HBO's ambitious Harry Potter television adaptation continues to build its ensemble, and the latest addition is a major get. Rafe Spall, known for his standout work in Trying, Under Salt Marsh, and Bait, will take on the role of Arthur Weasley in the series' second season. The news comes as the show also welcomes Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey and Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle, rounding out a Season 2 cast that promises to bring fresh energy to the Wizarding World.
Spall's casting is a significant win for the reboot, especially given his recent career momentum. His performance in the British thriller Under Salt Marsh was pivotal to that show's renewal, and he has several high-profile projects on the horizon. For fans of the franchise, Arthur Weasley is a beloved character—the warm, Muggle-obsessed patriarch of the Weasley family—and Spall's knack for playing kind, slightly bumbling but ultimately capable figures makes him a natural fit. He brings a level of streaming star power that could help anchor the series as it moves deeper into the source material.
Who Is Rafe Spall?
For those unfamiliar with Spall's work, he's a British actor who has been steadily building an impressive résumé. In the U.S., he's best known for his role in Apple TV+'s Trying, where he and Esther Smith play a couple navigating the challenges of adoption. He also appeared in the Prime Video dramedy Bait this year, and genre fans might recognize him from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, where he played Eli Mills. His upcoming projects include playing Sherlock Holmes in the Sky series The Death of Sherlock Holmes and starring as the U.K. Prime Minister in Steven Moffat's Number 10, both slated for 2027.
Spall's casting as Arthur Weasley is particularly intriguing because the character doesn't appear in Season 1. Harry first meets Arthur in the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Ron and the twins rescue Harry from the Dursleys and bring him to the Burrow. That means Spall's introduction will come in Season 2, which is already filming in the U.K. While an exact premiere date for Season 2 hasn't been announced, the series itself kicks off on Christmas Day on HBO and HBO Max.
A Busy Actor's Balancing Act
One potential concern is Spall's schedule. He's currently juggling multiple high-profile roles, and Harry Potter is a demanding production. Early on, Arthur Weasley's screen time is relatively limited, but as the story progresses, he becomes a more active participant in the fight against Voldemort. The show's production schedule is designed to film consecutively while the young cast ages appropriately, which means Spall will need to coordinate his other commitments around the Wizarding World. HBO executives have acknowledged that the series may not run for a full decade as originally hoped, with Casey Bloys recently telling Deadline that they're taking it "season by season."
There's also the question of Spall's age—he's 43, which is younger than the typical portrayal of a father of seven. But that's a minor quibble, and it gives the makeup and costume departments a chance to shine. More importantly, Spall has the acting chops to bring depth to Arthur, who is often the butt of jokes but proves to be a capable wizard and a loyal ally.
Of course, the series continues to face backlash from some fans due to J.K. Rowling's controversial views on transgender rights. Bloys has reiterated that Rowling is "absolutely" involved in the show's creation, but he claims her involvement hasn't hindered casting. "Not even a little bit," he said.
As Harry Potter Season 2 films, anticipation is building. With Spall joining the cast, the series is clearly aiming to attract top-tier talent. For more on the show's casting and other updates, check out our coverage of the Season 2 additions. And if you're looking for other magical reads, we've got three books that never lose momentum.
