HBO Original Harry Potter Series Casts John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon, And Paul Whitehouse

 

Harry Potter Cast (from left to right): John Lithgow (Credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (Credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (Credit: Ruth Crafer), Nick Frost (Credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (Credit: Phil Sharp), Paul Whitehouse (Credit: Mike Marsland).

The HBO Original Harry Potter series has cast six-time Emmy®, two-time Tony Award®, Olivier winner, and BAFTA and Oscar® nominee John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore; Tony Award®, Golden Globe®, and Olivier winner, and Oscar® and Emmy® nominee, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall; Emmy®, Olivier, and BAFTA nominee Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape; and BIFA nominee Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. All will serve as series regulars.   Newly announced guest/recurring cast include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and five-time BAFTA winner Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.   “We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,” said Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer. “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”   The series will be a faithful adaptation of the belovedHarry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling and will feature an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years. Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences and will stream exclusively on Max where it’s available globally, including upcoming markets such as Turkey, the UK, Germany, and Italy, among others. The original, classic, and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch around the world.   The upcoming series is 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 J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

HBO Renews THE LAST OF US For A Third Season

 

HBO Renews THE LAST OF US For A Third Season

The Emmy®-winning HBO Original drama series THE LAST OF US has been renewed for a third season, ahead of its season two debut. The seven-episode second season of THE LAST OF US debuts SUNDAY, APRIL 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.   Season 2 logline: Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.   Season 2 cast: Season two returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Previously announced new cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars.   Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, quote: “It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of THE LAST OF US is. Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the entire executive producer team, cast and crew have delivered a masterful follow-up and we’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season.”   Craig Mazin, creator, executive producer, writer, and director, quote: “We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of. The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew. We look forward to continuing the story of THE LAST OF US with season three!”   Neil Druckmann, creator, executive producer, writer, and director, quote: “To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans' enthusiastic and overwhelming support. Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog, our cast, and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity. We're thrilled to bring you more of THE LAST OF US!”   THE LAST OF US season two has already captured acclaim from critics for its “gorgeous & harrowing” (Variety) and “brilliant & beautiful” (IndieWire) story, along with acting that has been hailed as “impeccable” (USA Today) and its “jaw-dropping action” (The Hollywood Reporter). Empire celebrates the new season as “television at its peak,” while Collider has already deemed it “one of 2025’s best seasons of TV.”   Season 2 credits: THE LAST OF US, based on the acclaimed video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation® consoles, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is also executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells; with writer/co-executive producer Halley Gross. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.

Locked - Buy or Rent on Digital April 22 Also Available on DVD August 26

Director: David Yarovesky 

Writer: Michael Arlen Ross

Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Anthony Hopkins

Synopsis: From producer Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell) comes a relentless horror-thriller where luxury becomes deadly. When Eddie (Bill Skarsgård) breaks into a luxury SUV, he steps into a deadly trap set by William (Anthony Hopkins), a self-proclaimed vigilante delivering his own brand of twisted justice. With no means of escape, Eddie must fight to survive in a ride where escape is an illusion, survival is a nightmare, and justice shifts into high gear.

Run Time: 95 minutes

Rating: R for strong violent content/bloody images, language throughout, and brief drug use

Genre: Horror-Thriller

Distributor: The Avenue, Paramount Pictures

Fans who purchase NOVOCAINE on Digital** or 4K Ultra HD will have access to over 35 minutes of action-packed bonus content.

Hailed as “non-stop fun” (Jonathan Sim, Coming Soon), “an absolute blast” (Perri Nemiroff, Collider), and “a genuine riot” (Jeff Ewing, Collider), NOVOCAINE is Certified Fresh^™ on Rotten Tomatoes^® and has earned a stellar 86% Popcornmeter score^*.  Jack Quaid “absolutely kills it” (Rachel LaBonte, ScreenRant) as an unlikely hero whose only superpower is that he can’t feel pain.

 

Fans who purchase NOVOCAINE on Digital^** or 4K Ultra HD will have access to over 35 minutes of action-packed bonus content.  Find out how this genre-busting concept went from page to screen, go behind the scenes of the eye-popping stunts, and see how special effects makeup dialed up the carnage.

 

Bonus content is detailed below:

 

• Prepare For Pain: Pre-Production—Filmmakers take us from concept to casting and the process of creating the world of NOVOCAINE.

 

• A World of Hurt: Production—Co-directors Robert Olsen and Dan Berk discuss the film's unique stunts, production design, cinematography, and special effects.

 

• Maximum Physical Damage: Makeup Effects—Blood, bones, and bodies…find out the secrets behind the guts and gore that made the action really pack a punch.

