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The Harry Potter reboot is finally in motion, and for all the controversy surrounding its announcement, HBO’s approach appears simple: do what the films didn’t.
Filming began this week on Season 1 of the upcoming seven-season series, with early set photos offering a clear sense of direction. From character design to casting choices, the series is making good on its promise of a more faithful adaptation—and it’s already reintroducing details long cut from the screen.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Piers Polkiss and the Return of the Overlooked
New behind-the-scenes photos taken at London Zoo—where Harry first discovers his magical ability to speak Parseltongue—confirm that several minor characters are making their screen debut. Alongside a new trio of Dursleys, the images revealed Mickey McAnulty as Piers Polkiss, Dudley’s schoolyard sidekick.
Dudley Dursley with his friend Piers Polkiss at the London ZooFilming for the HARRY POTTER TV series lasted a day yesterday in the penguin enclosure and reptile house
Dudley Dursley with his friend Piers Polkiss at the London Zoo
Filming for the HARRY POTTER TV series lasted a day yesterday in the penguin enclosure and reptile house pic.twitter.com/FZwNewJ0wJ
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) July 17, 2025
Polkiss was left out of the original films entirely, despite his role in emphasizing just how isolated and mistreated Harry was before discovering Hogwarts. That Warner Bros. is choosing to cast and film with characters like Piers suggests this reboot isn’t just repackaging the movies—it’s rethinking the adaptation from the ground up.
Leading the cast is Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron. Other major roles include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. The reboot is set in the 1990s, a detail the original films largely skipped, despite the books being rooted in that time period.
A Deeper Dive Into the Wizarding World
The presence of Polkiss could be a signal of more to come. The original films condensed Rowling’s sprawling series, trimming characters like Ludo Bagman, Winky the house-elf, and Andromeda Tonks. Entire plotlines tied to Voldemort’s family—the Gaunts—never made it to the screen. Even Charlie Weasley, Ron’s older brother, was referenced but never shown.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Whether these cut characters will reappear remains unconfirmed, but including someone as peripheral as Piers hints at a shift in strategy. Instead of streamlining, the HBO series seems committed to building the world out, not down.
One major question still lingers: Who will play Voldemort? Warner Bros. has yet to confirm the actor taking over from Ralph Fiennes, and according to reports, they plan to keep the casting under wraps until the character’s on-screen debut. Online speculation has included everyone from James McAvoy to Cillian Murphy, but nothing has been made official.
Filming will continue through May 2026, with work on Season 2 expected to follow soon after. In the meantime, the studio is likely to keep details close to the chest—though for longtime fans, the early signs point to a version of Harry Potter that finally gives the books room to breathe.
What are you most excited to see in the Harry Potter reboot?
