*‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004). Courtesy of Warner Bros.*

Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that its ‘Harry Potter’ TV series is set to begin filming this summer at Leavesden Studios, the same iconic location where the original movies were brought to life.

During a recent presentation at the company's London headquarters, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared exciting updates on the project. They revealed that the casting team has already auditioned an impressive 32,000 young hopefuls for the lead roles and are currently reviewing between 500 and 1,000 audition tapes daily. The team plans to watch every submission before moving forward. While no final casting decisions have been made, Mylod noted that shortlisted candidates will participate in workshops beginning in January.

Gardiner and Mylod emphasized their commitment to portraying the characters at the correct canonical ages. For example, Severus Snape, who may be played by Paapa Essiedu, will appear in his 30s. Meanwhile, James and Lily Potter will be depicted as the young parents they were, both aged just 21 at the time of their deaths. Mylod also expressed his intent to uphold the tradition of casting exceptional British theater actors for the adult roles, while introducing fresh, undiscovered talent for the younger characters.

Spanning a decade, the series aims to delve deeper into character development and explore Hogwarts in greater detail, including the lives of its staff, whether admired or feared. Gardiner expressed her excitement about unpacking the rich narrative layers of the beloved wizarding world. While the creative team does not intend to "undo" the magic of the original films, Mylod said they are focused on evolving the story. For instance, while the iconic Great Hall will remain largely untouched, he hinted at exploring how the architecture of Hogwarts might evolve over time.

The series, greenlit by Max in April 2023, is set to feature an entirely new cast, separate from the beloved film franchise. A casting call for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione was issued in September, emphasizing a commitment to inclusive and diverse casting. Although the actors for the famous trio remain unannounced, reports suggest Mark Rylance is being strongly considered for the role of Albus Dumbledore.

Despite the excitement surrounding the show, it has not been without controversy. J.K. Rowling, the author of the original books, continues to face backlash for her public stance on transgender issues. HBO has defended Rowling's involvement in the series, with a statement affirming her right to express her views and highlighting her creative contributions to the new project. HBO executive Casey Bloys echoed this sentiment during Thursday's event, stating that he is "totally comfortable" with Rowling’s role and is "not concerned" about public reactions.

As the series gears up for production, fans are eager to see how this new chapter in the ‘Harry Potter’ universe unfolds, promising a fresh take on a timeless story while staying true to its magical roots.

MORE NEWS