Security on the new Harry Potter set has been ramped up over growing concerns that transgender activists are planning to sabotage the new project, according to reports.
Filming for the new wizarding TV series began earlier this summer, but fears have been sparked after a recent alleged break-in by intruders to the show’s set in Leavesden Studios, Watford, Herefordshire, last week.
The rumoured unlawful entry into the Diagon Alley set came amid growing backlash in the trans community towards Potter author JK Rowling, who has been long outspoken on gender identity and women’s rights.
Ms Rowling has endured a furious backlash after voicing concerns over the dismissal of biological sex in favour of focusing on gender identity to the detriment of women’s rights, but has consistently denied being transphobic.
Just last week, the Edinburgh-based writer mocked lawmakers on the Vancouver Park Board in Canada after they apologised for hosting a ‘transphobic’ Potter-themed event due to her views.
Now, security officials on set are said to be fearing that the fury directed at Ms Rowling could seep its way into planned filming in Yorkshire and Cornwall over the coming months.
Some trans rights supporters are believed to be plotting moves to disrupt productions, allegedly posting online that it would be the perfect ‘protest opportunity’ against Ms Rowling, who is one of the executive producers on the show.
One insider has gone as far as calling it a ‘massive headache’ for bosses at HBO, who are creating the new show which is set to hit screens in 2027.
The new Harry Potter series, which will feature Dominic McLaughlin (above) as the protagonist wizard, could face filming disruption
McLaughlin (middle) will be joined on screen by Arabella Stanton (left) as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout (right) as Ron Weasley
JK Rowling (above) will feature as one of the new show’s executive producers, but transgender activists are reportedly targeting the show in to protest against her gender identity views
They told The Sun: ‘This has been a massive headache for the creators and sparked a massive investigation within the studios about the breach in security.
‘Security has now been boosted as a result of what’s happened, but also what is expected to happen at some point due to the discussions taking place online among Trans activists.
‘The series won’t air until 2027 which means it is going to be a very long filming period during which time so much can be disrupted, damaged or leaked.’
The Daily Mail has approached HBO for comment.
The alleged threats have sparked particular concern over the sheer volume of locations the Potter series is set to be filming in.
Earlier this month, one village being constructed for the new show, which will feature John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Rebeus Hagrid, was pictured for the first time in Hertfordshire.
The sets being constructed looked to be a thatched cottage, a road, a sports stand, a greenhouse and a stone outbuilding.
While details are not yet clear, the sports stand could be for scenes involving the fictional sport of Quidditch, while other locations could be the Burrow which is the family home of the Weasleys and Hagrid’s Hut.
The new wizarding stars have been spotted filming in Cornwall (McLaughlin seen on set above) in the recent months
Sets being constructed in Cornwall looked to show a thatched cottage, a road, a sports stand, a greenhouse and a stone outbuilding
The nearby farm area was also snapped having been transformed into the wizarding world, with filming thought to soon be moving there from the current area in Cornwall being used to shoot scenes.
Surrounding villages in have also been transformed into 1980s-like locations, with Hoddesdon in particular given a historic makeover to transport it back to the setting for the novel’s prologue.
During filming, an estate agent window showed the huge rise of inflation that has hit the economy in the past four decades, with houses available to purchase for as little as £25,000.
A newsstand also offered a throwback to the headlines that dominated conversation at the time, with one familiar newspaper featuring a splash of a beaming image of Princess Diana following the announcement she was pregnant.
The splash, which had the publication date of November 1, 1981, showed the late Princess Of Wales stepping out while the report stated she’d received well-wishes from around the world in the wake of her baby news.
