Latest news with #BelPowley
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
First pics from set of Harry Potter TV series see cast descend on London Zoo for iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene
The first snaps from the set of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series see the cast descend on London Zoo for the iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene from the first book and movie. The highly-anticipated series, which is based on J.K. Rowling 's novels of the same name, was first announced in 2023, and finally confirmed in April this year. And after a long wait, the three lead child stars were announced back in May and now fans will be ecstatic to know that filming has begun. The first ever pictures from the show - set to hit our screens in 2027 on HBO - have been released. They show the scenes just before Harry sneaks off from his cousin Dudley's birthday party at London Zoo, from the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The youngster finds out that he's got magical powers after helping a Burmese Python escape from the enclosure that it is living in. They show the scenes just before Harry sneaks off from his cousin Dudley's birthday party at London Zoo, from the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone In the new snaps, filmed at London Zoo in Regent's Park, Harry - played by Dominic McLaughlin - can be seen rocking a blue hoodie and his iconic circular glasses. He was joined by a grimacing Dudley (Amos Kitson) and his aunt Petunia (Bel Powley) and grumpy Vernon (Daniel Rigby) in the scenes filmed by the penguin enclosure. The cast also zoomed around in green golf buggies, while members of the public were shocked as they realised who they were. Earlier this week filming of Harry Potter 's TV series continued as bosses released a first look of Nick Frost in the role as Rubeus Hagrid. Dominic McLaughlin has bagged the role of Harry Potter, with a snap on Monday showing the young actor completely transformed into the wizard. Holding a clapper board on set, Dominic was seen beaming as he looked strikingly like a young Daniel Radcliffe when he first stepped into the role all the way back in 2001. Now, comedian and actor Nick Frost looks unrecognisable as posed in full costume as beloved character Hagrid. And after a long wait, the three lead child stars were announced back in May and now fans will be ecstatic to know that filming has begun Sporting a thick long beard and locks, the 53-year-old looked just like the grounds keeper from the original movie franchise. Robbie Coltrane, who died in 2022 at the age of 72, played the character in all eight of the original movies. Nick was forced to switch off his Instagram comments when news of his casting was announced after he was trolled by trans activists. Distancing himself from Rowling's trans views, Nick told the Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine. They just don't align in any way, shape of form.' Playing Harry's best friends are Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Filming has started in the UK, at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, with the highly-anticipated series set to land on HBO in 2027. Meanwhile, additional cast members have also been revealed, with Rory Wilmot set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser - best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones - as Garrick Ollivander. It comes as Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby were announced the Mr and Mrs Dursley earlier this summer. The TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series was first confirmed in April by the show's producers as they unveiled the new lead stars They now revealed additional cast as Rory Wilmot is set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander The series is a reboot of J.K. Rowling 's seven-book series and is a full-scale, decade-long adaptation that promises to stick far more closely to the original storylines than the blockbuster films BAFTA-winning actor Daniel Rigby, 42, will play her husband Vernon Dursley, previously played by the late Richard Griffiths English actress Bel Powel has reportedly signed up to play Petunia Dursley in the TV adaption after shooting to fame in 2015 Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer (left) will take over from the late Maggie Smith (right) as Professor McGonagall in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation John Lithgow (left) was been picked to play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore, a role originally played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films British actor-comedian Nick Frost will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman. Actor and comedian Nick Frost will play legendary Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in the adaption. Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie. Emmy winner John Lithgow has also signed on the dotted line to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. It was also revealed that Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny's mum Molly Weasley. The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod previously praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three young stars who will lead the series. Rowling released the first Harry Potter novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the following year. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in 1999, followed by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2000. Three years later Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix was published and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2005. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released in 2007. J.K. Rowling's involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues. The author, 59, who created the fantasy novels on which the show is based, 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. She said: 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!'. 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.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warner Bros. Discovery Split: What Will Happen to the Movie Studios, HBO Max, Cable Networks and Other Businesses?
