HBO's Harry Potter series transports Hoddesdon to the 1980s as Vernon Dursley scenes are filmed

HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series moved from studio sets to the streets of Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire this week as Daniel Rigby filmed scenes as Vernon Dursley in a gray suit. The town, perched on the River Lea about 20 miles north of London, was temporarily redesigned to resemble 1981, the year that opens J.K. Rowling's books. Production crews rolled in vintage cars and dressed extras in decade-appropriate outfits to recreate the period when the prologue unfolds.

In the footage, Rigby is seen walking past Hoddesdon's clocktower, where a cloaked figure approaches and a headstrong Dursley reacts with his characteristic gruff irritation. The sequence appears to set the stage for Harry Potter's eventual discovery of his magical heritage. The production has leaned into period details, including an estate agent window advertising steep inflation, and a newsstand displaying a November 1, 1981 edition featuring a beaming image of Princess Diana following the announcement of her pregnancy. Vintage cars, including a Ford Capri, populate the streets, while extras push Silver Cross prams to complete the era’s feel.

The series is being produced by Warner Bros. Television and filmed at Leavesden Studios outside London. Dominic McLaughlin has been cast as Harry Potter, with Bel Powley portraying Aunt Petunia and Amos Kitson as Dudley. Arabella Stanton is set to play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will appear as Ron Weasley. Producers say the show will strive for a more faithful time frame than the books, with much of the first season rooted in the early 1990s rather than the late 1990s. British actor Warwick Davis is returning to the universe as Professor Filius Flitwick, confirming a blend of familiar faces and new talent on the project. HBO has slated the series for a 2027 premiere.

JK Rowling serves as executive producer on the project. While she did not write the episodes, she has said she worked closely with the writers on the scripts, and HBO has defended her involvement, saying her input will benefit the storytelling while allowing her to express her views in a personal capacity. The network emphasized that the focus remains on delivering a version of the Potter universe that centers on friendship, resilience and acceptance. The production has conducted a nationwide casting search to fill key roles and assemble a generation of performers who will carry the world forward for a new audience.

Filming continues at Leavesden as crews build out sets and refine the look of Hoddesdon’s 1981 streets in preparation for a broader arc that covers the early chapters of Rowling's world. While HBO has not released additional details beyond the 2027 launch window, industry watchers are watching closely to see how the adaptation balances fidelity to the source material with a modern television sensibility. The project signals HBO's continued commitment to expanding the Potter universe, even as fan conversations extend to questions about creative direction, casting, and how the series will handle the timeline across the books.