NOT one narrator doing all the voices
- Think: movie for your ears
The Golden Trio—Times Two!
Since the characters grow up across seven books, two different sets of young actors will play Harry, Ron, and Hermione:
Books 1–3 (The Younger Years)
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Harry Potter | Frankie Treadaway |
| Ron Weasley | Max Lester |
| Hermione Granger | Arabella Stanton |
Books 4–7 (The Older Years)
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Harry Potter | Jaxon Knopf |
| Ron Weasley | Rhys Mulligan |
| Hermione Granger | Nina Barker-Francis |
How Is This Different from Previous Audiobooks?
You might be thinking: "Didn’t Harry Potter already have audiobooks?" Yes! But here’s the difference:
| Previous Versions | New Version |
|---|---|
| Single narrator (one person does ALL voices) | Full cast (200+ actors, each character has their own voice) |
| Jim Dale (US) & Stephen Fry (UK) narrated all 7 books solo | Ensemble production by Pottermore & Audible |
| Amazing performances, but limited by one voice | Immersive, cinematic audio experience |
Think of it like this: Old version = a master storyteller at a campfire. New version = a full theater production in your headphones.
What About the Upcoming HBO TV Series?
Good question! There’s also a new HBO Harry Potter TV series in the works. Here’s the scoop:
- Different project entirely from the audiobooks
- Lord Voldemort hasn’t been cast yet for the TV show
- Ralph Fiennes (movie Voldemort) is the most recent on-screen portrayal
- The audiobook cast (Laurie, Macfadyen, etc.) are audio-only—they won’t necessarily be in the TV show
Hugh Laurie’s Beautiful Quote (In Plain English)
When Hugh Laurie got the part, he said something lovely. Here’s the translation:
"I’m honored to play Dumbledore and thrilled to take him for a spin in this beautiful new version by Pottermore and Audible. I know I’m following legends—Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law, Jim Dale, and my colleague Stephen Fry. And just wait—John Lithgow is coming up next! What amazing company to be in."
Translation: "I’m excited and humbled. The actors before me were incredible. And the next guy (John Lithgow) is going to be amazing too. I feel lucky to be part of this legacy."
(Note: John Lithgow has been rumored/cast for a future Dumbledore portrayal—possibly in the HBO series.)
Summary
New Harry Potter audiobooks coming from Pottermore & Audible
Full-cast production = 200 actors, not one narrator
Hugh Laurie = Dumbledore | Matthew Macfadyen = Voldemort
Two sets of kids play Harry, Ron, Hermione (younger/older)
Different from the Jim Dale/Stephen Fry solo narrations
Separate from the upcoming HBO TV series
FAQ
When can I listen to these new audiobooks?
The article doesn’t give a specific release date. Keep an eye on Audible and Pottermore (now Wizarding World Digital) for announcements!
Do I need to buy them separately if I already own the Stephen Fry/Jim Dale versions?
Yes—these are completely new recordings with a full cast, not the same files. They’re a different product.
Will Hugh Laurie and Matthew Macfadyen be in the new HBO TV show?
Probably not. They were cast specifically for this audiobook series. The HBO show is a separate production with its own casting (still underway for Voldemort!).
What’s a "full-cast audiobook" exactly?
Instead of one narrator reading everything—including character dialogue—a full-cast audiobook assigns a different actor to each character. Add sound effects and music, and it feels like a movie without the screen.
Are the child actors famous?
Not yet! Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, Arabella Stanton, Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis are newcomers—this could be their big break.
Grab your headphones and get ready to return to Hogwarts—this time, with a whole cast in your ears!
