Rafe Spall to play Arthur Weasley as HBO’s Harry Potter adds Moaning Myrtle and Colin Creevey
Rafe Spall to play Arthur Weasley in Season 2 of HBO’s Harry Potter (Getty Images)
HBO’s Harry Potter has cast three key Chamber of Secrets roles for season two: Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley, Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle and Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey, as confirmed in a new casting update.
Season two adapts Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and the series is set to debut on HBO and HBO Max on 25 December. The additions offer an early look at how the reboot plans to reinterpret some of the franchise’s most instantly recognisable supporting characters, from the Weasley family’s warm centre to two of Hogwarts’ most memorable student presences.
In the film franchise, Arthur Weasley was played by Mark Williams, while Shirley Henderson portrayed Moaning Myrtle. Colin Creevey was played by Hugh Mitchell in the 2002 film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The new franchise has been largely divisive due to author JK Rowling’s public comments on trans issues, which have prompted criticism from LGBTQ+ groups and some cast and creatives across the wider Potter ecosystem.
Backlash to Harry Potter cast
Bel Powley, who will play Aunt Petunia, recently spoke out to say she “strongly disagrees” with JK Rowling.
John Lithgow, who is playing Albus Dumbledore, has been asked a number of times about the backlash since his casting, with him saying in March that he was urged to walk away. “I do disagree with much of it,” he said on the Radio Hour podcast, “much of it I think has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has doubled down on it at her own cost.”
While Paapa Essiedu – who will play Professor Snape, something else which garnered uncalled for backlash as he is a Black man – has made it clear he stands by the trans community, despite his role.
He told The Sunday Times: “My points of view are mine and will continue to be so.”
