Warwick Davis Returns as Professor Flitwick in HBO's Harry Potter Series, First Actor to Reprise Role

Warwick Davis returns as Professor Flitwick in HBO's Harry Potter series, becoming the first actor to reprise a role from the original films. Davis expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing his emotional connection to the wizarding world. The series introduces new cast members, including Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas and Leigh Gill as Griphook. Filming started in July 2025 and is scheduled to premiere in early 2027, with each season covering one of J.K. Rowling's seven books.

HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series has cast a familiar face to play Hogwarts Professor Filius Flitwick. Warwick Davis, who played Flitwick in the original Harry Potter film series, will reprise the role for the TV series, which will debut on HBO and HBO Max in 2027. Davis is the only actor (so far) to play the same role on the TV reboot as in the original films. His return to the franchise was announced as part of the annual Back to Hogwarts event, which is held each Sept. 1 and celebrates the franchise.

In addition to Davis, HBO also announced castings for seven other roles in the upcoming series:

- Hogwarts students: Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, and William Nash as Gregory Goyle
- Hogwarts staff: Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns, and Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey
- Gringotts: Leigh Gill as Griphook

HBO has been active in casting the show over the summer, starting with the new actors playing Harry, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, with John Lithgow playing Dumbledore, Janet McTeer playing Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu playing Professor Severus Snape, and Nick Frost playing Hagrid, among other roles.

The new Harry Potter series is in production now and will take a more expansive approach to author J.K. Rowling’s original book series, delving into storylines that weren’t able to be included in the films. While the cast is new, the inclusion of Davis as the Hogwarts charms professor provides some connective tissue between the original film franchise and the upcoming series.

Davis also portrayed Griphook in the film franchise but is not returning for the role in the TV series. The actor has also appeared in the Star Wars and Leprechaun franchises as well as the title character in Willow.

The series is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

Filming for the retelling of the novels has started in Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Hertfordshire. HBO CEO Casey Bloys said the show will debut in 2027. There will also be some differences between the HBO series and the much-loved Harry Potter films. Characters will be the same age they are in the books, meaning Snape will only be 31, and the Dursleys will also be much younger than in the movies. It is not currently known if any original cast members will be making appearances throughout the series, but Daniel Radcliffe—who originated the role of Harry Potter—has expressed his excitement to watch as an audience member.

References:

[1] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/warwick-davis-returns-harry-potter-series-hbo-flitwick-1236358162/
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/09/01/harry-potter-tv-warwick-davis-professor-flitwick/85928638007/
[3] https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/hbo-harry-potter-cast-dominic-mclaughlin-paapa-essiedu-b2817911.html