HBO fills three pivotal Chamber of Secrets roles as its Harry Potter series moves into Season 2 production.
HBO announced on September 4, 2026, that it has cast Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, Lenny Rush as Dobby, and Bonnie Hill as a recast Ginny Weasley for Season 2 of its live-action Harry Potter series, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, according to reports from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly.
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Three Key Roles Confirmed for Chamber of Secrets
Barratt, previously seen in Apple TV+'s Invasion and the film Bring Her Back, becomes the first actor officially cast as any version of Voldemort in the HBO adaptation, portraying the teenage Tom Riddle who appears through the enchanted diary at the center of the Chamber of Secrets plot, per The Hollywood Reporter and IGN. Barratt, who won the International Emmy for best actor at age 13 for Responsible Child, is reported by IGN to be 18 years old, closer to Riddle's book age of 16 than Christian Coulson was in the 2002 film. Rush, known for Doctor Who and Enola Holmes 2, will play Dobby, the house-elf whose warnings to Harry signal danger at Hogwarts, a role voiced by Toby Jones in the original films, according to Entertainment Weekly and Mugglenet.
Ginny Weasley Recast After Cochrane's Exit
Hill, whose credits include The Six Triple Eight, will take over as Ginny Weasley starting in Season 2, replacing Gracie Cochrane, Variety reported. Cochrane, previously confirmed as Ginny for Season 1's Philosopher's Stone in earlier Times of India coverage, exited future seasons "due to unforeseen circumstances," according to statements cited by Variety and The Wrap. Cochrane's Season 1 performance will remain intact, per The Hollywood Reporter and Elle.
Season 1, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is set for a Christmas release on HBO/Max, with returning leads Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry, Hermione and Ron, according to Elle. The casting news also ends prior fan speculation, noted by outlets including CBR and Disney Dining, that Adolescence actor Owen Cooper might play Tom Riddle. HBO has not yet announced casting for an adult Voldemort or other Chamber of Secrets characters such as Gilderoy Lockhart.
