logo
Harry Potter fans brand Emma Watson replacement 'perfect' after clip resurfaces

Harry Potter fans brand Emma Watson replacement 'perfect' after clip resurfaces

Daily Mirror29-05-2025
Arabella Stanton will take over from Emma Watson in the TV adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books, with a resurfaced clip showing her in action
Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to play the new Hermione Granger resurfaced.
Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Joining them will be John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, respectively.

Meanwhile, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will portray Squib caretaker Argus Filch.
While some viewers have already threatened to shun the new series due to Rowling's anti-trans views, others are eagerly awaiting further details.
Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's impressive acting career has been thrust into the spotlight.

The star portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day.
The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage down the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage.

Fans are in a frenzy over Arabella's casting in a new role. A clip of her performance has gone viral, currently boasting over 33,000 views.
Admirers are unanimous in their praise, calling her portrayal of Hermione "perfect".
One remarked, "From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione. "

Another enthused: "So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect."
"I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," chimed in another fan.

A fourth contributed: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor."
"SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," declared another supporter.
One person added: "Cryingggg I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect."

The up-and-coming actress also made waves starring in the 2024 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, where she played Control.
Last year, Arabella paid homage to her performance as Matilda on an Instagram account run by her parents, recalling: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final)."
Expressing her gratitude, she added: "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!"
The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Predicting Universal Studios Bedford zones: what IPs could the theme park adopt?
Predicting Universal Studios Bedford zones: what IPs could the theme park adopt?

Scotsman

time32 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Predicting Universal Studios Bedford zones: what IPs could the theme park adopt?

