The wand's in the umbrella. The pub's not quite the Leaky Cauldron. And the boy in round glasses? He's not Radcliffe—but he's got the look.
Filming has officially begun on HBO's ambitious Harry Potter reboot, and the first leaked set photos and video are already stirring up the fandom's cauldron. Dominic McLaughlin steps into the lightning-scarred shoes of Harry Potter, while Nick Frost—yes, Shaun of the Dead's Nick Frost—towers as Hagrid, thanks to a prosthetic-enhanced double that's equal parts clever and creepy.
The scene? A stroll through Central London toward a pub called The Blue Maid. It's likely a stand-in for The Leaky Cauldron, and the vibe is unmistakably 1990s—baggy jeans, layered jackets, and a kind of analog grime that feels right for Rowling's original timeline. The production's commitment to period detail is already winning points, especially among fans who felt the films sometimes sanitized the grit out of the Wizarding World.
A New Kind of Magic: Practical Effects Meet Nostalgia
Let's talk about that prosthetic Hagrid head. It's not just a gimmick—it's a production choice that speaks volumes. Frost handles the close-ups, while a larger double (Anthony Wallyn) carries the wide shots, wearing a hyper-realistic mask that's unsettling in the best way. It's a throwback to the kind of creature work we saw in Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal, and it's refreshing to see HBO lean into tactile weirdness instead of relying solely on CGI.
Casting That Could Actually Work
McLaughlin's Harry is scrappy, awkward, and visibly younger than Radcliffe's version. That's a good thing. Arabella Stanton (Hermione) and Alastair Stout (Ron) round out the new trio, and early footage suggests chemistry that's more raw than polished—again, a win for authenticity.
The adult cast is stacked: John Lithgow as Dumbledore (a bold, theatrical choice), Paapa Essiedu as Snape (finally, some edge), and Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch. The Dursleys are also getting a glow-up—or maybe a grime-up—with Daniel Rigby and Bel Powley bringing a more book-accurate nastiness.
Why This Reboot Might Actually Matter
Chris Columbus, director of the first two Potter films, has voiced support for the series' long-form format, saying it allows for “all the stuff we didn't have an opportunity to do”. That includes scenes like the full Diagon Alley experience, the extended Sorting Hat ceremony, and maybe—just maybe—the ghosts that got cut from the films.
The series is set to premiere in early 2027, with filming continuing through spring 2026. Each book will be adapted into a full season, meaning we're looking at a decade-long journey through Hogwarts, one episode at a time.
5 Big Things We Learned from the Set Photos
Hagrid's Size Matters The use of a prosthetic double for wide shots is a smart workaround that keeps the character's scale intact without losing Frost's performance.
Harry's Look Is Retro Real McLaughlin's wardrobe screams 1990s London—baggy jeans, layered jackets, and a backpack that's seen better days.
The Blue Maid Pub Is Likely the Leaky Cauldron Fans are speculating that this new location is the series' version of the magical gateway to Diagon Alley.
The Cast Is Surprisingly Strong From Lithgow's Dumbledore to Stanton's Hermione, the casting feels deliberate and layered—not just headline bait.
Practical Effects Are Back The prosthetic Hagrid head and on-location shoots suggest a commitment to grounded fantasy, not just digital spectacle.
So what now? We wait. We speculate. We rewatch the original films and wonder what got left out. And maybe—just maybe—we let ourselves believe that this reboot could be the one that finally gets it all right.
