Filming for the much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series has officially begun this week, but the cast and crew are already scratching their heads over one big decision — the filming location.
Instead of sticking close to the classic British settings fans know and love, production has set up on the Île de Sein, a small island off the coast of Brittany, France.
This choice has left some of the British crew a bit bewildered.
Recreating an Iconic Scene Far From Home
The team is reportedly using the island to shoot the famous scene where Hagrid tells Harry, “You’re a wizard, Harry!”
In the original film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this moment happens in the ‘Hut-on-the-Rock,’ a tiny hut where Harry is hidden away by the Dursleys to keep him from receiving Hogwarts letters.
Hagrid famously flies in to find Harry and break the news about his magical heritage.
Traditionally, this hut is described as being off the coast of Cornwall in England, and the original movies were filmed entirely within the UK.
So naturally, many on the British crew found it puzzling that the producers chose a French island for such an iconic, deeply British scene.
British Crew Finds the French Location Surprising
A source told The Sun that many of the British crew members couldn’t help but chuckle at the decision.
They felt that the weather and windswept look the producers wanted could easily have been found anywhere in the British Isles, making the trip to France a bit unnecessary.
“There’s a real sense of bewilderment that for a show so steeped in British culture, the first key scenes are being filmed abroad,” the source said.
“With American producers running the show, some worry it might not treat Harry Potter as the British national treasure it truly is.”
New Faces Take on the Beloved Roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron
After months of speculation, the leads for the new series were officially announced this week.
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton takes on Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will be Ron Weasley.
The author J.K. Rowling gave her stamp of approval for the cast, dismissing earlier criticisms about ‘woke’ reinterpretations of her beloved wizarding world.
J.K. Rowling Supports the New Cast and Responds to Fans
Rowling herself responded warmly to fan messages on social media, expressing her happiness with the casting choices.
When a fan asked her to reassure the new stars that they were already loved by the fandom, Rowling replied, “All three are wonderful. I couldn’t be happier.”
This came as a big relief to fans concerned about how the new series would honor the original books.
Huge Budget and High Hopes for the New Multi-Season Series
The new adaptation will span seven seasons, one for each book in the Harry Potter series.
The production budget is enormous — reportedly around £75 million per episode — making it one of the most expensive TV projects ever.
The young cast is expected to become stars in their own right, with some suggesting they could earn even more than the original film actors did.
Producers Praise Young Talent Behind the Magic
Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod shared their excitement about the cast, calling the trio’s talent “wonderful to behold.”
They thanked the tens of thousands of children who auditioned and praised the incredible pool of young talent discovered during the casting process.
A Look Back at the Harry Potter Phenomenon
J.K. Rowling first introduced Harry Potter to the world in 1997 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The following books were released steadily over the next decade, building a global fanbase that adored the magical world she created.
The original film series starred Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione, and Rupert Grint as Ron.
Their performances spanned ten years, starting with the first film in 2001 and concluding with the last in 2011, cementing the trio as iconic figures in pop culture.