Art & Culture

5 Facts About Lebanese Actress and New ‘Harry Potter’ Star, Sirine Saba

BYYassine Hariss

September 22, 2026

There’s a new face heading to Hogwarts, and she comes from our neck of the woods. Lebanese actress Sirine Saba has just been confirmed to be joining the cast of HBO’s hotly-anticipated upcoming Harry Potter television series.

Set to take on the role of Professor Pomona Sprout, the school’s Herbology expert and head of Hufflepuff House, Saba is about to make her debut in the Wizarding World on Dec. 25, 2026 when the series premieres.

And while her name might not ring a bell just yet, she is hardly a newcomer to the acting world. With appearances in some of Britain’s most iconic television shows and an extensive theatre career spanning decades, the 51-year-old has steadily built an impressive résumé long before landing on everyone’s radar.

So, before we see any of her magic on our screens, here are five things you should know about her.

She Was Born in Beirut

Saba was born in Beirut on January 1, 1975, making her 51 years old. And for those wondering, she’s a Capricorn.

Her Roots Stretch From Lebanon to Palestine

In previous interviews, Saba has spoken about her Palestinian and Lebanese heritage, though she has shared few details about her family’s Palestinian roots or where exactly they are from.

She Grew Up in Cyprus

Born in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, Saba relocated with her family to Cyprus, where she spent much of her childhood. She later moved to London to pursue acting, eventually graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1998.

Yes, You’ve Probably Seen Her on TV Before

Harry Potter is hardly Saba’s first brush with iconic British fictions. Over the years, she’s appeared in some of the country’s best-known series, including Midsomer Murders, Doctor Who, and even EastEnders.

Before the Screen, There Was the Stage

Long before Harry Potter came calling, Saba was already making a name for herself on stage, playing Regan in King Lear and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare’s Globe. She’s also appeared in several plays telling stories from the Arab world, including Dalia Taha’s Fireworks; Hassan Abdulrazzak’s Baghdad Wedding, and Omar El-Khairy’s The Keepers of Infinite Space.

5 Facts About Lebanese Actress and New ‘Harry Potter’ Star, Sirine Saba

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