🌟 Meet Arabella Stanton: HBO's New Hermione Granger
The wizarding world is abuzz with excitement as HBO unveils the fresh faces set to bring J.K. Rowling's beloved characters to life in its upcoming Harry Potter television series. Among them, Arabella Stanton, an 11-year-old British actress, has been cast as the iconic Hermione Granger. 📚✨
🎭 A Star on the Rise
Arabella's journey to the magical halls of Hogwarts began on the stages of London's West End. She captivated audiences with her portrayal of Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical from 2023 to 2024. Reflecting on her experience, Arabella shared:
"I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honored to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final)."
— Arabella Stanton via Instagram
Her talent didn't stop there. From July 2024 to February 2025, she took on the role of Control, the narrator, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express at Wembley Park Theatre.
🧙♀️ Embracing the Role of Hermione
In May 2025, after an extensive casting process that saw over 30,000 auditions from children aged 9 to 11 across the UK and Ireland, Arabella was officially announced as the new Hermione Granger.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod expressed their enthusiasm:
"After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen."
— Francesca Gardiner & Mark Mylod
Arabella joins Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, forming the new trio set to enchant audiences worldwide.
🌍 A Modern Take on a Beloved Character
Arabella's casting has been met with both excitement and, unfortunately, some controversy. While many fans are thrilled to see a fresh face bring depth and nuance to Hermione, others have expressed concerns over deviations from the original film portrayals. Despite this, the production team remains committed to delivering a faithful adaptation of the books, emphasizing character development and inclusivity.
🎬 What's Next?
Filming for the series is slated to begin in the summer of 2025 at the newly expanded Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. The show is expected to premiere in 2026 or 2027, with each season dedicated to one of the seven books, offering a comprehensive exploration of the wizarding world.
📝 Final Thoughts
Arabella Stanton's journey from the stages of London's West End to the magical corridors of Hogwarts is nothing short of inspiring. As she steps into the role of Hermione Granger, fans eagerly await to see how she brings her unique touch to the character.
💬 "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible... dreams really can come true!"
— Arabella Stanton via Instagram
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow Arabella's magical journey in the world of Harry Potter!