What distinctly British franchises could end up being constructed at Universal Studios Bedford? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... What British franchises could comprise the various zones at Universal Studios Bedford? With a promise of the park showcasing some of the biggest IPs created in the United Kingdom, there would be a directive to adopt some of the country's biggest pop culture offerings. But one huge UK IP will not be featuring at the park - so what do we think will take its place when the park opens in 2031? The speculation continues to mount about what fans of Universal Studios properties can expect to see once Universal Studios Bedford opens, projected for 2031. While we've taken a look at some of the more popular rides and attractions available at the numerous theme parks across the rest of the world, Bedford's site appears to have an unusual caveat before it opens: an interest in keeping things distinctly British. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There has been consistent reporting from the media that the theme park operators are looking to pick up several British franchises to develop for zones at the Bedford site, with even politicians citing the park showcasing some of the best that Britain has to offer to the global fabric of popular culture. But what of those British franchises could we see? A Fawlty Towers log flume? A Question Time Stunt Spectacular? Perhaps not. But we've taken a look across social media, the World Wide Web, and even tried to put two and two together when it comes to franchises Universal has previously been involved in to give our best guesses (or wishes) what zones/areas could feature when Universal Studios Bedford opens. But we do know at least one British franchise that won't be making an appearance when the theme park opens. Why won't there be any Harry Potter-themed areas at Universal Studios Bedford? Despite the immense global popularity of the Wizarding World and its foundational British origins, Universal Studios Bedford is currently not planning to feature Harry Potter-themed areas due to "watertight exclusivity contracts" held by Warner Bros, according to the BBC. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This means that while Universal operates highly successful Wizarding World lands in its parks worldwide under license from Warner Bros., the specific rights for theme park experiences within the United Kingdom are retained by Warner Bros.. The existence of the immensely popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, located less than an hour's drive from the Bedford site, further solidifies this exclusion, as Warner Bros. would likely seek to avoid direct competition with its own established and successful attraction. While future expansion could theoretically reconsider other brands, initial plans for Universal Studios Great Britain will focus on other major British IPs. What zones could appear at Universal Studios Bedford? Could these distinctively British franchises be incorporated into dedicated zones or areas at Universal Studios Bedford when it opens? | Getty Images/Universal Project UK MI6 Headquarters (James Bond) One of three IPs that have been strongly reported as being developed for the theme park, including from the BBC, James Bond looks to be a key property that Universal Studios Bedford would like to embrace. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rumours suggest that the area could include a major stunt show inspired by the exploits of 007, akin to The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios Florida, and could be the centrepiece of a James Bond-themed area. The MI6 setting provides a perfect backdrop for a land focused on spy missions, gadgetry, and thrilling escapes. The sleek, international, and often glamorous world of James Bond can inspire sophisticated dining, exclusive retail, and stylish architectural designs. Bond is a quintessential British icon, making him a perfect fit for Universal's first European park and for showcasing "great British creations', and it's not too far removed from the realms of possibility. Universal previously held international distribution rights for Bond films, so negotiations could help owing a pre-existing relationship with the rights holders (Eon Productions, now under Amazon/MGM). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Middle-earth (The Lord of the Rings) Another strong rumour that veers towards near confirmation – multiple news outlets, including the BBC, have cited that sources close to the new theme park have asserted that a Lord of the Rings area will appear and that 'contracts have been signed,' though there remains no official word from the park itself. For their part, when quizzed about specific areas, Universal suggests it is 'too early to know' the featured attractions. But there is no smoke without fire: J.R.R. Tolkien was British, and his works are a cornerstone of British literature, which fits Universal Studios Bedford's operating model. It also makes for an ideal choice for a Universal park in the UK, owing to the complex issues surrounding Harry Potter and the theme park. Universal's prior success with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter demonstrates their expertise in bringing complex, beloved fantasy sagas to life, an act they could dedicate to the rich lore and diverse environments of Middle-earth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paddington's London Another strongly suggested rumour verging on 'confirmation' – when Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned the park showcasing 'British icons like James Bond, Paddington Bear, and Harry Potter,' concept art on show for the new park further supports the idea. Those with a keen eye might have seen the concept art 'hinting' at a giant jar in a play area; what kind of jar was it? A marmalade jar… Unlike some other IPs, the issue with who owns the rights to Paddington is quite favourable for Universal. StudioCanal (a subsidiary of Vivendi, which also owns Universal Music Group) acquired full ownership of the Paddington Bear brand worldwide in 2016, including television, merchandising, live entertainment, video games, and theme park rights. This existing corporate connection, with StudioCanal part of Vivendi and Universal Music Group also under the Vivendi/Comcast umbrella, could very much simplify licensing negotiations for Universal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Doctor Who zone A property so British that when parodied by US television shows, they're still rolling out the caricature of Tom Baker. If Universal Studios Bedford aims to remain "quintessentially British," is there anything more quintessential than the Time Lord? Universal did have a co-production role with the BBC and Fox for the 1996 Doctor Who television film. This shows a historical, albeit brief and indirect, connection to the IP. While there's fan speculation and past internal interest from Universal creative personnel in Doctor Who for theme park attractions, nothing concrete has come of it directly from Universal. The primary hurdle, however, lies with the complex partnership and licensing agreement for the franchise. Though the BBC owns the IP for Doctor Who, the broadcaster signed a multi-year, global distribution deal with Disney+ for new Doctor Who content (outside the UK and Ireland). While Disney+ is primarily a distributor, such a large financial and strategic partnership often comes with implicit or explicit understandings regarding how the IP can be leveraged in other entertainment forms, including theme parks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is a strong deterrent for Disney to allow a direct competitor like Universal to feature the IP in a major way, and some fan discussions even raise the possibility of Doctor Who potentially appearing in Disney parks themselves. However, it is worth noting that Doctor Who was previously slated to be part of the now-stalled "London Resort" project in Kent (a completely separate initiative from Universal), which does show that the BBC has, in the past, been willing to license the IP for large-scale theme park development in the UK. Super Nintendo World So perhaps it might be more of a formality than speculation, given the success of the Super Nintendo World's at international resorts – but if there is a sense of keeping things British, perhaps the speculation should be 'how' Super Nintendo World keeps things uniquely Anglophilic. Perhaps a Mario Kart London circuit, reskinned from the popular Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, could be that distinctly British feel, driving up and down the M1 or racing through Nintendo's vision of Trafalgar Square. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What about adapting an attraction involving Donkey Kong scaling Big Ben, the Tower of London, or The O2? Even the Yoshi's Adventure ride, known for its scenic views, could incorporate elements reminiscent of famous British gardens or stately home grounds, with Yoshi characters searching for royal golden eggs hidden amongst digital topiary or rose bushes. By adding these British flourishes into the universally beloved Super Nintendo World, Universal could create an experience that feels both familiar to fans globally and uniquely special to its UK location, driving repeat visits and local pride.

