HBO’s remake of Harry Potter has begun production, and months into filming season 1, there have already been some confirmed, notable changes. The Harry Potter TV show began shooting this past Summer, though unfortunately, the planned premiere date for the fantasy YA series is 2026. The show was initially planned for a 2025 release, but the packed schedule, including two Game of Thrones prequels and the DCU’s Lanterns, might leave limited space for speculative fiction franchise series.
Given the disturbing controversy regarding Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, the HBO remake will already be under heavy fire from a significant portion of what might have been its fan base. Despite this, there’s still a sizable pool of viewers who love the books and the films for what they are and will be willing to give the series a chance. The primary measure will be seeing how HBO’s production creates something that’s both fresh and faithful, treading the thin line of comfort and originality that all remakes strive for.
Dumbledore Trudges Along the Shore & Meets With Nicolas Flamel
Adapting a very brief book into a full season of HBO television is a challenge, and one of the ways in which HBO is meeting its duration is by adding more scenes centered around the professors. Behind-the-scenes photos spread around the internet of actor John Lithgow suited up as Albus Dumbledore, which was met with applause as he fulfilled the ideal, picturesque version of the renowned wizard. However, the images raised immediate questions, as no scene in The Sorcerer’s (or Philosopher’s, if you will) Stone depicts anything like this.
Fans on the internet have theorized about what this could mean, suspecting that it might have something to do with Lithgow’s other revealed scenes, where he meets with Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, which is only briefly mentioned by Dumbledore in the books. That said, the locations look different, as does Dumbledore’s attire. Another possibility is that the HBO Harry Potter series is filming scenes for future seasons ahead of time, given that it’s already been greenlit for its entire planned run.
‘Harry Potter’ Has a Scene Set on Halloween Night
The biggest change yet isn’t entirely confirmed, but there’s plenty of context from behind-the-scenes photos to suggest a massive, tone-setting addition to the series. First, it’s worth noting what is confirmed, which is that the Harry Potter TV series was seen filming a scene set on Halloween, with costumed trick-or-treaters flooding the streets in a suburban neighborhood, with old-fashioned cars in the background.
Halloween night bears a significant meaning to Harry Potter fans, as October 31, 1981, is the night when Lord Voldemort arrived in Godric’s Hollow to kill Lily and James Potter. This is another scene that’s only mentioned in the books and shown in flashbacks in the films, so displaying it in its entirety would be a dark shift in tone for the series. The scene has the potential to be pure horror, if it’s actually what they were filming. That said, it’s hard to think of anything else it could be.
Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy Have Been Cast
Though both Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy are mentioned or referred to in the first book, neither character actually appears until the second installment. Fans of the Harry Potter movies will remember Jason Isaacs’ portrayal of the Malfoy patriarch, where his role as the antagonist in Dobby’s story made him a primary antagonist in the second film. He became an integral franchise mainstay afterward, making it bizarre to realize he wasn’t there the entire time. Likewise, Cornelius Fudge played a prominent role before being replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour as Minister of Magic.
Sherlock and Doctor Who actor Bertie Carvel joined HBO’s remake cast as Cornelius Fudge, while Lucius Malfoy will be played by Johnny Flynn (Emma, Ripley). These characters may only have brief appearances in season 1, providing some context and planting long-term seeds. Given the Harry Potter story at large, it’s not a crime to sprinkle these characters in early, establishing the relationships and power dynamics within the Wizarding World.
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
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Mark Mylod
- Writers
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Francesca Gardiner