Beloved TV Star Finally Addresses Harry Potter Reboot Casting — 17 Years After Missing Out on the Films

HBO is rebuilding Hogwarts from the ground up, and one familiar TV doc might be heading there. Kevin McKidd, fresh off his Grey's Anatomy exit, says he is game for the new Harry Potter series if the stars align. Given how high the casting bar is this time around, that could actually make sense.

So why is McKidd suddenly in the mix?

Two things happened almost at once. First, McKidd told Entertainment Weekly he heard the chatter and would be open to it. Second, Gracie Cochrane, the young actor set to play Ginny Weasley, followed him on Instagram, which lit the speculation fuse. Fans immediately jumped to Arthur Weasley theories, partly because Arthur is not in year one and has not been cast yet.

"Never say never. I'm a massive Harry Potter fan."

"The idea of getting another crack at that already gets me very excited."

He almost joined Potter the first time

McKidd actually had a shot at the original films. Director David Yates sent him a letter offering a role in both Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011). The timing was brutal: McKidd was leading the short-lived sci-fi series Journeyman and was contractually stuck until the network decided on a second season. He had to say no. Journeyman was then canceled, and that window slammed shut. The part he was reportedly up for back then? Fenrir Greyback, the Death Eater werewolf. No wonder he still sounds a little sore about it.

Timing-wise, he is available

Season 22 of Grey's Anatomy wrapped with both Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt) and Kim Raver (Teddy Altman) leaving. Story-wise, Owen chose to move to Paris so Teddy could take a new job there, which doubled as a clean goodbye. McKidd joined in Season 5 and stuck around for 17 seasons, so yes, his schedule just opened up in a big way.

Where the HBO series stands right now

The new show is a full retelling of J.K. Rowling's novels, which means a long runway of casting ahead. The original films assembled a murderer’s row of British talent — Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith — so expectations are not exactly low. A few key pieces are already set, and they are not small swings:

• John Lithgow is playing Albus Dumbledore.
• Nick Frost is Hagrid.
• Gracie Cochrane is set as Ginny Weasley.
• Katherine Parkinson is Molly Weasley.
• Arthur Weasley has not been cast yet and does not show up until book two, which keeps that door wide open.

So, who would McKidd play?

There are two obvious paths. He could finally make good on the role he missed — Fenrir Greyback — if the series wants to mirror that original idea. Or he could slide into the Weasley family as Arthur, which the Instagram follow certainly nudged people to consider. Either way, with McKidd publicly waving the wand and saying he is interested, and with HBO still filling big roles, this is one rumor that actually has legs.