Entertainment

Her Post-'Potter' Novel Is Getting A Mini-Series

by Christine DiStasio

Rejoice Harry Potter fans — while you're waiting for that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy and The Cuckoos Calling sequel, another J.K. Rowling novel will be getting the small screen-treatment. Back in Dec. 2012, BBC and Rowling announced The Casual Vacancy will be a miniseries that would air in 2014 on the network. And now that 2014 is finally here, there are new and exciting developments about the adaptation of Rowling's first post-Potter novel — including that HBO is collaborating with BBC on The Casual Vacancy miniseries.

How do we know that the home-network of Game of Thrones is involved? Last week, a casting call for the project appeared online along with an announcement that Jonny Campbell (Alien Autopsy, Doctor Who) is set to direct. The call also revealed that HBO was working with BBC to develop the miniseries — which could mean something great for us Rowling fans across the pond. The cable giant's involvement could mean that The Casual Vacancy miniseries has a place to be broadcast in the United States. We may not have loved it when Rowling debuted it as her first work post-Potter — but any Rowling project is something Potterheads want to see.

The casting call has since expired Wednesday afternoon and been removed from TheatreBristol but you can view a copy of the call here. The urgent casting call was for the characters Fats, Arf, Paul, and Krystal — so naturally, being the Rowling-philes we are, we dream-casted the roles.

Fats

"15 – 16. Thin, sallow face. Funny, laconic and nonchalant. Best friends with ARF. Disrespectful of what he sees as loser parents. Pleased with himself, smokes weed. Light West Country accent."

Our Pick: Miles Teller

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

He's a little old for this role — by more than 10 years — but Teller is having a moment right now and any excuse to see more of him is a good one.

Arf

"15-16. Has a bad complexion, uncomfortable about the way he looks. Suffers at the hands of his horrible father. Keeps his pain to himself. Devotedly in love with beautiful GAIA. Light West Country accent."

Our Pick: Logan Lerman

Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Lerman's closer to the age — but he was believable as a high school student in The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Where he lacks in the bad complexion criteria (that could easily be done with make-up), he more than makes up for it with his experience being devotedly in love and keeping his pain to himself.

Paul

"12. Younger brother of ARF. Terrified of his father, and always stands to attention when he comes into the room. Arf looks after him when their father is bullying him. Light West Country accent."

Our Pick: Mason Vale Cotton

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

The most recent Bobby Draper will actually be 12 years old when Casual Vacancy begins shooting this summer. And he's definitely used to dealing with moderately terrifying fathers. Also, is it just me or do he and Lerman kind of look alike?

Krystal

"15/16. Cocky, all swagger, sass and a foul mouth. She also has the ability to melt your heart. Krystal is brave and a fighter; she is the sole carer of her heroin addict mum (Terri) and her younger brother Robbie (aged 5). A terrible fate awaits Krystal. Light West Country accent."

Our Pick: Saoirse Ronan

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Sticking with the slightly-older age group — Ronan will be 20 years old when filming starts this summer. The Hanna actress is also having her moment right now with recent roles in The Host and The Grand Budapest Hotel and Ronan's got three films slated for 2014 and 2015 releases. We can't imagine she'd have trouble killing it in this role, considering her track record.