Warner Bros. Discovery, as it telegraphed six months ago, is breaking itself into two chunks. One company will be 'WBD Streaming & Studios,' encompassing Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, Max/HBO Max and more. The other will be 'WBD Global Networks,' home to CNN, TNT, TBS and more, largely comprising linear TV businesses that have suffered declines in revenue and profitability. The split, according to WBD chief David Zaslav, will give each company 'sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today's evolving media landscape' — including potential M&A options. More from Variety 'Harry Potter' HBO Series Casts Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby as Petunia and Vernon Dursley (EXCLUSIVE) Warner Bros. Discovery to Split Into Two Companies Warner Bros. Discovery Lost $11.5 Billion in 2024. So How Did CEO David Zaslav Exceed His Bonus Targets? The separation is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Zaslav will head the streaming and studios company, with the yet-to-be-named TV company led by Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery. The majority of WBD's debt, which stood at about $34 billion of net debt at the end of the first quarter of 2025, will be assigned to the TV networks spin-off, execs said. Here's a breakdown of what each entity would look like following the split. WBD Streaming & Studios Max global streaming service, available in 77 markets (soon to be rebranded back to HBO Max worldwide) HBO linear channels TNT Sports International (U.K. and Ireland) Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group (WBMPG), comprising Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation DC Studios and DC Comics Publishing Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG), comprising Warner Bros. Television (live-action scripted programming), Warner Bros. Unscripted Television (Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, Telepictures, Warner Bros. International Television Production, and Shed Media), Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe Warner Bros. Games Tours, retail and experiences including consumer products and brand licensing Studio production facilities in Burbank and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England WBD Global Networks U.S. general and lifestyle entertainment networks including TNT, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, OWN, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim CNN, including CNN International and CNN's forthcoming subscription streaming service Discovery+ streaming service TNT Sports U.S. including rights with MLB, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, NHL, United States Soccer Federation, Unrivaled, Nascar, Roland-Garros, NCAA Big 12 Football and Men's Basketball, and NCAA Big East Men's and Women's Basketball Bleacher Report (B/R) and House of Highlights (under TNT Sports) Golf Digest (under TNT Sports) Here's a slide WBD presented to investors about what the new companies will look like post-split: Pictured above: David Corenswet in James Gunn's 'Superman,' set to hit theaters July 11, 2025 Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Geek Tyrant
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
HBO's HARRY POTTER Series Casts Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as the Dreaded Dursleys — GeekTyrant
The Dursleys have been cast in the new live-aciton Harry Potter series and they're bringing their signature brand of magical denial and emotional repression. Variety reports that Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have been cast as Petunia and Vernon Dursley in HBO's Harry Potter series, offering a fresh take on one of the wizarding world's most dysfunctional Muggle households. Fans of the franchise know the Dursleys all too well: Petunia is Harry's bitter aunt and the estranged sister of his late mother, Lily. Vernon, her equally unpleasant husband, is the kind of man who prides himself on his normality and has an allergic reaction to anything that might seem remotely unusual, including magic. Together, they raise Harry in a cupboard and treat him more like a stray dog than a child. In the original film adaptations, Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths played the roles with a delicious mix of comedy and cruelty. Bel Powley is best known for roles in The Diary of a Teenage Girl , White Boy Rick , and Apple TV+'s The Morning Show . Her TV work has recently included Masters of the Air and A Small Light . Daniel Rigby, who nabbed a BAFTA TV Award for Eric and Ernie , will tackle the gruff and huffy Vernon. His recent work includes Renegade Nell , and Tom Jones , and he's also set to appear in Amazon's upcoming Blade Runner 2099 . Still to be cast is Dudley, their overindulged son and professional pudding-eater. This news follows previous casting reveals, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron. The ever-growing ensemble also features John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Filch. HBO promises a 'faithful adaptation' of J.K. Rowling's beloved novels. According to the official logline, the series will be 'exploring every corner of the wizarding world,' with each season delivering the full Harry Potter story to 'new and existing audiences.' Francesca Gardiner ( Succession, His Dark Materials ) is writing and executive producing the series, and will also serve as showrunner. Director Mark Mylod ( Game of Thrones, The Menu ) will helm several episodes and executive produce.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast
