Gary Oldman pitches his return as a new character in the upcomingHarry PotterHBO TV series. Adapting the books by J.K. Rowling, the firstHarry Pottermovie was released in 2001, with Oldman eventually making his franchise debut as Sirius Black inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004). Oldman’s Black would meet an untimely end inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007), a plot point that is sure to be recreated inHarry PotterHBO TV series, which is set to release on the streamer next year.
While attending the 76th Primetime Emmys,IndieWireasked Oldman about his potential return as Black in theHarry PotterTV show. While the actor doesn’t anticipate he will be reprising his role,he does reveal that he has an enduring affection for Black, and that he believes the character may have been underutilized:
“I love, Sirius. He wasn’t in it enough. He turned up and then he went through the veil.”
Oldman may not see a return as Black as a likely option, but he’s not against returning to the franchise in an entirely new role, suggesting he could take the character previously played by both the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, though it’s not clear just how serious he is. Read his comment below:
“I would bet my money that they will get a whole new cast of people. Maybe in a few years,I could do Dumbledore.”
Harris played Dumbledore in the first twoHarry Pottermovies before passing away in 2002. Gambon took over the role through until the end of the movie series, passing away in September 2023.
What Oldman’s Return Would Mean For The Harry Potter TV Show
Why The HBO Show Will Probably Feature An All-New Cast
TheHarry PotterTV show remains in development, and it appears that casting is the next major order of business. Anopen casting call to find the new Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, just went out in the UK, and other characters are sure to follow. There’s been no official confirmation yet whether any actors from the films will return as their characters, but as an entirely new adaptation for a new generation, it does seem likely Oldman’s assessment is correct and that the series will feature an entirely new slate of actors.
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Bringing original actors back even as new characters could be jarring for those who watched the films, another reason why it’s unlikely. That being said, it’s been nearly 15 years sinceHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and 17 years since Oldman’s death scene at theend ofHarry Potter and theOrder of the Phoenix. After having now aged 17 years, it’s possible Oldman could return as Dumbledore, sporting a beard and long hair, in a way that’s acceptable to viewers of the original films. Still, however, HBO seems likely to go in another direction.
Our Take On Oldman’s Potential Return In The Harry Potter TV Show
Oldman’s Black Was A Highlight Of The Movies
Sirius was arguably not given enough time to shine in theHarry Pottermovies, something that the TV show could be able to remedy. With each season expected to tackle the events of one book, the show will have far more than just two hours to devote to each narrative. While Sirius could well play a bigger role in the TV show,it will be a challenge for the new actor to fill Oldman’s shoes. This challenge, in fact, will likely affect all roles, as theHarry Pottercastwas one of the films' biggest strengths.
Oldman would undoubtedly make for an excellent Dumbledore, especially for younger viewers who aren’t familiar with his work in the films. For those who have watched theHarry Pottermovies, however, Oldman returning as a new character runs the risk of being distracting, and maybe it’s better off that the show starts fresh.
Harry Potter
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Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
