HBO’s Harry Potter series includes a character from the books that was omitted from the films.

HBO’s upcoming adaptation of the beloved seven-part Harry Potter book series is set to make some notable changes from the films, including the return of a fan-favorite character. Fans can look forward to new actors stepping into iconic roles, as well as a more detailed retelling of the story, thanks to the extended format of eight-episode seasons.

Recent reports indicate that actor Peter Serafinowicz, known for his roles in Shaun of the Dead and The Tick, has joined the cast as Peeves the Poltergeist, a character from the books who was notably absent from the films.

According to the official Harry Potter website, “Peeves enjoyed nothing more than causing chaos in the school corridors. A constant nuisance, no one disliked Peeves more than the school’s caretaker, Argus Filch, who was the one tasked with cleaning up the mess. Whether he was throwing things, blowing raspberries, or writing rude words on the blackboard, there was nothing Peeves liked best than making mischief!”

Peeves was originally intended to appear in the Warner Bros. Harry Potter film series, with the late Rik Mayall cast in the role and scenes filmed for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. However, the character was ultimately cut during post-production, as director Chris Columbus and producer David Heyman were dissatisfied with his design.

Although Peeves didn’t make it into the live-action films, he has appeared in several video game adaptations, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as well as in the Lego Harry Potter games and Hogwarts Legacy.

The new Harry Potter series is set to premiere this Christmas on HBO and will be available for streaming on HBO Max.

The cast features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.

Additional cast members include Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.

The series is set to debut in 2027.