THREE award-winning Brit actors have been announced for the new Harry Potter TV show. From HBO, the upcoming series will adapt JK Rowling 's novels for a new generation. 7 7 7 7 Several new cast members have now been officially confirmed to join the Wizarding World. Among them is Katherine Parkinson, who will be portraying beloved Weasley matriarch, Molly. The actress, 47, is a BAFTA winner for her role as Jen in hit sitcom The IT Crowd. Viewers may have more recently seen Katherine as Lizzie Vereker in raunchy Disney+ series Rivals. Fellow BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby, 42, is set to play Harry's Muggle uncle Vernon Dursley, He won a BAFTA for playing Eric Morecambe in 2011 BBC film Eric and Ernie. Also joining the cast is Bel Powley in the role of Harry's biological aunt, Petunia Dursley. Her past credits include a main role on The Morning Show, opposite Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Lox Pratt, star of the BBC's upcoming Lord of the Flies, will be playing Harry's school rival Draco Malfoy. Meanwhile, actor Johnny Flynn, 42, will take on the role of Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. He has played real-life figures such as David Bowie and a young Nicholas Winton. Johnny also worked with predecessor Jason Isaacs in 2021 film Operation Mincemeat. Three of Harry's classmates have also been cast - Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. Rounding out these announcements is Dalgleish actor Bertie Carvel, 47, in the role of Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Last month, the three screen newcomers playing Harry, Ron and Hermione were officially unveiled. Dominic McLaughlin is set to star as Harry, with Alastair Stout as Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. Harry Potter author JK, 59 - who will also serve as executive producer of the TV series - had her say on the young trio. Writing on social media after the news broke, she said: 'All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' Several major adult roles were already confirmed, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore. How to spot a rare Harry Potter book AS JK Rowling's popularity has rocketed, so has the value of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. If you think you might have one, then first look to see if Bloomsbury is listed as the publisher on the title page at the bottom. The copy should be a first edition - which will be noted within the first few pages. The latest date listed in the copyright information must by 1997. It should be credited to "Joanne Rowling" and not "J.K Rowling" and carry a print line that reads " 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on the copyright page. There is a mistake on page 53 where '1 wand' appears twice in the list of school supplies Harry receives from Hogwarts, which was corrected in later print runs. For the other titles in the Harry Potter series, it is only the first hardback editions with the dust jacket that have any collectable value. The show will also feature Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Luke Thallon as Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Filch. Speaking at the time, showrunner Francesca Gardiner said: "We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch." Mark Mylod, who will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO, added: 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.' The series is also executive produced by JK Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. 7 7 7
BreakingNews.ie
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Katherine Parkinson joins cast for new Harry Potter TV series
Actress Katherine Parkinson has joined the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series. The IT Crowd star will join the HBO TV show of the popular fantasy novel series to play Molly Weasley, the mother of Ron Weasley. Advertisement Parkinson also starred in the hit Disney+ series Rivals, for which she received a supporting actress Bafta TV nomination for her role as Lizzie Vereker. Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy (Ian West/PA) Joining the cast alongside Parkinson is actor and musician Johnny Flynn, who is best known for playing Mr Knightley in the 2020 film Emma. The 42-year-old will portray antagonist Lucius Malfoy, while The Diary Of A Teenage Girl star Bel Powley will play Petunia Dursley, the aunt of Harry Potter who takes him in and forces him to live under the stairs following his parents' death. Each season of the show will be a faithful adaptation of the Harry Potter books, from author and executive producer JK Rowling. Advertisement This follows from the popular film adaptations that starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as the protagonists. Actor and comedian Daniel Rigby will also join the cast to play Petunia's husband, Vernon Dursley, while The Crown's Bertie Carvel will portray Cornelius Fudge. School bully Draco Malfoy, who was played in the films by Tom Felton, who is set to reprise the role in the Harry Potter And The Cursed Child play on Broadway, will be portrayed by Lox Pratt. Hogwarts students will include newcomers Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. Advertisement The young stars cast to play Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were announced recently. Paapa Essiedu (Ian West/PA) Dominic McLaughlin will take the part of Harry, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione and Alastair Stout is cast as Ron. British actor Paapa Essiedu and US star John Lithgow were also confirmed as Professor Severus Snape and Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore, respectively. The cast also includes Welsh comedian and actor Paul Whitehouse as the magic-less Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch and Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost as the friendly groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid. Advertisement Production will begin at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in summer 2025.
