At least one person cast in the new Harry Potter television show is already thinking about its future, and how he might not be part of it. Bertie Carvel will be playing Cornelius Fudge, the manipulative Minister of Magic played by Robert Hardy in the films. However, in a recent interview, Carvel said he might not return after the show's first season if fans don't like it. His comments might be alarming to Harry Potter fans who understand the importance of Fudge's role in some of the later novels, particularly book five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Actually, I'm surprised they cast Fudge already because the show is meant to be a more faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series, beginning with the first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Well, Fudge doesn't actually appear until the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, though he is mentioned before that. Carvel saying he might not stick around means he could exit the show before any of the interesting stuff involving Fudge starts happening.
I'm not sure what role Fudge will play in the show's first season, they must be expanding his role to make his early entry work.
During his chat with The Times, Carvel said he loved the single script he read and he has read the books. I'm guessing he wouldn't have signed onto the project if the part wasn't something substantial, especially because he says that, in the past, he wouldn't have wanted to play the same character year after year. "But I'm a bit older now. I've got a bit less wanderlust, I'm happier to stay still."
I'm sure it helps that Harry Potter will film at Leavesden studios, which is just 40 minutes away from Carvel's home and family.
“I don’t know how it’s going to fit into my life. I’ve read one script, which I loved, and I’ve read the books. I hadn’t before I got the role. I think I saw one of the films, maybe two. As a boy if I had read these books I would have devoured them. So I am coming at it with a really open mind. Whether I come back [after the first series] probably depends on what the fans think."
He says he'll be mad if it's not a great part, but I can't imagine Fudge will have much to do in the first season. I'm assuming he means the overall fan reception to the show itself rather than specific thoughts on his character. I'm sure they can always recast Fudge if Carvel chooses to depart. As for the controversy surrounding the series and Rowling herself, Carvel declined to comment.
His co-star John Lithgow previously made similar comments about carefully discerning the HBO show's quality. Lithgow, 79, will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and is very aware that this role will "define [him] for the last chapter of his life," especially if it proves successful and runs for several seasons.
Carvel boasts an impressive resumé; he's known for playing Tony Blair on Netflix's acclaimed series The Crown and starring in shows like Doctor Foster and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Next year, he will play Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen in the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas.
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