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HBO’s Harry Potter show will start filming next summer, and expansions from the books could be afoot

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HBO's Harry Potter show will start filming next summer, and expansions from the books could be afoot

As a diehard Harry Potter fan since the books first graced my hands back in 1997, I can confidently say that the upcoming HBO series has me both excited and apprehensive. The prospect of diving deeper into this magical world on a television screen is tantalizing, but the shadow cast by J.K. Rowling’s controversial views looms large.

Recently, a group of journalists were given exclusive previews of upcoming shows set to air on HBO, such as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and the second season of “The Last of Us.” Additionally, executives at HBO announced that their highly anticipated “Harry Potter” TV series will begin filming in the summer of 2025, with a projected release date sometime between late 2026 and 2027.

It’s clear that the upcoming “Harry Potter” series is significant for the network. The works of J.K. Rowling continue to be cherished, and the films are considered timeless classics. As reported by Variety, a staggering 32,000 children auditioned for the lead roles, presumably including characters like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley – the trio who form friendships while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The casting team is said to be sifting through around 500 to 1,000 audition tapes daily. While this may seem overwhelming, if they don’t get these roles right, there won’t be a show, so they’re taking the necessary steps.

Mark Mylod, set to direct multiple episodes for the series, confirmed that they haven’t yet finalized any casting choices. However, rumors suggest that HBO has extended offers to experienced actors who might portray some legendary Hogwarts faculty members, such as Mark Rylance as Headmaster Dumbledore and Paapa Essiedu as Potions Master Severus Snape. Concerning the adult characters, Mylod aims to emulate the Harry Potter films by casting renowned British stage actors. The children will be fresh faces in the cast, and they plan to audition some potential candidates in January.

Will HBO’s new Harry Potter show go beyond the books?

The Harry Potter phenomenon continues to captivate many, ensuring high anticipation for this upcoming series. However, one common critique directed at the series is its perceived redundancy. Given that the movies were released not too long ago and meticulously adapted all eight books, some wonder why another TV show is necessary if it’s going to replicate the same content.

Although the films were quite true to the books, they didn’t cover every detail. Producers hinted that the upcoming series will delve deeper into the subject matter. At a recent press event, showrunner Francesca Gardiner suggested that the series might delve even deeper; she expressed enthusiasm about “exploring the complex character development.” According to Variety, this could involve examining “the lives of the staff, both admired and feared.

It’s unclear, but it seems they might be considering creating additional stories or scenarios involving characters like Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Trelawny, and other Hogwarts staff members. Could we possibly see Hagrid participating in speed dating? Might we discover that Professors Flitwick and Sprout had a secret love story?

Based on Variety’s report, it seems like that’s the vibe I’m picking up. To be honest, I’m not certain how I’d react if the show were to both draw from more of the books and extend them. Mylod mentioned that their goal with the show isn’t to undo what was already done so well in the movies, but rather to develop it further. However, we won’t truly understand his intentions until later on.

Will se see Lily and James Potter die in the new Harry Potter show?

Another point worth noting is Gardiner and Mylod’s apparent commitment to adhering to the canonical age ranges for the characters. This means Snape, for instance, will be portrayed as being in his 30s. In contrast, James and Lily Potter will likely appear younger, given they were approximately 21 years old when they tragically met their end at the hands of the Dark Lord Voldemort, an incident which significantly shaped the series’ narrative, even though Harry was yet a baby at that time.

Even though the event isn’t directly shown in the initial Harry Potter book or movie, it is only hinted at. If Gardiner and Mylod are discussing casting 21-year-old actors for James and Lily, could they be planning to incorporate this event into the first season of the TV series? While I’m merely guessing, that’s the idea that popped into my mind.

It might be that they are solely discussing the selection of James and Lily Potter for the initial season to make an appearance in the Mirror of Erised – a magical mirror Harry encounters during his freshman year at Hogwarts. In the movies, Adrian Rawlins and Geraldine Somerville portrayed James and Lily Potter respectively. They were aged 40s and 30s in the first film, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

HBO remains committed to working with J.K. Rowling

Hanging over all of this is the specter of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has become best known in recent years for her obsessive, virulent transphobia. For longtime Potter fans, it’s been insane to watch Rowling, once considered a champion for liberal views, peddle in incrasingly alarmist stereotypes about trans people disproven with a glance at the research or just by talking totrans people about their experiences. She’s publicly feuded with cast members from the Harry Potter movies, divided fan communities and even engaged in some light Holocaust denial. The issue has consumed her public persona, withVariety noting that over a two-month period she tweeted about trans issues 200 times (excluding replies) and aboutHarry Potter eight times. It’s. Been. Nuts.

Despite being the author of “Harry Potter” and holding ownership rights to the series, she plays a role in the upcoming TV show. HBO has opted to acknowledge her participation rather than minimize it. During this event, executive Casey Bloys confirmed their decision, expressing that he’s “completely comfortable” with J.K. Rowling’s involvement and not worried about audience reactions.

He’s probably right about consumers not caring one way or another about Rowling’s involvement; a lot of the backlash against her has been online, and sometimes it’s helpful to remember that most folk don’t follow online debates. That said, Rowling has ratcheted up her transphobic rhetoric considerably over the years, so I’m not counting out the possibility that she’ll do something unexpected and attention-grabbing before the show arrives. It’s one of many bridges this series will have to cross.

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2024-12-06 21:41

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