Harry Shum Jr. Cast as Magnus Bane in ‘Shadowhunters’
The High Warlock of Brooklyn has arrived in all of glittery glory! And Shadowhunters has gone out with a bang with its castings of series regulars.
Glee alum Harry Shum Jr. has been cast as Magnus Bane in ABC Family’s adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s best-selling The Mortal Instruments, the network announced on Friday.
Our High Warlock of Brooklyn is described as someone “with eccentric style, he’s fierce, cunning and keeps his cards close to his chest. Though he looks like he’s in his 20s, he’s hundreds of years old – which makes him wiser and wary of others.”
Here’s the press release the network sent out:
ABC FAMILY COMPLETES ITS SERIES REGULAR CAST WITH
HARRY SHUM JR. AS ‘MAGNUS BANE’ FOR THE SAGA SERIES “SHADOWHUNTERS”
Burbank, CA (May 8, 2015) – ABC Family rounds out their cast for “Shadowhunters” with a little magic in the casting of Harry Shum Jr. (“Glee”) as ‘Magnus Bane.’ It was announced today by the network.
Based on the bestselling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, “Shadowhunters” follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters – human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend, Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold.
Magnus Bane is the high warlock of Brooklyn. With eccentric style, he’s fierce, cunning and keeps his cards close to his chest. Though he looks like he’s in his 20s, he’s hundreds of years old – which makes him wiser and wary of others.
“Shadowhunters” is produced by Constantin Film and executive produced by Ed Decter and McG. McG will also direct the first episode. The network has previously announced series regulars Katherine McNamara as ‘Clary Fray,’ Dominic Sherwood as ‘Jace Wayland,’ Alberto Rosende as ‘Simon,’ Emeraude Toubia as ‘Isabelle Lightwood,’ Matthew Daddario as ‘Alec Lightwood’ and Isaiah Mustafa as ‘Luke Garroway.’ Alan Van Sprang was announced earlier today as a recurring guest star in the role of ‘Valentine.’
Earlier today, Alan Van Sprang joined the show as Valentine Morgenstern.
Shadowhunters begins filming on May 25 in Toronto and will premiere in early 2016 on ABC Family.
TMI Source 
I don’t know how I feel about this…except…wait…he’s not Godfrey Gao…
Agree!
I’m not sure. He’s okay but I thought that Godfrey Gao’s better. Let’s just see his acting skills tho. 🙂
Omg this is brilliant casting!!! And he can act!!
He can act. And speak English. That alone is an upgrade, so I’m pleased enough.
I do wish they’d have opted for someone a tad younger though; Shum is 33 after all.
I agree I do like him a bit more than Godfrey since in the movie he was too serious and it didn’t feel like Magnus. I know his 33, but he looks really young so i’m ok with that. I love the cast so far.
hi esme! hihihi…yeah he’s kinda have a baby face (drools) haha! but now our alec is much taller than Magnus..haist, never mind he is my crush from step up movie, well, aside from Moose. and are’nt we lucky to have him as The Magnificent Warlock?! oh darn it! this show is gonna be great!
Are you implying that Godfrey Gao can’t speak English ?
I think this is brilliant casting!
That is amazing
Granted the one from the movie was wayyyyyy more what I picture as Magnus.. BUT I wasn’t a huge fan of his acting.. Like AT ALL.. so I’m pretty confident in Harry Shum, because he’s a decent actor
same here! Godfrey looked really similar to how I’ve pictured Magnus, but I personally didn’t like his acting. I just wish they’d chosen someone a little bit younger
I agree so much too
Oh wow I really like him. Instantly I was like “yeah he has the look of Magnus”. Loving the casting of this show, yet I was so apprehensive about it all but I think given a great script (and no corny lines) it will do great. I for one have moved on from the movie cast, even though I loved them. It didn’t work and we are so lucky to be given a series. I think we should all get behind it and I’m sure we will fall in love with the characters as the first season progresses. I actually am really excited for this.
Finally!!! I watched him glee and I was just saying that he would be a perfect Magnus Bane this afternoon! My wishes were granted, McG you rock!!!! We finally have our cast, WE FINALLY HAVE OUR CAST!!!
Oh hell yeah! He’s got the Magnus look! ❤ So happy right now! 😀 🙂 -fireworks and rainbows and glitter and sparkles and kitties!!-
Wow…just wow. I love the cast so much at this point! They’re all so perfect *cue the massive fangirling session*. Movie Magnus looked more like I imagined, but the whole “no pants” thing kinda ruined that. But I can definitely see him being Magnus. Just a question though, how well can he act?
Also, how well can he pull off sparkly outfits?
Every one in this cast is so beautiful and just like in the books! So excited!
I think this is a great casting choice and I’m glad we have a full cast now, however, am I the only one waiting to see who they cast as Raphael?
Yeah I hope so much Raphael will look an absolute adorable angelic latino cherub, like instant puppy eyes needs to be my reaction.
No, you are not the only one 🙂 I am looking forward to see who is casted for Raphael too ❤
Ohh I’m so excited about Raphael! 🙂
Everyone keeps talking about Raphael and Jocelyn… no one is even mentioning Hodge. This concerns me.
wow! harry was my favorite in step up and yes, he looks gorgeous enough to be Magnus Bane. hey, esme ur right, he really can act and he’s tall. just hope that he can pull off the character well. kudos to the admin!
Love this casting!!!!
I really think he can pull this off. Also with all the sparkly clothes Magus wears, yeah, I really see him in that.
I think he looks perfect! Now I am way to excited for the show *_*
My main concern isn’t his looks or the actors age, my main concern is how much chemistry he’ll portray on screen with Matthew (Alec.)
Wait, he´s 33? He looks like he´s in his early twenties ^^ That kind of matches with his “ageless” appearance.
Also, I really like the description of Magnus. It shows that there are more layers to our Magnus than just the flamboyent partier… Hope Harry can pull that off, but I´m very optimistic with this casting choice 🙂
I agree with everyone who says he looks the part. I’m going to look up his background. It would have been nice to have more photos.
He is really short, he might need platform boots. Otherwise he is awesome.
He’s not short! He’s like 1.80 m!
Exactly, 5’11 is definitely not short.
Well…He’s the only actor from the cast that I knom and I must admit I’m sceptical. But maybe it’s just because of his role in Glee…so, wait and see 😉
best choice so far. always said he would be a brilliant Magnus!
You know what this means? DANCE NUMBERS! OMG, seriously, everything about Magnus Bane would be improved by constant dance numbers!
exactly! Magnus loves party, party, party! hahaha!! just sooo happy 🙂
HE IS PERFECT!!!!!!! Magnus is my favorite character eeevvvveeerr so needless to say I was super nervous about casting. But oh. My. God. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I IMAGINED MAGNUS JUST ADD GLITTER. I know we all loved Godfrey Gao, but honestly I think harry shum is even better. I am super super super happy with this casting this show is going to be awesome:)