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Slowly but surely, HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is taking shape with casting announcements revealing who will bring the iconic characters to life for a new generation of fans. The highly anticipated series has found its core trio: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron. Other familiar names, such as Shaun of the Dead‘s Nick Frost and MobLand‘s Janet McTeer, will be found on the cast list, along with The IT Crowd‘s Katherine Parkinson. Due to play Molly Weasley, Parkinson will be taking over from Julie Walters, who infused genuine warmth and laugh-out-loud comedy into the role.
Film and TV fans may already be acquainted with Parkinson, as she’s starred in a variety of projects over the years. However, The IT Crowd remains one of Parkinson’s most well-known shows. Like Paapa Essiedu, who will portray Severus Snape, Parkinson is mostly known to British audiences so far. Having said that, playing the matriarch of the modest Weasley family will undoubtedly raise her international profile and showcase her talent to a global viewership. In the meantime, fans who want to know a bit more about the exciting new addition to the magical franchise won’t go far wrong with the British sitcom.
The IT Crowd is an Enduring and Celebrated British Comedy
The IT Crowd has a firm place in British sitcom history, standing as a beloved, nostalgic show for longtime fans and an intriguing comedy for new viewers. It focuses on the titular department of the fictional Reynholm Industries in London. The three co-workers, Jen Barber (Parkinson), Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade), and Roy Trenneman (Chris O’dowd), work together in the basement.
Despite being the newly appointed boss, Jen has almost no knowledge of computers. Nevertheless, she continues with her role, generating some of the best comic moments in the show. Parkinson manages to hit every comedic note, whilst also making Jen an endearing and somewhat relatable character.
The three actors shared equal responsibility to create a hilarious dynamic between their roles, a feat which was successfully achieved by each of them, and contributed to the show becoming one of the funniest British comedies. The subtlety of Parkinson’s facial expressions underscored her spoken delivery, as well as emphasized Jen feeling out of her depth.
As the episodes go on, Jen doesn’t exactly gain any real expertise, but she learns how to navigate the department with confidence. No matter where the narrative takes her character, Parkinson delivers a natural performance that never feels forced. It’s easy to believe her character exists, especially with traits that resonate with a lot of fans. Parkinson received multiple BAFTA Award nominations for her part in The IT Crowd. She won two of the accolades, one of which was for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2014.
Parkinson Has Starred in a Range of Shows and Films
Beyond The IT Crowd, Parkinson has built a filmography with a variety of shows and films that depict her versatility. In 2008, she appeared in How to Lose Friends and Alienate People as a PR woman. The film also starred Kirsten Dunst, Simon Pegg, and Gillian Anderson.
A year later, she played Felicity in The Boat That Rocked, shortly followed by St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, in which she played a physics teacher. Her two most recent movies came out in 2022, The Nan Movie, and in 2024, That Christmas. In the former, she played Nell, younger sister to Catherine Tate’s famous comedy character, Nan. For the latter, Parkinson demonstrated her aptitude for voice-over work, playing the animated character, Mrs. Forrest.
From 2005 to 2009, Parkinson starred in the comedy-drama Doc Martin, with a consistently authentic and engaging portrayal of Pauline Lamb. The beloved British series allowed Parkinson to exhibit her skill as an actor, just before playing Jen Barber. From there, fans have been able to regularly enjoy Parkinson’s work, acting in the likes of Sherlock, Inside No.9, and Rivals, as well as being a truly hilarious contestant on a range of panel game shows.
Parkinson is an Exciting Addition to the Harry Potter Cast
Bringing her own version of magic to one of Harry Potter‘s best characters will be a thrill for fans of Parkinson. She’s an accomplished performer ready to take on a beloved franchise, and viewers can rest in the knowledge that it’ll be a heartfelt and committed portrayal. As has been seen time and again, Parkinson knows exactly how to get viewers laughing. Assuming that she’ll add humor as Walters did, Molly is in very good hands. Even if the character gets taken in a new direction, Parkinson is the performer for the job.
Whilst the run-up to the Harry Potter reboot may feel just too long for the devoted fans of the franchise, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the new cast. The IT Crowd is the perfect example of a workplace comedy with the top-tier acting that Parkinson is capable of. It may be worlds away from Hogwarts and the like, but it’s still worth exploring for some sidesplitting comedy and clever writing.
