Right now, the Harry Potter franchise is entering a new era. The beloved original movies are all over a decade old at this point, and they still remain a cultural behemoth. Yet still, an all-new live-action adaptation has already begun filming, coming to HBO in 2027. And that's not all: Audible will soon debut a full-cast audio drama of the books.
Of course, Harry Potter has been around in audiobook form for years and years. Look no further than the version narrated by Stephen Fry, which is probably the most famous audiobook version of the story. However, the new project being cooked up by Audible is far from a traditional audiobook; it's a full-blown, ensemble cast audio dramatization. It adapts all seven novels in immersive Dolby Atmos, with an original score and real-world sound effects.
In recent years, Audible has published numerous immersive, ensemble adaptations of popular books. For instance, one of the most celebrated is George Orwell's 1984, which starred Andrew Garfield as protagonist Winston Smith. There's also The Sandman, which seamlessly brought the comics to life.
Now, it's finally time for Harry Potter to get the same treatment. Per The Hollywood Reporter, a number of superstars are attached to the project, such as Hugh Laurie (House) as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed (The Night Of) as Professor Snape, and Michelle Gomez (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Professor McGonagall. In total, there are over 200 voice acting roles.
Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Stay Close) tackles the all-important role as the narrator. As for our free main characters, Frankie Treadaway plays the titular Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Max Lester as Ron Weasley. The main trio will be replaced with Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis once the story reaches The Goblet of Fire.
Interestingly, Stanton also plays Hermione in the upcoming HBO series.
“I’m honored to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible,” Laurie said of the news. “I’m also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and my colleague Sir Stephen Fry. Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow [in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series], his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it’s a privilege to be among their number.”
The Audible series kicks off on November 4 with Book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Will you be listening? Tell us in the comments down below!
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