**VERDICT: FAKE**
VERDICT: FAKE
A viral post claiming that HBO has recast Harry Potter with a “gender-swapped, non-binary, wheelchair-using actress” named Riley Quinn-Dumbledore is completely fabricated.
The Rumor: A screenshot of a fake press release from HBO circulated widely on X and TikTok, stating that the new Harry Potter TV show would feature a “reimagined” Harry, played by 16-year-old Riley Quinn-Dumbledore, who “uses a wheelchair for EDS and identifies as pansexual.” The post claimed the show would be titled Harry Potter: The Chosen One Remixed.
Why It’s Fake:
- No Official Announcement: HBO has not cast any roles for the show yet. In March 2024, they opened a casting call for British and Irish children, specifically ages 9-11, to audition for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Formal casting has not been finalized.
- Fake Source: The image of the press release includes a typo (“Feburary”) and a non-existent HBO logo variant. The post originated from a known satirical account, The Wizarding World Observer, which labels itself as “parody.”
- Contradicts Previous Statements: HBO has repeatedly stated the show will be a faithful adaptation of the books, not a “remix.” The showrunner has said they intend to “tell the story exactly as J.K. Rowling wrote it.”
- J.K. Rowling’s Role: Despite controversy around Rowling’s views on gender, she is a producer on the show. It is extremely unlikely she would approve a version of Harry that deviates so drastically from the source material.
What Is Real:
- The Harry Potter TV show is happening. It was announced in 2023 and is planned for a 2027 release on Max (formerly HBO Max).