Harry Potter fans just realising what Aunt Petunia is doing in kitchen scene
Harry Potter fans just realising what Aunt Petunia is doing in kitchen scene

Daily Mirror

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Harry Potter fans just realising what Aunt Petunia is doing in kitchen scene

Harry Potter fans are only just realising a hidden detail from the first movie involving Aunt Petunia, which only people who have read the book might understand It has been almost 24 years since the first film in the Harry Potter franchise was released, and fans are loving them just as much now as they did then, with many patiently awaiting the upcoming TV adaptation. ‌ The films were based on JK Rowling's book series of the same name, and follow 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter as he finds out he's a wizard and starts attending the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, The film series features a swathe of famous British and Irish actors - including Fiona Shaw playing Harry's not-so-nice aunt Petunia Dursley, whom he lives with alongside his uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley, played by Richard Griffiths and Harry Melling respectively. Of course, Daniel Radcliffe plays the titular role. ‌ While the Dursleys only make brief appearances in some of the films, they're a crucial part of the storyline as Harry has lived with them since the day his parents died when he was just one year old. But as with any book-to-film adaptation, it'd be impossible to include all the important details from the books that shows the true relationship between Harry and the Dursleys. ‌ Today (July 31) is Harry Potter's birthday, according to the book and films - and fans discussing the franchise have only just spotted a detail in the first movie that only people who've read the book will understand. In the beginning of the film - when Harry receives his first acceptance letter from Hogwarts - he carries the letter into the kitchen where Petunia can be seen standing in the background, wearing an apron as she stirs something in a large pot on the stove. Taking to Reddit, one user pointed out this small detail and said that it shows something that's only every mentioned in the book. ‌ "In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone, Aunt Petunia is visible in the background of this scene dyeing Dudley's old clothes grey for Harry's uniform. This is only ever mentioned in the book," the Reddit user wrote as the shared a photo from the film scene. In the book, it is explained that all of Harry's clothes are hand-me-downs from his cousin Dudley. And as Harry is due to start a muggle school at the start of the new school year, Petunia dyes some of Dudley's old school uniform items. ‌ Meanwhile, Dudley was preparing to start his new independent school, Smeltings Academy, which his father also attended. He is seen wearing the maroon uniform in the same scene as he sits at the kitchen table with Vernon. Several people were amazed at learning this fact, as they took to the comments to share their bafflement that they hadn't noticed this before. "i saw this as a kid and thought she was making soup out of leather," one person admitted. "The amount of times I have seen this movie is crazy, and I've read the book once, absolutely loved it, and yet I didn't even notice this. That's actually really cool!! Just wish they kept Peeves in the film!" a second person wrote. However, a third person said: "In a deleted scene/a different cut of the film Harry asks her about the clothes." Another person asked why Petunia would do this, to which another person explained: "Because the Dursleys are pieces of shit to Harry and they'd rather send him to muggle high school with old dyed clothes instead of just buying him a uniform."

Inside secret party animal lifestyle of Harry Potter billionaire JK Rowling – as fearless women's champion turns 60
Inside secret party animal lifestyle of Harry Potter billionaire JK Rowling – as fearless women's champion turns 60

Scottish Sun

time13 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Inside secret party animal lifestyle of Harry Potter billionaire JK Rowling – as fearless women's champion turns 60

