HBO has officially castMaster of the AirandBlack Mirrorstars to play Petunia and Vernon Dursley in the upcomingHarry PotterTV show. Petunia, previously played by Fiona Shaw, is Harry’s maternal aunt and the older sister of Lily Potter. She and her husband, Vernon, played by the late Richard Griffiths in theHarry Pottermovies, reluctantly took Harry in as a baby and kept his status as a wizard a dark secret. These characters should have especially prominent roles in the first season of theHarry Potterremake, making their casting all the more critical.
According toVariety,Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have been officially cast to play Petunia and Vernon Dursley in HBO’sHarry Potter. Powley is credited in TV shows likeMasters of the Air(2024) andThe Morning Show(2021), in addition to her film credits inThe Diary of a Teenage Girl(2015),White Boy Rick(2018), andA Small Light(2023). Rigby has appeared in projects such asFlowers(2016-2018),Careful How You Go(2017), andI, Jack Wright(2025).
What HBO’s Petunia & Vernon Durlsey Casting Means For The Harry Potter Remake
This Casting Is Drastically Different From The Harry Potter Movies
HBO has taken a different approach from theHarry Pottermovies when it comes to Vernon and Petunia Dursley’s casting. Powley and Rigby are significantly younger than Shaw and Griffiths were when they took on the roles, sotheHarry Potterremake should provide a fresh perspective on these characters. This will be a somewhat more book-faithful reflection of Vernon and Petunia, who, according to theHarry Potterbooks, should only be in their 30s during the events ofHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
It’s likely that these actors were cast for Harry Potter based on their performances and ages rather than how their appearances compare to that of the book characters.
Apart from her age, Powley doesn’t fit the book description of Petunia Dursley. She is described as having blonde hair, a horse-like face, and a long neck. Similarly, Rigby isn’t a match for Vernon in terms of appearance, since Harry’s uncle is described as an obese man with a short neck and a walrus-like mustache. It’s likely that these actors were cast forHarry Potterbased on their performances and ages rather than how their appearances compare to that of the book characters.
Our Take On The Harry Potter Remake’s Vernon & Petunia Dursley Casting
These Younger Actors Are An Encouraging Change
It’s a significant relief that HBO has cast younger actors for the roles of Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Though Shaw and Griffiths were phenomenal, their ages somewhat shifted the dynamics of the Dursley family.The fact that Powley has been cast to play Petunia suggests that a younger actor will also be cast to play the adult Lily Potter, which is essential since it further emphasizes the tragedy of this character’s death.
As far as the actors' physical appearances, this really shouldn’t be an issue in HBO’sHarry Potterremake. The color of Pentunia’s hair is by no means important, but it can also easily be changed for the series. What could, perhaps, invite criticism is Rigby’s weight. Vernon’s obesity is a defining characteristic in the books, but it doesn’t actually play into his role in Harry’s life. HBO could easily do away with this, andtheHarry PotterTV show could be ultimately better for it. Regardless, we are excited to see what these actors will bring to their roles in the upcoming series.
