See Arabella Stanton's audition to play Hermione in HBO's Harry Potter show

Earlier this week, HBO revealed who will playing the main characters in its new Harry Potter TV show: Alastair Stout is Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton is Hermione Granger, and Dominic McLaughlin is Harry Potter himself. Harry, Ron and Hermione are at the center of J.K. Rowling's novel series about a young kid, Harry, who learns he has magic powers and is whisked off to be educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. HBO intends to adapt all seven of Rowling's original books in detail, so these kids will be in it for the long haul.

Of the three, Arabella Stanton has perhaps gotten the most scrutiny, with some fans not believing she looks enough like Hermione as described in Rowling's books. A clip from what appears to be her audition for the show is going around, and I think Stanton displays a kind of know-it-all precociousness that seems perfect for Hermione:

There's also a version comparing Stanton's take to a young Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the Harry Potter movies:

Stanton's biggest credit prior to getting cast in the new Harry Potter show was playing the title role in a West End production of Matilda the Musical. This shot of her with frizzy hair definitely recalls Hermione as Rowling described her in the novels:

There's also a clip of Stanton singing one of the show's big numbers, "When I Grow Up," showing she has some pint-sized pipes. If the Harry Potter producers want to add in a song-and-dance number, she'll be ready:

Dominic McLaughlin, our new Harry, has probably done the most acting work of this trio, having starred in a stage production of Shakespeare's Macbeth alongside Indira Varma and Ralph Fiennes, who played Harry Potter villain Voldemort in the movies. Clips of him have been hard to come by, though. Alastair Stout has the least acting experience, although he does appear for a split second at the end of this commercial for potatoes:

These three have a long and hopefully fruitful journey ahead of them. There's no release date for the new Harry Potter show as of yet, but filming starts this summer. It seems a safe bet we'll be watching the first episodes on HBO and HBO Max sometime in 2027, or late 2026 at the very earliest.

I'm sure we'll hear about more casting decisions between now and then. Several of the important adult roles have already been filled, some with big-name actors:

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