JK Rowling has reportedly visited the set of the new HBO adaptation of her Harry Potter book series, with those present likening the experience to a “royal visit.” The best-selling author, 60, who serves as an executive producer on the upcoming series, was at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden on November 19 to check progress on the television version of her beloved fantasy franchise.
Rowling, who has become a contentious figure following controversial comments about the transgender community, previously praised the show in June, writing on X: “I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” She clarified that while she is not writing the episodes, she has worked closely with the writers.
Meanwhile, former Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe revealed he wrote a letter to his successor, 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, who will play Harry. During an appearance on Good Morning America, Radcliffe said he wanted to tell McLaughlin to “have the best time, and an even better time than I did.” McLaughlin sent a sweet note back.
Radcliffe, who was also 11 when first cast, expressed nostalgia upon seeing pictures of the new young cast, saying he just wants to hug them. He led the original eight-film series alongside Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who were 10 and 12 at the start, respectively.
The HBO series, announced in 2023, aims to adapt each of the seven books into a season, creating a “decades-long” television series. Rowling’s involvement as executive producer has sparked both support and calls for boycotts, but she has dismissed such efforts with humour.
