Filming for the “Harry Potter” Series to Begin This Summer in Leavesden

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that the filming of the highly anticipated *Harry Potter* series will start this summer in Leavesden, the same location where the original films were shot.

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared that they auditioned 32,000 children for the lead roles. The casting team is currently reviewing between 500 and 1,000 audition tapes daily with the goal of watching every single one. While no final casting decisions have been made yet, Mylod mentioned that the next step will be a “workshop with some of our shortlisted candidates” in January.

Gardiner and Mylod also emphasized their commitment to maintaining the canonical ages of the characters. Severus Snape, potentially played by Paapa Essiedu, will be in his early 30s, while James and Lily Potter will be portrayed as younger characters, as they were only 21 years old at the time of their deaths.

Gardiner expressed her excitement about “diving deeper into the characters’ storylines” and further exploring the world of Hogwarts, including the lives of its staff—both beloved and intimidating—according to Variety.

Regarding the set design, Mylod noted that they plan to keep the Great Hall largely intact but are eager to expand Hogwarts’ architecture, showcasing how it might have evolved over time.