Excitement is brewing at the historic Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, where filming for the new HBO Harry Potter series kicked off this week.
Fans got their first glimpse of the much-anticipated Quidditch scenes as the cast brought the wizarding world back to life on the same grounds used for the 2005 movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Dominic McLaughlin Takes Flight as Harry
Dominic McLaughlin, stepping into the role of the iconic Harry Potter, was spotted sweeping across the estate in his signature billowing cloak.
Alongside him, Louise Brealey debuted as Madam Rolanda Hooch, taking over from Zoë Wanamaker from the film series.
The scene also featured Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, capturing Harry’s first thrilling broomstick chase after Draco, who had just pinched Neville’s Remembrall—a magical glass ball that turns red when its owner forgets something.
A Nod to the Past
The Ashridge Estate isn’t just a picturesque filming location—it’s a place steeped in cinematic history.
Back in 2005, it doubled as the site of the Quidditch World Cup in The Goblet of Fire.
While some rumors suggested that a 400-year-old beech tree there was the famous Whomping Willow, the National Trust clarifies that it wasn’t.
However, the estate did see Cedric Diggory make his memorable jump from a gnarled old tree in the Frithsden Beeches area—a tree that sadly split in two in 2014, though visitors can still see its remains.
From Royalty to Reel Life
The estate has a storied past beyond the wizarding world.
Henry VIII claimed Ashridge during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, turning it into a royal residence.
Over the years, it has played host to many productions, including Maleficent, Sleepy Hollow, The Dirty Dozen, Jonathan Creek, Plotlands, and The Crown.
Now, it welcomes a new generation of Potter fans, eager to see their favorite stories brought to life.
Building the Wizarding World
Earlier this month, a miniature village set for the series was revealed in Hertfordshire.
The structures included a thatched cottage, a greenhouse, a stone outbuilding, a road, and even a sports stand—likely intended for Quidditch sequences.
Fans can also expect familiar locations like the Burrow, home to the Weasley family, and Hagrid’s hut to appear on screen.
Nearby farmland has been transformed to mirror the wizarding world, with scenes soon moving from Cornwall to this new magical hub.
Surrounding villages, particularly Hoddesdon, have also undergone a 1980s makeover, perfectly setting the stage for the novel’s prologue.
A Time Capsule of the 1980s
Filming has gone to great lengths to capture the era.
Estate agent windows show houses priced around £25,000, reflecting the economic climate of the time.
Newsstands display iconic headlines, including a famous November 1, 1981, newspaper celebrating Princess Diana’s pregnancy—a playful and authentic nod to the past woven into the set design.
Star-Studded Cast Joins the Journey
Joining Dominic McLaughlin are veteran actors John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, promising a stellar ensemble.
HBO has committed to a sweeping adaptation, set to follow JK Rowling’s beloved storylines, with the series slated for release in 2027 and running up to 2037.