THE new TV adaptation of Harry Potter has been a chamber of secrets . . . until now.
Bosses at HBO have been left fuming after images of their hush-hush sets were splashed across the internet for all to see, giving fans the first sneak peek into the magical world.
And to rub further salt into the wounds – they’ve been leaked by arch streaming rivals Apple.
Apple Maps has gone public with aerial images from the Warner Bros Studio in Neasden, showing some of the iconic locations from the Harry Potter universe.
Potterheads will recognise Gringotts Wizarding Bank and its imposing columns. Located in Diagon Alley, the cobblestone shopping district in the book and films, that too has been recreated in all its glory for the eagerly anticipated series, out next year.
Overhead shots also show Hagrid’s Hut – home to the half-man half-giant groundskeeper of Hogwarts.
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Played by Robbie Coultrane in the films, Hot Fuzz star Nick Frost takes on the role in the series.
Privet Close — the suburban street where orphaned Harry was sent to live with his aunt and uncle — has also been brought to life on the set.
Bet they’re wishing they had a real-life invisibility cloak now.
The series promises to be a “faithful adaptation” of JK Rowling’s bestselling novels about the young wizard – enlisting a trio of child actors.
Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Staunton as Hermione Granger.
The films made stars of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who first brought the characters to life on screen.
First announced in December 2024, bosses have been desperate to keep details of the series under wraps.
They’d gone to great lengths to keep it a secret, even ordering staff to use codewords while on location.
Staff lanyards were originally branded with “Dark Train” with no reference to the wizard production.
The code was then switched to “Brown Cat” by paranoid management.
Phone messages sent to cast and crew could only be opened once before disappearing from screens. On set, mobile phones are banned.
Last year The Sun revealed how the Hogwarts Express had magically steamed into the grounds, with a replica of Hogsmeade Station also there as part of a £4million set that includes half a mile of track through woodland.
John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore and The Capture’s Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Snape.
THE BBC’s quirky comedy-drama Small Prophets, has proved a big hit – with a record 7.7million tuning in for episode one.
Writer Mackenzie Crook said: “I ended Small Prophets with ‘to be continued’ and I hope that is a promise I can keep in the not-too-distant future.”
STEPHEN TO GET A GRILLING
STEPHEN FRY and I’m A Celeb’s Aitch face the grilling of their lives when The Assembly returns to ITV.
Autistic, neuro-divergent and learning disabled interviewers will once again quiz famous faces.
Joining Aitch and Stephen in the hot seat will be funnyman Sir Lenny Henry, actress Anna Maxwell Martin and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The first series featured Rivals star Danny Dyer and ex-Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.
No question is off the table, so it should be an interesting watch.
MICHAEL PORTILLO is going to need new pages for his passport as he returns with FOUR new Great Railway Journeys for BBC Two.
Across 40 episodes he’ll travel through Japan, South Korea, central Asia and Europe.
He climbs aboard in Japan at the start of his journeys on April 13.
TRAITORS SPOOF
THE Traitors is getting a Hollywood makeover . . . but it’s all in a good cause.
A host of big-names are recreating the murder and treachery from the last series for an hilarious spoof for tomorrow’s Comic Relief.
Anna Friel transforms into Claudia Winkleman – copying her Highland style and fringe – for The Traitors: The Movie: The Sequel.
She’s joined at the round table by reality star Vicky Pattison and Love Island narrator Iain Stirling as winning Traitors Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby.
Alison Steadman plays secret Traitor Fiona, while Amanda Redman is namesake Amanda.
Fleur East is Roxy, Lewis Cope is Jack and Jessica Hynes is Harriet.
Vicky said: “This does feel outside my usual wheelhouse – I am not an actor, I am not Northern Irish, I think I’d rather be back in the Arctic or trekking, I’m scared.”
Watch Comic Relief tomorrow from 7pm.
