Actor and comedian Hugh Laurie and Succession star Matthew Macfadyen are to star in a brand new full-cast Harry Potter audiobook series.
The stars are among 200 actors lending their voices to bring to life the characters from JK Rowling's wizarding world for an immersive audio series, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.
Laurie, best known for starring in the medical drama series House, has been cast as Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, while Macfadyen will voice antagonist Lord Voldemort.
Laurie said: "I’m honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible.
"I’m also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m’colleague Stephen Fry. Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it’s a privilege to be among their number."
The novels have previously been produced into single-voice recordings by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry.
Produced by Audible and Pottermore Publishing, the new audiobook series will include a full cast, original music and real-world sound capture to create an immersive audio experience.
Emmy award-winning actor, Riz Ahmed, also joins the cast as Professor Snape alongside Scottish actress Michelle Gomez who will voice Professor McGonagall and Cush Jumbo as the narrator.
Newcomers Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger respectively in audiobooks one, two and three.
From audiobook four through to the last book in the series, the three protagonists will be played by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis (Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively).
It comes after production for the new HBO TV adaptation of the popular fantasy novels began earlier this summer.
Each season of the show will be a faithful adaptation of the Harry Potter books, from author and executive producer JK Rowling.
Additional cast members will be announced this autumn.
Source: Press Association
