‘Harry Potter’ Series To Begin Shooting Over The Summer At Leavesden

HBO has confirmed when the new Harry Potter series will start shooting.

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and EP Mark Mylod made a surprise appearance at the Max Showcase in London this evening to reveal that the big-budget retelling of JK Rowling’s novels will film at Leavesden this summer.

Alongside HBO boss Casey Bloys, Gardiner spoke for the first time about some of her early thoughts on the “very very specifically British 1990s production,” as described by Bloys.

Gardiner, who said she had “devoured” the books as a 14-year-old, revealed that a whopping 32,000 young actors auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron.

With other characters, they will stick to the “canonical” ages, which means Snape, who is rumored to be played by Paapa Essiedu, will only be 31 and the Dursleys will be much younger than they were in the movies.

Gardiner described the books as having a “bigger sandpit to play in” than the movies.

Other insights into her retelling included more activity from the Hogwarts staff room and “having fun with [poltergeist] Peeves in the corridor.” Check out our profile of Gardiner over here.

Mylod said he will “dig into the depths and crevices of Hogwarts.”