HBO Max’sHarry PotterTV series is moving faster than a broomstick in a Quidditch match, and now that the beloved book-turned-movie series is being adapted once more, the production team behind the reboot is building a temporary school that can house up to 600 pupils for its child actors, so there are no excuses, sadly, for missing homework. AsHarry Potterfans begin the exciting journey of entering a brand-new franchise that has incorporated not only the popular movies, but books and video games, Warner Bros. is starting over with a new series TV reboot, which looks likely to run for at least a decade.
While the series' showrunners still have a few characters' shoes yet to fill, the actors who will playHarry, Ron and Hermione have been confirmed, as well asJohn Lithrow taking on the role of the iconic Dumbledore, who has previously been played by actors Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, as well as Jude Law and Toby Regbo inFantastic Beasts. Paapa Essiedu will slip into the boots of Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost will appear as Rubeus Hagrid, allowing all four actors to be series regulars. The author of the books,J. K. Rowling, is seemingly “fairly involved” with the HBO series' development. However, Rowling has been a controversial figure, which has seen her land in hot water due to her stance on transgender issues, leading many to steer clear in their support ofHarry Potterproducts, including the series.
HBO Is Building Their Own Version of Hogwarts for Child Actors
According to theBBC, the studio behind theHarry PotterTV series is building a new school for its child actors to attend when not filming scenes. The classrooms will be made of portable buildings at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden and overseen by the Three Rivers District Council, with the aim of supplying cast members with a school facility over the next 8 to 10 years. The proposed classrooms have been designed to be used by up to 600 pupils during peak periods, when large crowd scenes are shot, but will typically serve about 150 students. It will be made available during weekdays between 5:30 am and 8:30 pm so young actors can fit in their studies when they aren’t casting spells in the fictional world of Hogwarts.
It is estimated that around 32,000 children auditioned for the lead roles following an open casting call in September, which is an incredible yet unsurprising number. Given the popularity of theHarry Potterfranchise and what it has done to the careers of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the TV reboot is a fantastic jumping-off point for young actors wanting to further their talents in the TV and film industry. Although to some who might feel like theHarry Pottermovies aren’t that old, it has already been 23 years since the very first movie was released in 2001, so a fresh retelling seems like a great idea for the beloved franchise, especially to young audiences of today. However, theson of the original Dumbledore actor, Richard Harris, had previously stated that Warner Bros. should leave the series “alone” due to how great the movies were, and that nothing could top them, but it seems as though the studio has some solid ideas about where to take the series into a new era.
As of now, theHarry Potterreboot doesn’t have a release date, and it might be some time before fans get a look at it. HBO and Max content boss Casey Bloys has estimated an early 2027 premiere window for the show, but also expressed that that timeline could change.
