For many ‘Harry Potter‘ fans, one of the biggest disappointments of the original film franchise was the absence of Peeves the Poltergeist. The mischievous spirit was a fan-favorite presence throughout J.K. Rowling’s novels.
But despite his scenes being filmed for the movies, the character never made it onto the big screen. Now, 25 years later, HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series is finally set to correct that mistake.
Peter Serafinowicz To Play Hogwarts’ Resident Troublemaker in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’
According to Variety, British comedian and actor Peter Serafinowicz has joined the cast of HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ reboot in the role of Peeves the Poltergeist. Much like the beloved troublemaker of Hogwarts, you might know Serafinowicz for his sharp comedic performances and distinctive voice work.
Recently, he has gained attention for his Nigel Farage impersonation on ‘SNL UK’. But Serafinowicz is known for appearing in major franchises. He appears as a sommelier in ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’, Denarian Saal in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and Spitelout in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
We are very familiar with Peter Serafinowicz’s ability to play diverse roles with a unique sense of humor. But for viewers who know the Hogwarts world only from the movies, the character of Peeves may come as a surprise.
Much like the ghosts at Hogwarts, Peeves is a poltergeist, a supernatural being known for bringing chaos. He has lived in Hogwarts since around the year 993, spending much of his time creating havoc through endless mischiefs.
He was particularly fond of Fred and George Weasley, helping them cause so many of their elaborate pranks. Most importantly, he was an essential and unforgettable ally for the students of Hogwarts.
Yet, despite appearing in all seven books and having his scenes shot for the franchise, Peeves never appeared in a single ‘Harry Potter‘ film. Hence, an entire sect of ‘Harry Potter’ movie fans has never even met Hogwarts’ most iconic resident.
The Original Peeves Was Filmed But Got His Scenes Cut
The role of Peeves in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ initially went to Rik Mayall, the revered English comedian and actor known for embodying a larger-than-life comedy style. Speaking in an interview, Mayall revealed why the audience never got to see his performance in the movie.
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“I played the part of Peeves. But I got sent off the set because every time I tried to do a bit of acting, all the schoolkids kept getting the giggles. I did a little bit of filming—then I went home, and I got the money. Then a month later, they said they were sorry they’d cut me out of the film.”
This decision left out an important character of the franchise. During Dolores Umbridge’s time as Hogwarts’ headmaster, Peeves enthusiastically joined the students in making her life miserable. Later, during the Battle of Hogwarts, he fought against Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
The runtime of the original films actually cut many subplots and secondary characters. Peeves is just one notable casualty of that process. But fortunately, HBO’s upcoming series comes with a promising premise.
The new ‘Harry Potter’ series will devote each season to each book. This leaves them with plenty of time to restore many of these missing pieces. With Peter Serafinowicz’s casting confirming Peeves’ return, we can’t wait to see all the exciting additions the series will make next.
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