17-07-2025
First pics from set of Harry Potter TV series see cast descend on London Zoo for iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene
The first snaps from the set of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series see the cast descend on London Zoo for the iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene from the first book and movie.
The highly-anticipated series, which is based on J.K. Rowling 's novels of the same name, was first announced in 2023, and finally confirmed in April this year.
And after a long wait, the three lead child stars were announced back in May and now fans will be ecstatic to know that filming has begun.
The first ever pictures from the show - set to hit our screens in 2027 on HBO - have been released.
They show the scenes just before Harry sneaks off from his cousin Dudley's birthday party at London Zoo, from the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
The youngster finds out that he's got magical powers after helping a Burmese Python escape from the enclosure that it is living in.
They show the scenes just before Harry sneaks off from his cousin Dudley's birthday party at London Zoo, from the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In the new snaps, filmed at London Zoo in Regent's Park, Harry - played by Dominic McLaughlin - can be seen rocking a blue hoodie and his iconic circular glasses.
He was joined by a grimacing Dudley (Amos Kitson) and his aunt Petunia (Bel Powley) and grumpy Vernon (Daniel Rigby) in the scenes filmed by the penguin enclosure.
The cast also zoomed around in green golf buggies, while members of the public were shocked as they realised who they were.
Earlier this week filming of Harry Potter 's TV series continued as bosses released a first look of Nick Frost in the role as Rubeus Hagrid.
Dominic McLaughlin has bagged the role of Harry Potter, with a snap on Monday showing the young actor completely transformed into the wizard.
Holding a clapper board on set, Dominic was seen beaming as he looked strikingly like a young Daniel Radcliffe when he first stepped into the role all the way back in 2001.
Now, comedian and actor Nick Frost looks unrecognisable as posed in full costume as beloved character Hagrid.
And after a long wait, the three lead child stars were announced back in May and now fans will be ecstatic to know that filming has begun
Sporting a thick long beard and locks, the 53-year-old looked just like the grounds keeper from the original movie franchise.
Robbie Coltrane, who died in 2022 at the age of 72, played the character in all eight of the original movies.
Nick was forced to switch off his Instagram comments when news of his casting was announced after he was trolled by trans activists.
Distancing himself from Rowling's trans views, Nick told the Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine. They just don't align in any way, shape of form.'
Playing Harry's best friends are Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Filming has started in the UK, at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, with the highly-anticipated series set to land on HBO in 2027.
Meanwhile, additional cast members have also been revealed, with Rory Wilmot set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser - best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones - as Garrick Ollivander.
It comes as Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby were announced the Mr and Mrs Dursley earlier this summer.
The TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series was first confirmed in April by the show's producers as they unveiled the new lead stars
They now revealed additional cast as Rory Wilmot is set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
The series is a reboot of J.K. Rowling 's seven-book series and is a full-scale, decade-long adaptation that promises to stick far more closely to the original storylines than the blockbuster films
BAFTA-winning actor Daniel Rigby, 42, will play her husband Vernon Dursley, previously played by the late Richard Griffiths
English actress Bel Powel has reportedly signed up to play Petunia Dursley in the TV adaption after shooting to fame in 2015
Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie
Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer (left) will take over from the late Maggie Smith (right) as Professor McGonagall in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation
John Lithgow (left) was been picked to play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore, a role originally played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films
British actor-comedian Nick Frost will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane
Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman.
Actor and comedian Nick Frost will play legendary Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in the adaption.
Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie.
Emmy winner John Lithgow has also signed on the dotted line to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
It was also revealed that Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny's mum Molly Weasley.
The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars.
Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod previously praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three young stars who will lead the series.
Rowling released the first Harry Potter novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the following year.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in 1999, followed by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2000.
Three years later Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix was published and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2005.
The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released in 2007.
J.K. Rowling's involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues.
The author, 59, who created the fantasy novels on which the show is based, previously took to X to rave about the first two episodes after confirming that while she did not pen them herself, she did work closely with the writers.
She said: 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!'.
Meanwhile, HBO previously defended Rowling's involvement in a statement, saying: 'We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.
