The Harry Potter TV series is making good on its promise to fill out the wizarding world in a way that the films couldn’t fully.
The HBO production has now cast the character of Peeves the Poltergeist, one who was cut from the original hit films.
Peter Serafinowicz will take on the role of the cheeky ghoul, usually found cooking up some sort of mischief in the corridors of Hogwarts.
The actor, 53, has a raft of other TV and film credits, most recently appearing in Amandaland and The Gentlemen on the box, as well as How to Train Your Dragon in its live-action adaptation.
He will also be familiar to fans from his roles in Parks and Recreation, Shaun of the Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy.
The news has been met with a mixed reaction from fans, for what is already a divisive adaptation, given executive producer and author JK Rowling’s transphobic beliefs.
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Taking to social media, several described the news as ‘disappointing’, echoing the response other casting announcements for the project were met with.
But other fans were excited to see the character committed to screen after he was omitted from the films, with Jaybee writing: ‘PEEVES!! I can’t believe they’re actually casting his character in the show. Justice!’
@BlackMajikMan90 wrote: ‘This is why the Harry Potter HBO show exists.’
Meanwhile over on a Reddit thread discussing the news, Serafinowicz was praised for his comic ability, with @dannypan writing: ‘Really good choice, he’s an extremely good impressionist so he’ll be great at mocking everyone by copying their voices. An under-appreciated comedian imo.’
Peeves the Poltergeist was cast as the late British comedian Rik Mayall for the original film series, before his role was cut for time.
‘I did a little bit of filming then I went home and got the money – significant – then a month later they said “Rik, sorry about this, you’re not in the film”, Mayall revealed in an interview before his death in 2014.
The actor was offered tickets to the film’s opening night, which he gave to his children as he was busy shooting another project – although he never told them his role had been cut.
He explained: ‘They came back and said “It’s bloody good make-up. You didn’t look like yourself at all, dad, it’s really good” – they thought I was playing Hagrid.’
The TV adaptation of Harry Potter premieres on Christmas Day.