 

Synopsis

Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) was born with a rare genetic disorder, where he can't feel any pain. When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is taken hostage in a bank heist, he turns his inability to feel physical pain into an unexpected strength in the fight to get her back.

 

NOVOCAINE is rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, and language throughout.

 

PARAMOUNT PICTURES Presents In Association with INFRARED PICTURES and DOMAIN ENTERTAINMENT

A SAFEHOUSE PICTURES / CIRCLE MANAGEMENT + PRODUCTION Production

A Film by DAN BERK & ROBERT OLSEN “NOVOCAINE” JACK QUAID AMBER MIDTHUNDER RAY NICHOLSON

BETTY GABRIEL MATT WALSH and JACOB BATALON Casting by RONNA KRESS Music Supervisor ROB LOWRY

Music by LORNE BALFE & ANDREW KAWCZYNSKI Costume Designer DANIELLE KNOX Edited by CHRISTIAN WAGNER Production Designer KARA LINDSTROM

Director of Photography JACQUES JOUFFRET Executive Producers PAUL BARBEAU GLEN BASNER JOSH ADLER LARS JACOBSON

ALISON COHEN PETE CHIAPPETTA ISABELA SALAS PAUL NEINSTEIN

Produced by DREW SIMON TORY TUNNELL JOBY HAROLD SAM SPEISER MATT SCHWARTZ JULIAN ROSENBERG

Written by LARS JACOBSON Directed by DAN BERK & ROBERT OLSEN

 

*As of 3/26/25

**Availability of bonus content varies by digital retailer

 

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment invites fans to immerse themselves in a gripping exploration of varying apocalyptic/dystopian worlds

 

As the highly anticipated Season Two premiere of HBO’s Emmy®-winning original drama series The Last of Us approaches, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment invites fans to immerse themselves in a gripping exploration of varying apocalyptic/dystopian worlds with the "Destination Dystopia" promotion. The promotion runs now through May 12.   This curated collection features iconic dystopian television series and films that are captivating, thought provoking, and offer viewers a comprehensive journey through the genre's most compelling narratives. Titles are available on physical and digital.

The Handmaidles Tale: The Final Season Premieres On Tuesday, April 8, 2026 With Three Episodes.

Click on the icon above to view the trailer.

 SEASON SIX SYNOPSIS: In the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” June’s unyielding spirit and determination pull her back into the fight to take down Gilead. Luke and Moira join the resistance. Serena tries to reform Gilead while Commander Lawrence and Aunt Lydia reckon with what they have wrought, and Nick faces challenging tests of character. This final chapter of June’s journey highlights the importance of hope, courage, solidarity, and resilience in the pursuit of justice and freedom. 

SEASON SIX CAST: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Bradley Whitford, Max Minghella, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Samira Wiley, Madeline Brewer, Amanda Brugel, Sam Jaeger, Ever Carradine, and Josh Charles.

CREDITS: “The Handmaid’s Tale” is produced by MGM Television. Season six is executive produced by Bruce Miller (series creator), Warren Littlefield, Eric Tuchman (co-showrunner), Yahlin Chang (co-showrunner), Elisabeth Moss, Steve Stark, Sheila Hockin, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Kim Todd, Daniel Wilson and Fran Sears. The series is internationally distributed by Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Available on Blu-ray & DVD April 29

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick and Morty: The Anime

 

All 10 Episodes From The Out-of-this-World Series Will Be Available on Blu-ray & DVD April 29

#RickandMorty @rickandmorty

BURBANK, CA (March 4, 2025) Are you ready for a brand-new adventure across the multi-verse? Rick and Morty: The Anime will be available to own on Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment on April 29, 2025. The Rick and Morty universe is expanded with the all-new Japanese adult anime sci-fi television series from visionary director Takashi Sano. The 10-episode series follows Rick, Morty and the rest of the Smith family in a new intergalactic adventure. Pre-order your copy today.

ABOUT RICK AND MORTY: THE ANIME:

From the world of “Rick and Morty,” Rick relaxes in a pseudo-world between multiverses, Summer helps Space Beth fight the evil Galactic Federation, and Morty falls in love with a mysterious girl who happens to be an atemporal being.

The Japanese and English voice actors, respectively, for “Rick and Morty: The Anime” include:

Rick – Youhei Tadano / Joe Daniels 

Morty – Keisuke Chiba / Gabriel Regojo 

Summer – Akiha Matsui / Donna Bella Litton 

Jerry – Manabu Muraji / Joe Daniels

Beth – Takako Fuji / Patricia Duran

Rick and Morty: The Anime information:

 

Includes all 10 episodes from the epic anime television series.

PRODUCT                        

Blu-ray & DVD                                        

Original Language: Japanese

Audio: English and Japanese

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 207 minutes

Rated: TV-14