An audition tape featuring Arabella Stanton, the actress cast as Hermione Granger in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, has captivated fans and drawn widespread comparisons to the original portrayal by Emma Watson.
The 11-year-old Stanton, who has already gained acclaim for her lead role as Matilda in London’s West End production of Matilda the Musical from 2023 to 2024, appears in the resurfaced footage showing her auditioning for the role of Hermione. While it is unclear if the video is her official audition for the Harry Potter series, viewers on social media were quick to praise her performance, noting striking similarities to Watson’s interpretation of the character.
On TikTok, fans expressed astonishment, with one user commenting, “Are we sure she wasn’t lip syncing Emma Watson’s audio? That was uncanny.” Another wrote, “Yeah that’s Hermione Granger 100 percent. The facial expressions, the attitude, the tone. Nailed it.” Others echoed the sentiment, stating the clip should put any doubts about her casting “to rest.”
Fans have also compared Stanton’s performance to a blend of Emma Watson and Jenna Ortega, applauding her for capturing the essence of the beloved book character. “She’s literally PERFECT for this role! I wasn’t so excited they were remaking HP but I’m kinda looking forward to it now,” commented one viewer.
The casting for the highly anticipated series was announced earlier this week, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry Potter and Alastair Stout cast as Ron Weasley. Creator J.K. Rowling praised the young leads as “wonderful,” stating she “couldn’t be happier” with the choices.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the extensive casting process led by Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, saying, “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.”
The series will also feature veteran actors including Nick Frost, John Lithgow, and Paul Whitehouse, adding further excitement to the project.
The enthusiasm surrounding Stanton’s audition tape highlights the anticipation and high expectations for HBO’s new take on the Harry Potter universe.
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