Rowling has become one of Britain's most outspoken and controversial celebrities SHE is Britain's most ­successful living author – worth close to £1billion and the mastermind of the global Harry Potter franchise worth 20 times that amount. As JK Rowling turns 60 today, you could hardly blame friends of the reclusive writer for wondering what on Earth to get the woman who truly has everything. Advertisement 6 Harry Potter author JK Rowling turns 60 today Credit: twitter/jkrowling 6 Rowling's first Harry Potter novel was rejected by 12 major publishers Credit: Rex Features 6 Rowling with her ­second husband Dr Neil Murray Credit: Getty She did, after all, recently turn down a damehood (for the second time), telling friends: 'I don't want a title.' What is certain, though, is that Ms Rowling — once a penniless single mum whose first Harry Potter novel was rejected by 12 major publishers — has never been one to sit back quietly and enjoy watching her vast fortune accumulate. Today there is much to celebrate for the author, who has even out-sold Shakespeare. Indeed, much like Prof Dumbledore, ageing is something she ­cherishes — recently blasting her ­fervent political opponents when she declared: 'I hate to disappoint, but you don't turn me into a quivering heap of anguish by telling me I am, or look, old. Advertisement 'I've lost too many people too young to feel anything but celebratory about still being around in my ­sixtieth year and, if you're lucky, you'll feel that way one day, too.' Despite guarding her home life fiercely, sharing it with her ­second husband Dr Neil Murray and their three children in a turreted 17th- century manor outside her native Edinburgh, those close enough to know her simply as 'Jo' describe her as 'incredibly good company, generous and a live wire when she wants to be', who 'will celebrate 60 in style'. As one source adds: 'She's a secret party animal when she's in the mood — but she's happiest with close friends, away from the spotlight.' Rowling regularly throws lavish but highly secretive parties at her ­Scottish estate — most recently on New Year's Eve where her Hogmanay bash resembled a major festival, according to locals, who told of fireworks, fairground rides and live music. Advertisement Reports at the time claimed celebrity guests including U2, The Pretenders and Daniel Craig may have been among the revellers. And she has hosted lavish parties for other birthdays — often with a fancy-dress theme — including her 50th, which invited celeb pals to dress as 'your own private nightmare'. JK Rowling hails BBC host for refusing to say 'pregnant people' live on air But insiders say her favourite spot to unwind with pals and celebrate is critically lauded West London eatery The River Café, run by colourful American chef Ruth Rogers. There she has been known to host raucous female-only lunches attended by a close-knit circle of feminist activists who have become her most trusted confidantes in recent years. Advertisement Attendees have revealed that in a respectful nod to friends — many of whom are highly accomplished but leagues away in terms of wealth — she quietly picks up the bill, often including specially selected vintage champagne, without discussion. As one source explains: 'It could be awkward sitting with a billionaire, worrying about keeping up, but Jo really looks after her friends. 'Nobody ever feels inferior. "She takes care of things, picks great wine or champagne — that's her favourite — and when it comes to settling the bill you find she has already sorted it out. Advertisement 'She's brilliant company, funny — outrageous sometimes — and doesn't shy away from saying, 'Let's stay for another one'. 'Her birthday will be no different — she's looking forward to celebrating with the people she loves.' 'BRUTAL BACKLASH' Rowling also has a superyacht. Well, a billionaire has to have some toys at her disposal. Advertisement But while the writer is revered in some quarters and hailed as an advocate for women, she has also become one of Britain's most outspoken and, at times, controversial celebrities. Despite rarely giving interviews, her unfiltered approach to social media, particularly when discussing gender rights issues, has made her a hero to many — but a demonised pariah in other quarters, including A-list names who have publicly decried her views. It all started with a tweet in 2020, where she mocked the phrase ­'people who menstruate,' and drew a clear distinction between bio- logical women and transgender people who identify as female. The backlash was instant — and brutal. Advertisement Accusations of transphobia flew. Activists called for boycotts of her books, and the celeb world she had made her own began to take sides. But far from apologise, she ­published a long and deeply ­personal essay defending her stance, revealing her own experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, and insisting she had the right — and duty — to speak up for women. What followed was a full-scale culture war — one in which Rowling, far from backing down, planted her flag and dug in. Advertisement She was labelled a TERF, vilified online, dropped from events and shouted down by campaigners. 