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Harry Potter’s highly anticipated TV series is ‘set to cast’ actor Bill Nighy to star in the new episodes.
The legendary British actor, 75, was secretly approached by bosses working on the HBO series, which went into production in August.
It’s understood that Bill has taken part in screen tests to play a Hogwarts potions master role.
The news comes after the Love Actually star agreed to voice a character for the new Harry Potter audio series.
An insider said: ‘It has been very “hush-hush”, but Bill was thrilled to take part in screen tests for the role last month.’
They continued to The Sun: ‘He wants it, the Potter production team want it, and now it’s a waiting game until contracts are signed.
‘It will be a real coup to have Bill join a stellar cast.’
Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Bill for comment.
Previously sharing his excitement at landing a role in the new audio project, Bill said: ‘I was pleased to be asked to play the professor after having already played a minister for magic.
‘I’m always grateful when asked to play academics, having not been further educated myself.’
Bill previously starred in the original movies, playing minister for magic Rufus Scrimgeour.
Dominic McLaughlin has bagged the role of Harry Potter, as Arabella Stanton will play Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout will portray Ron Weasley.
Additional cast sees Rory Wilmot set play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser – best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones – as Garrick Ollivander.
Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby were announced the Mr and Mrs Dursley earlier this year.
Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman.
Actor and comedian Nick Frost will play legendary Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in the adaption.
Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy’s dad Lucius – who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie.
Emmy winner John Lithgow has also signed on the dotted line to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny’s mum Molly Weasley.
Harry Potter filming resumed this week, as stars of the HBO series took to the historic Ashridge Estate to film Quidditch scenes.
Taking to the grounds of the estate in Hertfordshire, Dominic McLaughlin, who is playing the titular character, was seen alongside Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
The use of the location acts as history repeating itself, as the grounds were previously used for 2005 movie Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, where the surroundings acted as the background for the Quidditch World Cup.
