Production on HBO’s Harry Potter season two has been delayed by months amid casting shake-ups and on-set security headaches.
The second installment, adapting J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has lost two major cast members and faced reports of stolen props since back-to-back filming began at Warner Bros Studios in Hertfordshire. Casey Bloys, HBO’s chief, said the accelerated schedule was designed specifically around the young actors. “Our goal is to not have a huge gap, you know, especially because the kids are growing. It’s not going to be an annual; the show is too big and too massive. But… they’re writing the season two now,” he said.
Gracie Cochrane, originally cast as Ginny Weasley, exited the series in May. Her family announced the departure in a statement at the time: “Due to unforeseen circumstances Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO Harry Potter series after season one.”
HBO backed the move. A representative for the network responded, “We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show.”
By July, the role remained unfilled. HBO issued a casting call seeking UK children aged 10, 11 or 12, with audition videos due by July 17.
Nicholas Hoult also dropped out, leaving the role of Gilderoy Lockhart. The actor, 35, exited over what were described as scheduling conflicts. HBO confirmed on August 24 that Kit Harington, 38, had taken over the part instead.
Props have gone missing from the Great Hall set. Reports said in May that books, pumpkins, wands and food from a Halloween feast were among the items stolen. Production responded by posting a warning notice on set. “Props on this production have been microchipped. For inventory and security purposes, props are being tracked daily, and movement of props will be logged,” the poster read, alongside an illustration of a broomstick with a lock on it.
Despite the setbacks, filming is active. Asha Soetan, who plays Angelina Johnson, shared on her Instagram story on August 14 that she was “back on set with some exciting scenes.”
The series is planned as a seven-season adaptation covering all of Rowling’s original books. Season one stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu round out the adult cast as Dumbledore, Hagrid and Snape. The first season is set to premiere December 25.
