The cast members of the Harry Potter films are frequently asked about their potential return to the series on HBO, but it seems there is already one familiar face in the mix. Recently, it was confirmed which actors will portray several key Hogwarts faculty members, including Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. This isn’t his first outing in the wizarding world, however.
After months of speculation regarding the casting of characters like Snape and McGonagall, concrete casting news has finally emerged. The series has enlisted prominent actors for several Hogwarts roles, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Luke Salon as Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Filch—which is the focus of this piece.
Paul Whitehouse’s return as Filch is exciting, especially since he takes over from the iconic David Bradley. Many fans are eager to see how he portrays the school’s unpleasant caretaker. Additionally, Whitehouse has a prior connection to the Harry Potter films; in 2004, he appeared in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ as Sir Cadogan, a character who existed among the many living portraits at Hogwarts.
In the film, the castle is invaded by Sirius Black, and the Fat Lady portraits (which guard the entrance to Gryffindor Common Room) are damaged. You can spot Whitehouse’s character scurrying around in the background of various portraits throughout the movie. He also has a more prominent presence in several deleted scenes, where he helps protect the door for fellow painted characters, while students grow increasingly frustrated with changing passwords.
Although Whitehouse was largely absent from the final cut of ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’, he is set to be prominently featured in the new series. Filch plays a crucial role in Hogwarts, always on the lookout for rule-breaking students along with his cat, Mrs. Norris. Therefore, viewers can expect more from Paul Whitehouse in this adaptation.
It’s also interesting to think about his return, especially now that he’ll be traversing the actual halls of Hogwarts. Outside of Harry Potter, Whitehouse is well-known for his roles in Tim Burton’s films, such as ‘Alice in Wonderland.’
This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing narrative of the Harry Potter series. While the new adaptation will feature new actors for younger characters, there is potential for casting older individuals with ties to the original franchise in key roles, like Whitehouse. Fans can revisit Paul Whitehouse’s previous performance in the film, and those with a Max subscription can stream the Harry Potter series. Stay tuned for further announcements about the upcoming adaptation, as it seems likely that this actor will leave a lasting impression at Hogwarts.