6 Rowling with Harry Potter stars Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe Credit: Getty 6 Rowling promoting Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore in 2022 Credit: Getty Most famously, her unflinching views have placed her at odds with the young stars of the Potter films who she helped propel to global superstardom — including Daniel Radcliffe, who released a statement in response to her views — though he later admitted he was 'really sad' about their disagreement. Advertisement Daniel's fellow Potter star Emma Watson followed — prompting ­Rowling to admit she would not ­forgive the pair, who she said had 'used their platform to cheer on the transitioning of minors'. And singer Ed Sheeran raced to shoot down reports he had attended one of the writer's parties, calling the claims 'divisive and damaging' in a bid to distance himself from her views. But she remains steadfast in her activism, demanding that 'safe spaces' for biological women should be closed off to transgender women, and insisting 'no child is born in the 'wrong body',' prompting clashes with campaigners which have even sparked calls for her to be arrested. There is no denying, though, that the backlash appears to have reduced the frequency of her public appearances amid fears she could become the target of more abuse and even violence. Advertisement As one insider explains: 'Jo is hugely proud of her stance and never backs down — but she doesn't want to put herself in danger either. 'She is careful about where she goes, what events she attends, and how she travels to and from them. 'She knows the possibility of aggression is very real. You do not want to cross an angry Jo Rowling insider "She also has a team of lawyers on hand, watching everything. Advertisement "You do not want to cross an angry Jo.' But the controversies have failed to make a significant dent in her fortune, which has been further supplemented by a detective series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, plus a Broadway and London stage show spin-off of the wizarding world on which she built her career. Theme park franchises, video games and other merchandise helped make her the first author to reach billionaire status, though she has given away substantial sums — notably many millions to multiple sclerosis causes in memory of her late mother, alongside Women's Aid and children's welfare charities. But most significant is a big-budget reboot of the Harry Potter franchise, which began filming this month with a new cast of young actors, reimagining the books for a television series produced and ­financed by US TV giant HBO. Advertisement Scheduled for release in early 2027, it promises to bring the story of Hogwarts to a new generation of fans and will inevitably bring a vast new cash injection to her coffers. Indeed, she couldn't resist a jibe after news of the reported £100million deal sent her critics into a fit of fury — trolling her detractors with a post on X/Twitter, reminding them that the cheques 'still have my name on'. 6 One of Rowling's tweets last year hitting out at Scottish 'trans hate' law coming into effect Credit: Twitter/JK Rowling While she is undeniably divisive, JK's literary achievement remains a global juggernaut — and one which even Daniel Radcliffe admits has proven a force for good to millions of children. Advertisement She changed the world of publishing, and reignited a love of reading for a generation of kids more ­usually drawn to video games, and turned a boarding school fantasy into a ­multi-billion-pound universe that defined a generation. Her stories taught children about courage, loss, loyalty and the power of words. She also made being a bookworm something to be proud of, with ­millions of young fans proudly dressing up as her characters ­annually for World Book Day. Perhaps that's the perfect birthday gift for the woman who has everything — whatever her detractors may say. Advertisement Friend to many and A hero to millions By Julie Bindel, activist and friend of JK Rowling FIRST, she brings magic to millions upon millions of children, then she sets up charities to alleviate child poverty and suffering in countries most people in the West do not concern themselves with. Then she sees that women – and some men – are being pilloried, maligned, sacked from their jobs and expelled from college courses for saying that men (including predatory, convicted child rapists) should not be allowed in female-only spaces and facilities. Next, she becomes involved in opposing the men's rights movement known as gender ideology. Never, ever bigoted against transgender people or anyone wishing to live differently from the norm, her eye is only on keeping women and children safe from rape, domestic violence, stalking and harassment. When trans activists and their allies wilfully misconstrue her words, Jo writes an essay, made public on her website, in which she reveals herself to be a survivor of sexual assault and domestic abuse, and explains that this is why she understands the need to condemn these acts and keep women and girls safe. Jo is the best friend imaginable, and her unwavering support and concern for the suffering of others will never be made public. The 'be kind' brigade are shouting into the abyss about one of the kindest human beings I have ever met. When women have been forced to defend legal cases of terrible discrimination against them simply for knowing the difference between a man claiming to be a woman and an actual woman, my friend JK set up a fund to finance them. Unlike the vast majority of heterosexuals, she has gone out of her way to support lesbians. So happy birthday, Jo! Women like you – who make the world a better, safer place for women and girls, and for gays and lesbians – come along once in a lifetime. Thank goodness you did. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store