The Harry Potter reboot is finally handing out its Hogwarts letters, and the Dursleys just cut. While fans are still split on whether this fresh take is even necessary, one casting choice is turning heads for all the right reasons. The new Petunia Dursley isn’t just another cold aunt with a stiff upper lip, she’s got a serious TV track record that promises a whole new flavor of spite.
With the Dursleys officially back on Privet Drive and a powerhouse actress stepping into Petunia’s heels, it’s safe to say the wizarding world’s most bitter Muggle just got a major upgrade.
Harry Potter reboot finds its Dursleys, and they mean business
The Harry Potter TV reboot just found its favorite miserable muggles. Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby are officially stepping into the shoes (and scowls) of Petunia and Vernon Dursley, and honestly, this casting has some serious bite (via Variety).
HBO’s upcoming “faithful adaptation” of the beloved wizarding saga just got a lot more interesting with these two on board. Bel Powley, known for The Morning Show, Masters of the Air, and A Small Light, has built a reputation for playing layered, emotionally complex women. So don’t expect a one-note Petunia. She’s got range and she’s not afraid to use it.
Daniel Rigby, the new Uncle Vernon, isn’t just bringing the bluster. He’s a BAFTA winner, with credits in Renegade Nell, Tom Jones, and the upcoming Blade Runner 2099. He’s got dramatic chops and comedic timing, which might make Vernon even more terrifying (and oddly entertaining).
Of course, the original Dursleys played by Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths were iconic. But with this reboot aiming to “explore every corner of the wizarding world,” it’s clear HBO is going all in.
Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron) are already locked in. Add John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and this cast is looking stacked.
The Dursleys may not have loved magic, but we’re loving this magical casting. Powley’s TV resumé isn’t just solid, it’s stellar. She’s about to turn Aunt Petunia into more than just a scowl and a side-eye.
Watch this space. Or better yet, that cupboard under the stairs.
What happened to the Dursleys after Harry Potter ended
Turns out the Dursleys didn’t face much fallout after Voldemort’s defeat – no trials, no magical reckoning, just a quiet fade into muggle suburbia. While Death Eaters like Lucius Malfoy got off with a metaphorical slap, fans pointed fingers at Vernon and Petunia’s unchecked cruelty. Neglecting Harry for years might not have raised Ministry alarms, but it screamed child services in the real world.
Harry Potter Wiki revealed Dudley eventually made peace with Harry; they stayed on “Christmas card terms” and visited each other with their kids (per GamingBible). Petunia reportedly died before 2020, and Dudley likely passed on the news, hinting that Harry had already cut ties with his former guardians.
The takeaway was harsh but clear. The Dursleys, like Malfoy, got off light. For a saga rooted in justice, Harry Potter left some moral debts unpaid.
The Harry Potter TV series is set to be released in 2026.
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