HBO has officially cast Master of the Air and Black Mirror stars to play Petunia and Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter remake, making their casting all the more critical.

According to Variety, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have been officially cast to play Petunia and Vernon Dursley in HBO's Harry Potter. Powley is credited in TV shows like Masters of the Air (2024) and The Morning Show (2021), in addition to her film credits in The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015), White Boy Rick (2018), and A Small Light (2023). Rigby has appeared in projects such as Flowers (2016-2018), Careful How You Go (2017), and I, 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 the Harry Potter movies 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, so the Harry Potter remake should provide a fresh perspective on these characters. This will be a somewhat more book-faithful reflection of Vernon and Petunia, who, according to the Harry Potter books, should only be in their 30s during the events of Harry 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 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 for Harry Potter based 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's Harry Potter remake. 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, and the Harry Potter TV show could be ultimately better for it. Regardless, we are excited to see what these actors will bring to their roles in the series.

Source: Variety