Latest in Harry Potter

While the HBO Max executives Wednesday at TCA highlighted 500 classic movies to be on the service at launch later this spring, curated by Turner Classic Movies, don’t expect to see Harry Potter. “Harry Potter is tied up with another programming group,” said Michael Quigley, EVP Content Acquisitions at TNT, TBS, TruTV…

Academy Award winner and longtime stage actress Maggie Smith has taken on many fulfilling roles over the years, although she wouldn’t include her work in Downton Abbey or the Harry Potter films among them. Smith, who played schoolmistress Minerva McGonagall in the boy-wizard adventures and Dowager Countess Violet…

Dale Nelson, who handled major brands like Harry Potter, Looney Tunes and DC Comics during her time as a legal executive at Warner Bros., has joined entertainment law firm Donaldson + Callif as a partner. The former VP and Senior Intellectual Property Counsel at Warner Bros. will focus on clearance. "Dale's longevity…

BAFTA has presented Special Awards to longstanding Film4 executive Sue Bruce-Smith and DoP Roger Pratt (Batman). Bruce-Smith, Deputy Director at Film4, was recognized with a Special Award for her outstanding contribution to British cinema with speakers at a Friday event including former Film4 boss Tessa Ross, BFI…

Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Working Title co-chief Eric Fellner lamented the “shocking” lack of diversity on UK sets at the launch event for a new school aimed at boosting skills and diversity within the local film and TV industries. Heyman and fellow London Screen Academy founders Fellner and Tim Bevan of…

Forthcoming Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is set to get an audiobook attachement via Amazon's Audible and Pottermore. The Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald – Makers, Mysteries and Magic audiobook is narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Dan Fogler, who plays Jacob Kowalski…

EXCLUSIVE: Cast is now set for Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix Original comedy series After Life, which is under way in London. Joining Gervais are Downton Abbey and Doctor Who star Penelope Wilton, Harry Potter and Game Of Thrones star David Bradley, Ashley Jensen (Extras), Tom Basden (Plebs), Tony Way (Edge of Tomorrow)…

Alan Rickman’s film resume includes many memorable characters, but his role as the intimidatingly moody Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise remains one of his most iconic roles. Audiences may have enjoyed him as one of the most layered and pivotal characters in the movie franchise based on the JK…

As we know, one way activists like to energize a serious campaign is to make them fun. That’s the approach taken by a group of young UK campaigners who want to shine a light on the lack of on-screen diversity. In what one local communications director described as the PR stunt of the day, a group of young black…

As part of a new series of arts programming, the BBC has set a one-off program of insights and revelations from Joan Plowright, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins. The four old friends will reflect on their lives and careers in BBC Two's Nothing Like A Dame, directed by Roger Michell, as they spend a weekend…

September 1 is a special day for Harry Potter fans, and author J.K. Rowling’s pottermore.com just introduced a way to commemorate: It launched what it calls an “immersive digital experience” enabling visitors to take a virtual tour of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You need to be a registered user of…

Known for his roles in BBC series All Creatures Great And Small, and the Harry Potter movies — as well as myriad portrayals of Winston Churchill — British actor Robert Hardy has died. His family told the BBC today that Hardy had a “tremendous life.” He was 91. Hardy’s career spanned more than 70 years, and saw him…