While Harry Potter fans are speculating about who will play the young wizards in the upcoming HBO series, something truly grand is happening in the UK. Warner Bros. studio is officially investing over one billion dollars in the construction of a full-fledged "mini-city" for filming the new television adaptation of the story about the boy who lived.
Yes, you heard that right — not just soundstages, but an entire Muggle metropolis on the grounds of the Leavesden studio in Hertfordshire. Where there were once only sets, there will now be real streets, multi-level parking structures, hangars, animal facilities, and even a school for young actors. All for the sake of atmosphere and maximum immersion.
The cupboard under the stairs is getting fancier
According to leaks, even the Dursleys’ house on Privet Drive is getting an upgrade — no longer a modest English home, but something closer to a faux-Tudor style. Possibly to allow for the right shooting angles without waiting for 'perfect lighting'. Or maybe simply because this series is promised to look different — more mature, modern, and grander than the films, writes Collider.
The set will also include everything needed for animals — owls, frogs, cats, and of course, spiders, which occasionally appear on screen. And the actors haven't been forgotten either — the creators promise medical centres and rest areas for the massive production crew.
What about the cast and when to watch
Among the already announced actors are John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall. But the names of Harry, Ron, and Hermione are still under wraps — not because they haven’t been chosen, but because the selection was tough: more than 32,000 children auditioned.
The series is scheduled to premiere in 2026. Until then, all that’s left is to rewatch the old films and keep an eye on the news — the magic is coming back, and it’s coming back big.
