HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter series has cast British comedian Peter Serafinowicz in the fan-favorite role of Peeves the Poltergeist, a character left out of the original films.
The streamer confirmed the news Monday to The Independent.
Peeves appeared in all seven books of J.K. Rowling’s popular wizarding series, making his debut in chapter seven of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He was known for being a cheeky ghost who roamed the halls of Hogwarts playing mischievous pranks on students.
The character was initially expected to appear in the movies, too, played by the late comedian Rik Mayall. However, the part was ultimately cut due to time constraints.
“I did a little bit of filming then I went home and got the money — significant — then a month later they said ‘Rik, sorry about this, you’re not in the film,’” Mayall, who died in 2014, aged 56, previously revealed in a 2011 interview.
“I hadn’t told my kids I wasn’t in it yet,” he recalled at the time. “And they came back and said, ‘It’s bloody good make-up. You didn’t look like yourself at all, dad, it’s really good’ — they thought I was playing Hagrid, which is Robbie Coltrane’s part.”
Serafinowicz, whose credits include Shaun of the Dead (2004), three episodes of Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and How to Train Your Dragon (2025), will join young newcomers Domnic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout — who star as the leading trio, Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley — in the forthcoming TV adaptation.
Already announced cast members include John Lithgow as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as head of Gryffindor House Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hogwarts gameskeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
Last month, Gracie Cochrane, the young actor set to play Ginny Weasley in the show’s first season, unexpectedly dropped out, forcing the series to recast the role for season two and beyond.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO Harry Potter series after season one,” the actor’s family said in a statement at the time. “Her time as part of the Harry Potter world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience. Gracie is very excited about the opportunities her future holds.”
HBO said in a statement: “We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show. We wish Gracie and her family the best.”
The series is expected to run for a decade, with each season based on one of Rowling’s seven books. It was officially renewed for a second season in May, with production slated to begin sometime this fall.
Season one, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone after the first book in the series, will premiere Christmas Day on HBO Max.
