In a significant move for one of television's most anticipated projects, Ripley Parker, the 24-year-old daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker, has secured a coveted position within the writers' room for HBO's multi-million-pound Harry Potter reboot.
A High-Profile Appointment for a New Generation
Ripley Parker, who has kept quiet about landing the role, joins the high-profile television production with just two professional writing credits to her name. She is reported to be the youngest of several writers enlisted by showrunner Francesca Gardiner for the ambitious, decade-long adaptation. The series began filming in July and remains on track for a 2027 premiere.
She will work alongside an experienced roster of writers including Andy Greenwald, Laura Neal, Martha Hillier, and Sam Holcroft. The team is operating under the guidance of Gardiner and director Mark Mylod to craft the new iteration of J.K. Rowling's famous novels.
Family Connections and Rising Career
The appointment highlights the influence of family connections in the entertainment industry. Not only are Ripley's parents established figures—her mother starred in Westworld and Crash, while her father directed Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again—but her godfather is Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original film franchise.
Her sister, Nico Parker, 20, is also forging a successful acting career with roles in Dumbo and The Last of Us. Despite her limited professional experience, Ripley created the Netflix series Everything Now in 2023, a semi-autobiographical teen drama inspired by her experiences with disordered eating, which was praised for its candid writing. She is also adapting Sarah Underwood’s fantasy novel Lies We Sing to the Sea for film.
The Expansive Wizarding World Production
The HBO reboot is deep into its production schedule across the UK and Europe. Filming has been spotted at numerous locations, including:
- London Zoo
- King’s Cross station
- Borough High Street
- Cornwall
- The Ile de Sein in Brittany
The series has assembled a substantial ensemble cast, with Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton leading as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They are joined by John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. Warwick Davis has returned as Filius Flitwick.
In a notable royal visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were confirmed to have toured the Hogsmeade Station set in Windsor Great Park in September. Author J.K. Rowling is working closely with the writing team and has offered positive assessments of the early scripts, aiming for a faithful, long-form retelling.
Writing for the second season has already commenced, even as filming for the first season continues into 2026, signalling a long-term commitment to bringing the wizarding world back to screens.
