Toby Jones Set to Revive Iconic Dobby Role in New Harry Potter Series
Isabella Floyd
Published May 16, 2026
By Published Apr 15, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT Megan Peters is the Deputy Editor at ScreenRant for comics, anime, and manga. Her career in entertainment journalism spans more than a decade as she built coverage lanes at ComicBook under CBS and Paramount following years of freelancing.
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It has been a number of years since Hollywood traveled through the halls of Hogwarts, but that will change soon enough. In 2026, the world learned J.K. Rowling's iconic series was making plans to takeover television following its run in theaters. With an official trailer on hand from HBO Max, . While some fans are still arguing over whether the show is even needed, others are pitching their dream cast, and we already know one star from the Harry Potter movie must return to reprise their role on television.
Honestly, at this point, it is hard to imagine any other actor taking up the gig. In the same way actor Warwick Davis embodies Professor Flitwick, Britain's own Toby Jones is the same for Dobby. If HBO Max can cast Davis for its Harry Potter project, then Merlin's Beard, it could do the same for the beloved voice of Dobby the Elf.
I Can't Imagine Anyone But Toby Jones Voicing Dobby In Harry Potter
Dobby may have been brought to life through CGI on film, but Jones' portrayal of the house elf was nothing short of grounded. The actor's natural voice completely transformed when they channeled Dobby as Jones' high-pitched frantic energy suited Dobby just fine. The house elf's natural nerves were clear to see through Jones' voice work, making fans forget in all honestly that a real person was voicing Dobby at all.
Beyond Jones' vocal performance, his commitment to Harry Potter helped Warner Bros. Pictures design Dobby. The actor did all his voice work in a booth off set, but Jones was recorded on camera for animators to reference. His expressiveness was then laid into Dobby, giving the house elf a gravity that is otherwise hard to capture. From Dobby's self-hatred to his unwavering loyalty, all these emotions were brought to life by Jones, and his performance is truly flawless. It is impossible to imagine another actor embodying Dobby the way Jones did, leaving many .
With Davis returning to reprise his role as Professor Flitwick, there is a path for Jones' return to Harry Potter if HBO Max wants to cut a deal. The question is whether the British star is interested. Dobby will play a key role in Harry Potter's second season as the house elf debuts in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. There is no timeline for the season's release as Harry Potter doesn't debut until December 2026. But if all goes well, Dobby could hit the small screen in 2028.
The Harry Potter Series Can't Avoid Movie Comparisons, So Might As Well Lean Into Them
While some fans may balk at the idea of Harry Potter revisiting talents from its films, let's face it. The , and that's a fact. No amount of pleading is going to change people and their inherent need to compare what's new to what's old. HBO Max clearly recognizes this truth as it is bringing Davis back, but if you think the show wants to copy the films verbatim, think again. The show's first trailer proves . The difference will be big enough to smooth over any television-film comparisons, making it easy to slot Jones into the new project.
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The reprisal would not be too hard, if we're being honest. Unlike Warwick's return, Jones would not be seen on camera if he came back to play Dobby. The character will be done up through CGI or perhaps practically with puppet work if we're lucky. With just voice work needed, Jones could seamlessly split back into Dobby's shoes (or socks rather) if he is so inclined. Because without Jones, it is hard to imagine how the house elf's return to Harry Potter will fare.
Cast
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Dominic McLaughlin Harry Potter -
Janet McTeer Minerva McGonagall -
Albus Dumbledore -
Nick Frost Hagrid
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