Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 17, 2025 · Entertainment

Harry Potter TV Series Set Descends on London Zoo for Iconic Dudley Dursley Scene!

Sneak peek snaps from the set of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series has shown the cast descend on London Zoo for the iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene from the first movie

Harry Potter TV Series: The Magic Begins!

Get ready, witches and wizards! The highly-anticipated Harry Potter TV series has finally started filming, and we've got the scoop on what's happening behind the scenes!

According to thescholarlynote.com, the three lead child stars - Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron) - were announced back in May, and now, fans are thrilled to see them bring the iconic characters to life.

Harry(Dominic McLaughlin) was joined by a grimacing Dudley (Amos Kitson, pictured) and his aunt Petunia (Bel Powley) and grumpy Vernon (Daniel Rigby) in the scenes filmed by the penguin enclosure

The first-ever pictures from the show have been released, giving us a sneak peek into the magical world of Hogwarts. And let's just say, it looks like things are getting real! The snaps show Harry (Dominic McLaughlin) rocking his signature blue hoodie and glasses, as well as grumpy Vernon (Daniel Rigby), Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley), and Dudley (Amos Kitson).

But that's not all - Nick Frost has been spotted on set as Rubeus Hagrid, looking unrecognizable in full costume! The 53-year-old comedian and actor is a perfect fit for the beloved character, who was originally played by Robbie Coltrane.

And speaking of casting news, we've got some juicy updates for you! Johnny Flynn will be playing Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius, while Emmy winner John Lithgow has signed on to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Katherine Parkinson will be taking on the role of Molly Weasley, and Anton Lesser - best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones - will be playing Garrick Ollivander.

Vernon (Daniel Rigby, pictured) was also on set of the first instalment of the TV series

But wait, there's more! The show is said to be costing a whopping £75 million per episode, making it one of the most expensive TV series ever produced. And with the three child leads set to become international stars, they're expected to rake in even bigger fortunes than the original cast!

The show's producers, Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, have praised the "wonderful" talent of the three young stars, who will be leading the series.

Now, about J.K. Rowling's involvement as executive producer... While some fans are divided over her views on transgender issues, HBO has defended her participation, saying that she has a right to express her personal opinions and that her involvement will only benefit the show.

They show the scenes just before Harry sneaks off from his cousin Dudley's birthday party at London Zoo, from the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Rowling herself has taken to thescholarlynote.com to rave about the first two episodes of the series, calling them "SO, SO, SO GOOD!" And we can't help but agree - with this cast and crew, it's going to be a wild ride!

The Harry Potter TV series is set to hit HBO in 2027, giving fans plenty of time to get excited. Stay tuned for more updates, and don't forget to follow thescholarlynote.com for all the latest news and gossip on this magical phenomenon!

In the new snaps, filmed at London Zoo in Regent's Park, Harry - played by Dominic McLaughlin - can be seen rocking a blue hoodie and his iconic circular glasses

The cast also zoomed around in green golf buggies, while members of the public were shocked as they realised who they were (pictured)

The highly anticipated series, which is based on J.K. Rowling 's novels of the same name, was first announced in 2023, and finally confirmed in April this year

And after a long wait, the three lead child stars were announced back in May and now fans will be ecstatic to know that filming has begun

The set, located at London Zoo in Regent's Park, looked very busy as they started to film the iconic scene

The cast all joined forces to get the perfect scene at the penguin enclosure at the tourist attraction

Members of the public watched on as the first instalment of the Harry Potter TV series was filmed

Daniel Rigby (pictured) has taken on the role of Vernon Dursley in the new series

Some of the cast were treated to some ice cream during work