Given its vast budget, it’s no surprise that HBO’s much-anticipated adaptation of the Harry Potter book series will be heading to unlikely places.
And with plans for this adaptation to follow the same time period as depicted in JK Rowling’s original novels, this meant a blast from the past for residents of a Hertfordshire town on Monday, as it was transformed into a 1980s town square.
Hoddesdon, which is based on the River Lea and 20 miles north of London, was given a historic makeover to transport it back to 1981, the setting for the novel’s prologue.
Star Daniel Rigby was also taken back in time as he filmed scenes as the gruff muggle Vernon Dursley.
The businessman, who is acting as his nephew Harry’s guardian when the books begin, is greeted to an unwelcome encounter with a wizard as he’s strolling past the town’s famous clocktower.
For the filming, vintage cars were brought onto the set while extras were seen dressed in outfits akin to the looks which dominated the decade, while pushing vintage Silver Cross prams.
Filming for Harry Potter’s HBO series saw a Hertfordshire town transported back to the 1980s on Tuesday, as star Daniel Rigby filmed scenes as the gruff Vernon Dursley
Vernon was greeted to an unwanted encounter with a wizard as he headed to the work, no doubt setting the stage for Harry’s discovery of his own magical heritage
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.Â
In the scenes, a grumpy Vernon is greeted by a mystical character as he heads into the town, and it’s clear he’s irked by his behaviour, which includes grabbing his nose, before tumbling on to the pavement.
Bel Powley is set to play Harry’s long-suffering aunt Peunia, while Amos Kitson will star as her son Dudley.Â
Filming for the series is well underway, at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, with the highly anticipated series set to land on HBO in 2027.
Following a nationwide casting search, Dominic McLaughlin landed the role of the titular hero Harry Potter.
Arabella Stanton will play Harry’s close friend Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout is set to star as Ron Weasley.
Hoddesdon, which is based on the River Lea and 20 miles north of London, was given a historic makeover to transport it back to 1981
A newsstand also offered a throwback to the headlines that dominated conversation at the time, as royal news and clashes with unions flooded the front pages
One familiar newspaper featuring a splash of a beaming image of Princess Diana following the announcement she was pregnant
Daily Mail’s original splash (pictured) showed Diana heading to lunch at the City Of London Guildhall just hours after Buckingham Palace announced her pregnancy
Vintage cars were brought into Hoddesdon’s town centre to help transport the area into a different decade, including the icon Ford Capri
For the scenes, Daniel sported a sharp grey suit as he headed to the local newstand, with crew members preparing a crash mat in preparation for the unwelcome visitor
During his outing, Vernon was greeted by an unlikely character, who is quick to approach him
The character, dressed in an all-purple outfit and matching cloak was akin to the quirky figures that dominate JK Rowling’s wizarding world
With a flourish of his cloak, the wizard strides towards Vernon, no doubt to his bemusement
It’s clear Vernon is irked by the figure’s behaviour, which includes grabbing his nose, before tumbling on to the pavement
Filming for the series is well underway, at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, with the highly anticipated series set to land on HBO in 2027
This TV series is set to follow a more faithful time period than the books, with much of the first season, based on book The Philosopher’s Stone, taking place in 1992
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
Many vintage cars flooded the streets in the town in a bid to transport it back to the 80s, when the first book’s prologue is set
Harry Potter hit our screens in November 2001 after author J.K Rowling released seven books
The likes of John Lithgow, 79, will play Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer, 64, will be Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu, 35, as Severus Snape and Nick Frost, 53, as Hagrid.Â
Many are desperate to know who has landed the character as Lord Voldemort – who was originally played by Ralph Fiennes, 62, in the franchise between 2005 and 2011.
According to DanielRPK, HBO are looking at both male and female stars to potentially star in the TV series as the iconic character.Â
Harry Potter hit our screens in November 2001 after author J.K Rowling released seven books.
The names include: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.Â
It comes after earlier this month that the TV series confirmed the return of one of the original film stars – with the iconic actor set to reprise his role.Â
British actor Warwick Davis will be returning to the hotly anticipated new series as Professor Filius Flitwick – the passionate, if uptight, teacher of Charms.Â
The announcement was made to mark Back to Hogwarts, the annual September 1 celebration where fans around the globe honour the beloved return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Â
J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues.
The author 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.
‘JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.’
J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues
The author 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
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’
‘JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,’ they added
Back in April, Rowling hit the headlines as she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling that trans women are not legally women
Rowling, who reportedly helped fund the women’s rights campaign group which brought the Supreme Court case, shared a photo online from on board her $150 million superyacht
Daniel Radcliffe , 35, and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 35, and Rupert Grint, 36, have spoken publicly in support of gender ideology
Back in April, Rowling hit the headlines as she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling that trans women are not legally women.
Britain’s top judges unanimously found that the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex, not acquired gender.
The decision was hailed by gender-critical campaigners as a major victory, with the multi-millionaire author saying it would protect ‘the rights of women and girls across the UK’.
Rowling, who reportedly helped fund the women’s rights campaign group which brought the Supreme Court case, shared a photo online from on board her $150 million superyacht puffing a cigar in celebration.
Daniel Radcliffe, 35, and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 35, and Rupert Grint, 36, have spoken publicly in support of gender ideology – that biologically male trans women should be regarded as women.Â
They have each commented in opposition to Rowling’s views on the issue, while expressing their gratitude for her role in their careers.
