Credit: Warner Bros.The Sun has reported that HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series has been hit with bullying claims, with 12-year-old extras reportedly seen fighting on set and the show’s bosses being forced to intervene.
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Reports of Bullying on the Set of Harry Potter TV Series
According to the report, two 12-year-old extras were seen fighting, with one heard screaming, “I’m going to get you after filming.”
A source told The Sun, “There are a lot of youngsters on set at any one time, and the reality is that not everyone is going to get on.”
The Harry Potter TV series had already cast dozens of actors, including Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley), Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), and Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), before recently adding several more young cast members to the extensive lineup. However, no names have been mentioned in the report.
“It’s an alarming problem, and bosses want to get rid of any bad eggs among the cast and crew,” the source continued, before adding that accusations also involve adults. “Bosses have issued warnings about behaviour. The bullying accusations have involved adults and children.”
“It has been made clear that anyone reported for bullying will be immediately axed — no matter how famous they may be. Filming is going to last eight years and bosses are adamant that any inappropriate behaviour must be nipped in the bud.”
The report also says that bosses have set out anti-bullying policies and emailed workers telling them how to report potential misconduct, and are offering “free online counseling and coaching sessions for all cast and crew and access to wellbeing resources.”
The source added: “The reports of bullying have been treated incredibly seriously” and that “bosses have advised everyone who they should contact if they are victimised.”
According to The Sun, Warner Bros. has declined to comment.
The new series is currently being filmed on a purpose-built set in Leavesden near Watford, the home of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, where the eight films were made.
The project has been at the center of controversy since it was announced, largely due to author J.K. Rowling’s involvement. However, the show’s diverse casting, including Paapa Essiedu, who plays Severus Snape, and most recently, Jazmyn Lewin, who has been cast as Susan Bones, have also come under fire from many fans.
The Harry Potter TV Series
The Harry Potter TV series, which is expected to span seven seasons over 10 years, stars John Lithgow (Albus Dumbledore), Nick Frost (Rubeus Hagrid), Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape), Janet McTeer (Minerva McGonagall), Paul Whitehouse (Argus Filch), Katherine Parkinson (Molly Weasley), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley), Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), and Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter).
Season 1, which is now filming, is due to premiere next year on HBO and HBO Max.
The series is written and executive-produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (HBO’s Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve). J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films are also onboard as executive producers.
Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes. Season 1 is now being filmed and is expected to premiere in 2027.
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