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Audible is bringing a brand new full-cast version of the Harry Potter books, and the voice cast is filled with famous names. After announcing the project last year, the company has now confirmed the list of actors who will bring J.K. Rowling’s magical world to life. Hugh Laurie will voice the wise and mysterious Albus Dumbledore. Matthew Macfadyen, known for his role in Succession, will take on the voice of the dark Lord Voldemort. Michelle Gomez, from Doctor Who, will play Professor McGonagall.
The role of Professor Snape will be voiced by Riz Ahmed. Cush Jumbo will serve as the narrator, guiding listeners through the story in a deeply immersive way. Unlike the HBO Max show that will allow the cast to grow over time, the audio versions needed two sets of voices for the three main characters. One set will cover Harry, Ron, and Hermione as children in the first three books. A second set will portray them as teenagers from the fourth book onward.
Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will voice the younger versions of the trio. Interestingly, Arabella Stanton will also play Hermione in the HBO Max live-action series. She was announced for the TV show earlier this year, but it is not clear which project signed her first. Treadaway previously acted in Matilda the Musical on stage, and Lester had a brief role in the recent superhero movie Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The older voices for Harry, Ron, and Hermione will be done by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis. Audible says more than 200 actors will be involved across all seven books. New cast members will continue to be announced as the release dates get closer. The Philosopher’s Stone will be released on November fourth. After that, a new book will drop each month. The final book, The Deathly Hallows, will be available in May next year. All of the books will be unabridged and include original music and sound effects to create a real cinematic feel.
Hugh Laurie said he feels honoured to voice Dumbledore. He also mentioned the legacy of actors who have played the role before him, such as Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law. Laurie praised previous narrators like Jim Dale and Stephen Fry and said it is a privilege to now be part of that group.
Audible’s Chief Content Officer, Rachel Ghiazza, said that these performances were recorded in advanced studios and that the results are magical. She believes this project will not only bring joy to long-time Harry Potter fans but also introduce a whole new generation to the world of Hogwarts through audio.
Meanwhile, public attention continues around J.K. Rowling’s views on gender and sex. She has received criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations for her comments on transgender rights. Rowling also started a women’s fund in May 2025 to support legal efforts in favour of what she calls “sex-based rights.” Several stars from the original films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have publicly disagreed with Rowling’s views and shown support for the transgender community. Others, such as Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter, have spoken out in her defence.
The new Audible series is likely to generate interest for both the quality of its production and the strong opinions people still hold about the franchise’s creator. Regardless of the controversy, fans are looking forward to hearing the world of Harry Potter brought to life in a completely new way.