TheHarry Potterremake has cast its Professor Quirrell, and its actor fixes a movie detail that made the character’s narrative a bit less believable. HBO’sHarry Pottershow announced its first six cast members, revealing that Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell in the upcoming series. Given how crucial Quirrell is toThe Sorcerer’s Stone, getting his character right is important. And although Thallon doesn’t have many movies or shows to reference, he has theater credits that highlight his skill. He also has one thing going for him that theHarry Pottermovies' Quirrell didn’t.
Ian Hart is memorable as Quirrell in the films, as he puts on a great performance — both in terms of bringing the character to life and by pretending to be a harmless professor in-universe. Hart playsHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’s endingtwist brilliantly, making it feel just like the book. But there’s one aspect of the villain’s allegiance to Voldemort that raises questions, andthe age difference between the movies' Quirrell actor and the show’s could solve that problem.
Harry Potter’s Original Quirrell Actor Is Older Than The Remake’s
Ian Hart Is Almost 10 Years Older Than Luke Thallon
One notable difference between Thallon and Hart is their age, but that could work in the new Quirrell star’s favor. Hart is currently 60 years old, and he was around 37 when he played the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.That seems average — maybe even a tad young — for a Hogwarts professor, but it means the original actor is nearly 10 years older than the one tapped for HBO’s remake. The upcoming series seems to be seeking out younger stars, as Paapa Essiedu is 20 years Alan Rickman’s junior as well.
With Thallon being 29 years old, his Quirrell will feel like a different character.
With Thallon being 29 years old, his Quirrell will feel like a different character — one navigating early adulthood in the Wizarding World rather than an established professional well into his 30s. This adds a new layer to the character, andit’s one that fits surprisingly well with hisSorcerer’s Stonestory. It also suggests Thallon’s portrayal could feel more accurate to the book than his movie counterpart, even though Hart does an exceptional job of bringing the Hogwarts professor to life.
The Harry Potter Remake’s Casting Makes Quirrell More Book Accurate
The Books Suggest He’s A Younger Man
Although Quirrell’s age is never explicitly stated intheHarry Potterbooks,he’s described as a younger professor, leaving many readers with the impression that he’s in his 20s or early 30s. Harry calls Quirrell “young and pale” upon meeting him inSorcerer’s Stone,and Hagrid calls back to his days as a student, noting that he fared better “studying out of books.” Of course, Quirrell is a teacher for several years whenSorcerer’sStoneopens (first for Muggle Studies, then for Defense Against the Dark Arts), and he went on sabbatical. So, he can’t bethatyoung.
AsCBRnotes, he had to be born before 1967, assumingHogwarts Mystery’s revelation that he was teaching in 1985 is canon. While it doesn’t entirely rule out Quirrell being in his late 30s or 40s, his anxious demeanor, career trajectory, and description hint that he’s closer to Thallon’s age than Hart’s.
Quirrell Being Younger Makes His Sorcerer’s Stone Story Much More Believable
Quirrell being younger in HBO’s Harry Potter remake makes hisSorcerer’s Stonestory more believable, asit explains why he fell for Voldemort’s manipulations so easily. Quirrell meets Voldemort while he’s traveling in Albania, and he’s tempted by the Dark Lord’s promise of power. The fact that he willingly accepts an arrangement where Voldemort will take over the back of his head suggests some naivety, as does his willingness to place his trust in the villain in the first place.
We know there are plenty of Death Eaters around the same age or older than the movies' Quirrell, but they seem more naturally drawn to the Voldemort’s cruelty. There’s little indication that Quirrell has strong feelings about the Dark Lord prior to crossing paths with him; in fact, he’s the Muggle Studies teacher beforehand, suggesting a wholly separate set of beliefs and values. And if Quirrell is willing to be taken in by Voldemort, it implies two things: he’s still impressionable, or he’s young enough that he doesn’t remember how bad things got during his first rise to power.
A younger Quirrell could be an interesting spin, so it’s nice to see theHarry Pottershow diverging from the movies in this regard. It’ll also make his fate more tragic, even if it’s deserved after everything he does.
