Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 23, 2025 · Entertainment

HBO's Harry Potter Series Rewinds Hertfordshire to the '80s with Daniel Rigby!

Filming for Harry Potter's HBO series saw a Hertfordshire town transported back to the 1980s on Tuesday, as star Daniel Rigby filmed scenes as the gruff Vernon Dursley

SHOCKING EXCLUSIVE: Harry Potter Reboot Sparks Controversy as Author JK Rowling's Transphobic Views Come Under Fire

The highly anticipated HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter book series has finally begun filming, but it seems like the magic may be wearing off for some fans. As the production team brings the wizarding world to life in a new and exciting way, controversy is brewing behind the scenes.

According to sources close to the production, HBO has confirmed that Daniel Radcliffe's iconic role as Harry Potter will be revisited by Dominic McLaughlin, while Bel Powley will play the long-suffering Aunt Petunia. But amidst all the excitement, one major question remains: who will bring the Dark Lord Voldemort to life on screen?

Vernon was greeted to an unwanted encounter with a wizard as he headed to the work, no doubt setting the stage for Harry's discovery of his own magical heritage

SHOCKING CASTING CHOICES AND CONTROVERSY OVER TRANS ISSUE

In a bizarre move, HBO is reportedly considering both male and female stars for the role of Voldemort, leaving fans speculating about the direction they'll take. Sources close to the production say that Ralph Fiennes' iconic portrayal will not be replicated in this new series.

Meanwhile, the cast list continues to grow, with Paapa Essiedu set to play the sinister Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Hagrid. But it's clear that some fans are still reeling from the news of Warwick Davis's return as Professor Filius Flitwick - a move that has sparked both excitement and outrage.

Hoddesdon, which is based on the River Lea and 20 miles north of London, was given a historic makeover to transport it back to 1981

J.K. ROWLING'S CONTROVERSY RAGES ON

As reported by thescholarlynote.com, J.K. Rowling's recent comments on transgender issues have left fans divided, with some praising her unwavering dedication to the cause of women's rights. However, many others have condemned her views as transphobic and outdated.

The author, who was recently spotted celebrating a Supreme Court ruling that deemed trans women are not legally women, has sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Her involvement in the series has been met with criticism from fans who feel she is trying to impose her personal views on the show.

A newsstand also offered a throwback to the headlines that dominated conversation at the time, as royal news and clashes with unions flooded the front pages

HBO DEFENDS ROWLING'S INVOLVEMENT

In a statement released earlier this month, HBO defended Rowling's role as executive producer, stating that they "will remain focused on the development of the new series." However, it seems clear that not everyone is happy about her involvement.

"JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views," the statement read. "We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance."

One familiar newspaper featuring a splash of a beaming image of Princess Diana following the announcement she was pregnant

A TOWN TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME

But despite the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling's involvement, it seems like the production team is determined to bring the wizarding world to life in a new and exciting way.

This week, filming took place in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, where the town was transformed into a 1980s town square for the prologue of the first book. Extras were dressed in outfits reminiscent of the decade, while vintage cars and prams added to the nostalgic feel.

Daily Mail's original splash (pictured) showed Diana heading to lunch at the City Of London Guildhall just hours after Buckingham Palace announced her pregnancy

DANIEL RIGBY TAKES ON THE ROLE OF VERNON DURSLEY

Daniel Rigby, who plays Vernon Dursley in the new series, was spotted filming scenes as the gruff but lovable guardian of Harry Potter. According to sources close to the production, Rigby's performance is "absolutely hilarious" and will bring a much-needed comedic relief to the show.

As for the role of Lord Voldemort, it seems like HBO is taking its time in casting the iconic character. But with a talented cast already assembled, fans are eager to see how this new series will bring the beloved characters to life.

Vintage cars were brought into Hoddesdon's town centre to help transport the area into a different decade, including the icon Ford Capri

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE HARRY POTTER REBOOT?

The highly anticipated HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series is set to premiere in 2027, but it seems like there's still a lot to be revealed. As filming continues and casting announcements are made, fans can't help but wonder what secrets the production team has up their sleeve.

One thing is for sure: this new series will bring a fresh take on the beloved wizarding world, with controversy and drama following hot on its heels. Stay tuned, Muggles, as we dive deeper into the magical world of Harry Potter.

For the scenes, Daniel sported a sharp grey suit as he headed to the local newstand, with crew members preparing a crash mat in preparation for the unwelcome visitor

During his outing, Vernon was greeted by an unlikely character, who is quick to approach him

The character, dressed in an all-purple outfit and matching cloak was akin to the quirky figures that dominate JK Rowling's wizarding world

With a flourish of his cloak, the wizard strides towards Vernon, no doubt to his bemusement

It's clear Vernon is irked by the figure's behaviour, which includes grabbing his nose, before tumbling on to the pavement

Filming for the series is well underway, at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, with the highly anticipated series set to land on HBO in 2027

This TV series is set to follow a more faithful time period than the books, with much of the first season, based on book The Philosopher's Stone, taking place in 1992

An estate agent window showed the huge rise of inflation that has hit the economy in the past four decades, with houses available to purchase for as little as £25,000

Many vintage cars flooded the streets in the town in a bid to transport it back to the 80s, when the first book's prologue is set

Harry Potter hit our screens in November 2001 after author J.K Rowling released seven books

J.K. Rowling's involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues

The author previously took to X to rave about the first two episodes after confirming that while she did not pen them herself, she did work closely with the writers

Meanwhile, HBO previously defended Rowling's involvement in a statement, saying: 'We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter ¿ the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance'

'JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,' they added

Back in April, Rowling hit the headlines as she celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling that trans women are not legally women

Rowling, who reportedly helped fund the women's rights campaign group which brought the Supreme Court case, shared a photo online from on board her $150 million superyacht

Daniel Radcliffe , 35, and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 35, and Rupert Grint, 36, have spoken publicly in support of gender ideology