Audible has announced a full cast of over 200 actors, including major Hollywood stars, for its new narrated audiobooks of J.K. Rowling's seven Harry Potter novels. The first installment, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, launches on November 4, with subsequent books releasing monthly through May 12. The production features voice actors aging with the characters and shares one key performer with the upcoming HBO series.
The Audible adaptation brings the Wizarding World to audio with a diverse ensemble, allowing performers to focus on vocal interpretation rather than visual likenesses from the original films. Unlike the films, the audiobooks split roles for Hogwarts students to reflect their growth: Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton voice young Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the first three books, while Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis take over for books four through seven. Notably, Arabella Stanton also portrays Hermione in HBO's forthcoming live-action series, offering listeners an early glimpse of her performance.
Key Cast Highlights
Big names anchor major roles, including Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Severus Snape, Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart, Keira Knightley as Dolores Umbridge, and James McAvoy as Mad-Eye Moody. Other standouts include Mark Addy as Rubeus Hagrid, Michelle Gomez as Minerva McGonagall, Simon Pegg as Arthur Weasley, and Ruth Wilson as Bellatrix Lestrange. Cush Jumbo serves as the narrator, providing a consistent voice across all volumes, succeeding Stephen Fry and Jim Dale from earlier audiobook editions.
Production Details
Each book will feature immersive narration and performances tailored to the story's progression. The series coincides with HBO's Harry Potter TV adaptation but stands alone, emphasizing audio storytelling. This project revives the franchise in a fresh format, drawing on actors' theater, film, and TV backgrounds for authentic portrayals.