The star of the Harry Potter films presents his return to the television series as a different character: “It wasn’t enough”
Gary Oldman announces his return as a new character in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Adapting the books by author J.K. Rowling, the first Harry Potter film was released in 2001, and Oldman eventually made his franchise debut as Sirius Black in the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Oldman’s Black would appear briefly in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) before meeting a premature end in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), a plot point that will surely be recreated in HBO’s Harry Potter television series, which is set to launch on the streaming service next year.
While attending the 76th Primetime Emmys, IndieWire asked Oldman about potentially returning as Black in the Harry Potter TV series. While the actor doesn’t envision reprising his role, he does reveal that he has a lasting affection for Black and that he thinks the character may have been underused:
—I love you, Sirius. He wasn’t involved enough. He appeared and then he passed through the veil.
Oldman may not see returning as Black as a likely option, but he’s not against returning to the franchise in a completely new role, suggesting he could take on the role previously played by both the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, though it’s unclear how serious he is about that. Read his comment below:
“I’d bet my money that they’ll get a whole new cast of characters. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to play Dumbledore.”
What Oldman’s return would mean for the Harry Potter TV series
The Harry Potter TV series is still in development and it looks like casting is the next big thing. An open casting call has just been held in the United Kingdom to find the new Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and other characters are sure to join. There’s still no official confirmation as to whether any of the actors from the films will reprise their roles, but as this is a completely new adaptation for a new generation, it seems likely that Oldman’s assessment is correct and that the series will feature an entirely new cast.
Bringing back the original actors even as new characters could be shocking to those who saw the films, another reason why it’s unlikely. That said, it’s been almost 15 years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2and 17 years since Oldman’s death scene at the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Having aged 17 years, it’s possible that Oldman could return as Dumbledore, sporting a beard and long hair, in a way that would be acceptable to viewers of the original films. HBO, however, probably won’t want to double-down when it comes to casting.
