Playing poltergeist Peeves

Peter Serafinowicz is to play Peeves, the mischievous poltergeist at Hogwarts, in the new Harry Potter TV series.

The late Rik Mayall had been lined up play the ghost in  the original movie versions of JK Rowling’s books – but the character was subsequently dropped.

Mayall once said: ‘I did a little bit of filming then I went home and got the money – significant – then a month later they said, ‘Rik, sorry about this, you’re not in the film."’

Now entertainment trade bible Variety reports that  Serafinowicz is taking the role in the forthcoming HBO project.

He has a long list of credits in comedy and beyond – from Spaced to Amandaland, Shaun Of The Dead to The Phantom Menace.

HBO’s adaptation, which is reportedly planned to run for seven series, one for each book in the series, has plans to ‘go deeper’ than the films, given they will have a much longer running time.

Published: 16 Jun 2026