Archive March 8, 2025

A top Netflix actress is rumoured to be in discussions to replace the late Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.

Janet McTeer, an Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress, could be the new face of the beloved Hogwarts deputy headmistress, according to Deadline. The 63 year old actress is best known for her role in the 2000 comedy Tumbleweed and as attorney Helen Piece in the popular TV show Ozark. Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu is reportedly finalising his deal to play Severus Snape, originally portrayed by Alan Rickman.

The 34 year old actor has been involved in projects such as The Lazarus Project and Gangs Of London. HBO recently stated: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals”.

John Lithgow is currently the only confirmed cast member, announcing he will be playing Albus Dumbledore in the HBO series. The 79 year old actor expressed surprise at being chosen to fill the shoes of the magical headmaster, a role first played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.

“It’s a new chapter of my life. I’m afraid”, he confessed, “But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes”.

Dumbledore, the fictional headmaster of Hogwarts and a mentor to Harry Potter, is one of the most cherished characters among fans of Rowling’s original books and the film series. However, not all die-hard fans were thrilled with his casting, arguing that a British actor should have landed the role, not an American, as per the original films.

On X, fans expressed their disappointment: “I can’t understand why John Lithgow is the new Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter HBO series. Dumbledore is British, Lithgow is from the USA”. Another said: “Nothing against John Lithgow, but Dumbledore and the whole Harry Potter franchise is British”.

A third commented: “I love John Lithgow. Absolutely bananas they’re not hiring a British actor to play Dumbledore”. A fourth chimed in: “WarnerBros quite literally need to pull something out of their hat to save Harry Potter. John Lithgow as Dumbledore certainly feels like it’s going to put a lot of people off wanting to watch it. Whatever happened to keeping it all British”?

The new Harry Potter television series promises a deeper exploration of the wizarding world and could run for up to 10 years.

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Amanda Holden supported a Britain’s Got Talent act who was left in tears during their audition.

The latest episode of the ITV show saw guitarist Olly Pearson, 11, from Wrexham, take to the stage in Blackpool with a performance of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. The musician told the judges that he had learned to play the guitar from his grandad, who was stood at the side of the stage with BGT hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, and said that the dream was to “become the greatest guitarist in the world”. He ended up receiving the golden buzzer from Amanda, 54, who was particularly impressed – with her saying “a star is born” as part of her feedback.

Addressing the performance, she said: “Oh my God, Olly, I mean literally a star is born. I have never, ever seen anything like that in my life”. Following chants from the audience at the venue, she said: “I just think you deserve the golden buzzer”.

Olly was seen in tears after golden confetti fell onto the stage, before being joined by Amanda, who provided some comfort. She said: “Don’t cry it’s good”. She went on to add: “It’s a good thing. Well done, well done. So good”.

Alesha Dixon said in her feedback that she had thought he was “gonna go far” from early on in the audition. She added: “Congratulations on a well deserved golden buzzer”.

Guest judge KSI said: “You’re eleven and you’re already a star. I love it! It was crazy. You were like a completely different person, especially when you’re right here in front of us looking in our eyes and just playing your heart out. Fully deserved that golden buzzer.

Whilst Simon Cowell told Olly, who is now through to the semi-finals:” You already have your own distinct sound, which usually people take decades. You’re that good. I mean, seriously good. That was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Good for you. “

Following the audition airing tonight, fans took to X to share their thoughts on Olly’s performance. One viewer said:” Olly is definitely a guitar virtuoso! What a great Golden Buzzer selection, Amanda! “Another commented:” Absolutely well deserved of that Golden Buzzer. This kid’s some rock ‘ n ‘ roll genius! “

Sharing their thoughts, someone else said:” Never before have I got goosebumps from a rock guitarist! Wow! “Another viewer wrote on the platform:” Awesome kid, great to see the young ones keeping classic rock music alive and kicking. “And one fan said:” Best act of the series so far. Well done, Olly. “Whilst one person said:” He was amazing and deserved the golden buzzer. “

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