November was a bustling month behind the scenes for the Harry Potter HBO series, though much of the magic happened within the confines of Leavesden Studios, keeping a tight lid on early production. However, fans did get a treat when filming moved to a familiar location: Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire.
Ashridge Estate isn't new to the wizarding world; it previously featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the setting for the Quidditch World Cup. This time, confirmed cast members such as Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley), and Lox Pratt (Draco Malfoy) were spotted on location in their Quidditch attire. Adding to the excitement, actors reportedly present included Louise Brealey, who is believed to be portraying Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Rory Wilmot, reportedly playing Neville Longbottom. These sightings offer an intriguing look at how these iconic scenes are being brought to life for the new series.
Beyond the set, there's also news regarding new faces joining the cast. We've learned that Kim Durham (Wicked, Silent Witness) and Joel Montague (Girlfriends) have reportedly been cast in undisclosed roles. It's always thrilling to see new talent step into the wizarding world, and we're eager to find out who they'll be playing.
Meanwhile, a heartwarming connection between the old guard and the new has emerged. Original Harry Potter actor, Daniel Radcliffe, shared that he wrote a letter to Dominic McLaughlin, who is now taking on the role. In an appearance on Good Morning America, Radcliffe said, “I don’t want to be a specter in the life of these children but I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time,’” He continued, “And I do, I just see these pictures of him and the other kids, and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, ‘Oh, it’s crazy I was doing that at that age.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet and I hope they’re having a great time.”
McLaughlin, for his part, was clearly thrilled by the gesture. In an interview on BBC’s “Saturday Mash-Up! Live,” he responded, “It was insane. My Dad tapped me on the train and just gave me this letter. I read it, and then I got to the bottom, and it said, ‘Dan R.’ I was going mad, but I had to [keep cool]. I was on the train.”
Rupert Grint, the beloved original Ron Weasley, also extended his well wishes to Alastair Stout. “I wrote him a letter before they started, passing the baton as it were,” Grint revealed. “It was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience… It’s quite strange to have the cycle happening again. I’m really intrigued what it’s going to be like.”
Filming for the first season of the Harry Potter series is expected to continue until mid-2026, with an early 2027 release window officially confirmed for HBO. This series promises to be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s original seven books, exploring storylines in greater depth than the films, and we can't wait to see more.