HBO’s new Harry Potter series is already coming to life, brick by brick. Fresh photos have surfaced online showing the early stages of building some of the saga’s most iconic locations. The construction is happening at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire — the same legendary spot where the original eight films were shot.
What fans will instantly notice is the beginnings of the Great Hall. The pictures, shared by WW_Direct on X (formerly Twitter), reveal a massive wooden arch taking shape. It looks like the familiar entrance where students of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw gather for meals, celebrations, and of course, the famous Sorting Ceremony. Around it, builders seem to be working on decorative panels that might become the tall, stained-glass windows that fill the hall with that magical glow.
The Great Hall set is being built for the HARRY POTTER TV series!
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) July 7, 2025
(via: victoriamaclean) pic.twitter.com/gghgkUERbO
The Great Hall has always been more than just a dining space. It’s where Harry first saw Hogwarts magic come alive, where students faced off in the Dueling Club, and where the unforgettable Yule Ball unfolded. Later, it turned into the backdrop for the Battle of Hogwarts — the final stand against Voldemort’s forces. Recreating these scenes will be no small task, and fans are eager to see how the new series handles them.
Earlier leaks from the set offered other exciting peeks. There’s a huge new build rumored to become Privet Drive — the quiet street where Harry’s story begins. And it doesn’t stop there. There’s also progress on what seems to be Platform 9¾, bustling with Muggles and wizards alike, and even Diagon Alley, where witches and wizards stock up on spell books and cauldrons.
What makes this reboot particularly promising is the team behind it. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on “Succession,” is writing and executive producing. She’s joined by Mark Mylod, who’s also stepping in to direct several episodes. The list of executive producers includes J.K. Rowling herself, along with Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts from Brontë Film and TV, plus David Heyman of Heyday Films — who produced the original movies.
The series is planned as a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s seven books, with each season covering one novel. That means seven seasons of magic, friendships, and darker turns as the story grows. While there was some hope that HBO might reuse parts of the preserved sets from the original movies — now part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — it’s clear they’re building new ones from scratch. And honestly, that’s part of the excitement.
If all goes well, the show is set to hit screens in late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, fans will be keeping a close eye on every new photo from the set. After all, there’s something special about watching Hogwarts rise again — piece by piece, ready to welcome a whole new generation of fans into the wizarding world.
