- Primary Subject: Harry Potter
- Key Update: David Thewlis has officially ruled out returning as Professor Remus Lupin, stating he is far too old for the role and is sick of talking about the franchise.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 10, 2026
- Quick Answer: David Thewlis will not return; he cited his age (62) and a lack of interest in revisiting the role as his primary reasons for declining.
HBO is now hard at work developing its TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. With several cast members already confirmed, including Warwick Davis reprising his role as Professor Filius Flitwick, fans are eagerly wondering whether David Thewlis will return as Professor Remus Lupin.
The beloved Defense Against the Dark Arts professor first appeared in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and met his tragic fate during the Battle of Hogwarts in 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
So, will fans get to see him again on the small screen this time?
Will David Lewis Return as Professor Lupin in HBO’s Harry Potter?
Many original Harry Potter stars were asked whether they would be interested in returning for HBO’s Harry Potter, including David Thewlis. But compared to others who seemed enthusiastic, the English actor appeared uninterested.
“I feel like I'd be far too old to play my original character now,” he told ScreenTime. “And no, I wouldn't want to go back into it because I've had quite enough of that – sick of talking about it, quite honestly.”
But don’t get Thewlis wrong; he doesn’t dislike Harry Potter. In fact, he appreciates how the series brings joy to children, emphasizing that it’s ultimately meant for a younger audience.
“It is nice because with Harry Potter, it’s kids, and kids get very kind of impressed and very overawed, and it's very nice to make kids happy,” he added.
Thewlis was only 41 when he appeared in his first Harry Potter film. He went on to appear in four more installments, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Who Will Play Professor Lupin in HBO’s Harry Potter?
So far, it remains to be seen who will play Professor Lupin in HBO’s Harry Potter. The character is not expected to appear until the third season – unless there’s a change in story flow.
If David Thewlis chooses not to return, it’s highly likely that the role will be recast with an actor close in age to Lupin as he was depicted in the books, in his 30s, and similar to Thewlis when he first played the character.
Anyhow, several major roles in the series have already been recast, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Sirina Saba as Pomona Sprout, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, and Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch.
So, it won’t be a surprise if fans are about to see a new actor playing Professor Lupin.
The younger cast, on the other hand, includes Dominic McLaughlin as the titular character, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley.
HBO’s Harry Potter is slated for release in 2027 and is currently in production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK.
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