Michael Gambon and more cast in J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy

By Caroline Siede | June 6, 2014 | 5:56pm

Aux Features TV

A familiar face will be teaming up with J.K. Rowling again. Michael Gambon, who previously portrayed Dumbledore in six Harry Potter films, will star in the previously announced BBC One/HBO miniseries adaptation of Rowling’s post-Potter novel, The Casual Vacancy. The book centers on the tensions that erupt in a small English village after a local politician dies. Gambon will play delicatessen owner Howard Mollison, and joining him are Julia McKenzie as his wife, Rufus Jones as his son, and Keeley Hawes as his daughter-in-law. Seemingly the whole rest of England has also been given parts in the expansive cast: Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan, Keeley Forsyth, Simon McBurney, Richard Glover, Marie Critchley, Michelle Austin, and newcomer Abigail Lawrie are also on board.

Even after this lengthy casting announcement, there are at least 10 roles still yet to be filled. The miniseries will eventually air in three one-hour episodes, which should give each actor time to appear on screen for about five minutes. Production begins in England on July 7.