Filming for HBO’s controversial Harry Potter series was blighted by a small group of trans rights protestors on Tuesday, just days after bosses reportedly increased security on the set.
The big-budget show relocated production to a quiet street in Skipton in Yorkshire, with huge structures erected on a row of residential rooftops for the scenes.
For the nighttime scenes, one actor was seen perched atop a chimney with a wand in his hand, while a crane was used to stretch the camera towards him.
However, in the wake of backlash from the trans community to Harry Potter author JK Rowling, a small number of protestors gathered on the street to interrupt filming.
One brandished a sign that read Say No To Transphobia, and while there is no suggestion that any of the individuals shown have been involved in any wrong-doing, onlookers said the protestors attempted to set off fireworks to disrupt the set.
Last week, it was reported that security on the set had been ramped up over growing concerns that transgender activists were planning to sabotage the new project.
Filming for HBO ‘s controversial Harry Potter series was blighted by a small group of trans rights protestors on Tuesday
The big-budget show relocated production to a quiet street in Skipton in Yorkshire, after filming for the show kicked off earlier this summer
Filming for the new wizarding TV series began earlier this summer, but fears have been sparked after a recent alleged break-in by intruders to the show’s set in Leavesden Studios, Watford, Herefordshire, last week.
The rumoured unlawful entry into the Diagon Alley set came amid growing backlash in the trans community towards Potter author JK Rowling, who has been long outspoken on gender identity and women’s rights.
Rowling has endured a furious backlash after voicing concerns over the dismissal of biological sex in favour of focusing on gender identity to the detriment of women’s rights, but has consistently denied being transphobic.
Just last week, the Edinburgh-based writer mocked lawmakers on the Vancouver Park Board in Canada after they apologised for hosting a ‘transphobic’ Potter-themed event due to her views.
Now, security officials on set are said to be fearing that the fury directed at Ms Rowling could seep its way into planned filming in Yorkshire and Cornwall over the coming months.
Some trans rights supporters are believed to be plotting moves to disrupt productions, allegedly posting online that it would be the perfect ‘protest opportunity’ against Ms Rowling, who is one of the executive producers on the show.
One insider has gone as far as calling it a ‘massive headache’ for bosses at HBO, who are creating the new show which is set to hit screens in 2027.
They told The Sun: ‘This has been a massive headache for the creators and sparked a massive investigation within the studios about the breach in security.
After taking over the sleepy road, huge structures were erected on residential rooftops to film the vast production
For the nighttime scenes, one actor was seen perched atop a chimney with a wand in his hand, while a crane was used to stretch the camera towards him
Last week, it was reported that security on the set had been ramped up over growing concerns that transgender activists were planning to sabotage the new project
The alleged threats have sparked particular concern over the sheer volume of locations the Potter series is set to be filming in
‘Security has now been boosted as a result of what’s happened, but also what is expected to happen at some point due to the discussions taking place online among Trans activists.
‘The series won’t air until 2027 which means it is going to be a very long filming period during which time so much can be disrupted, damaged or leaked.’
The Daily Mail has approached HBO for comment.
The alleged threats have sparked particular concern over the sheer volume of locations the Potter series is set to be filming in.
Earlier this month, one village being constructed for the new show, which will feature John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Rebeus Hagrid, was pictured for the first time in Hertfordshire.
The sets being constructed looked to be a thatched cottage, a road, a sports stand, a greenhouse and a stone outbuilding.
While details are not yet clear, the sports stand could be for scenes involving the fictional sport of Quidditch, while other locations could be the Burrow which is the family home of the Weasleys and Hagrid’s Hut.
The nearby farm area was also snapped having been transformed into the wizarding world, with filming thought to soon be moving there from the current area in Cornwall being used to shoot scenes.
Surrounding villages in have also been transformed into 1980s-like locations, with Hoddesdon in particular given a historic makeover to transport it back to the setting for the novel’s prologue.
During filming, an estate agent window showed the huge rise of inflation that has hit the economy in the past four decades, with houses available to purchase for as little as £25,000.
A newsstand also offered a throwback to the headlines that dominated conversation at the time, with one familiar newspaper featuring a splash of a beaming image of Princess Diana following the announcement she was pregnant.
The splash, which had the publication date of November 1, 1981, showed the late Princess Of Wales stepping out while the report stated she’d received well-wishes from around the world in the wake of her baby news.
