London, Aug 6 (PTI): Acclaimed actors Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen, and Riz Ahmed have joined the cast to lend their voices to iconic characters Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, and Severus Snape, respectively, for new "Harry Potter" audiobooks. This exciting collaboration involves Pottermore Publishing and Audible.
The impressive voice cast further includes Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall and Cush Jumbo as the narrator. The roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger will initially be voiced by Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton, respectively, for the first three audiobooks. In the series' subsequent four books, these characters will be taken over by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis.
These "Harry Potter" audiobooks will feature an original score and real-world sound effects designed to enrich the listening experience. The project involves over 200 actors, and additional cast members will be announced in the coming month.
Rachel Ghiazza, Audible's Chief Content Officer, remarked on the project, stating, "Magic is coming alive as these brilliant actors lift iconic characters off the page and into our ears. Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary."
Neil Blair, Chairman of Pottermore Publishing, echoed the excitement, saying they eagerly anticipate a new generation of children experiencing these stories in a fresh and innovative way. "We’re thrilled to be partnering with Audible to reimagine the Harry Potter stories through this groundbreaking full-cast audio experience. J.K. Rowling’s rich, immersive world is perfectly suited to this next evolution in audiobook storytelling," Blair stated.
The series' first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," is scheduled for release on November 4. Meanwhile, the beloved series is also set to make a return to the screen as an upcoming HBO show.
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