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‘Harry Potter’ Officially Sets Massive Return 1 Month Before HBO Release
Warner Bros. is set to open what it describes as the UK’s largest Harry Potter shop on Oxford Street in November, seeking to build excitement ahead of HBO’s new television adaptation of the seven novels. The opening reflects the franchise’s continuing commercial appeal and its return to prominence before the series begins on Christmas Day.
The two-floor shop will cover more than 21,000 square feet and is designed around Diagon Alley. Planned attractions include a dragon above Gringotts Bank, a full-size Knight Bus and a Leaky Cauldron-themed food venue selling Butterbeer; HBO’s cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron.
In short
- Warner Bros. will open a major Harry Potter shop in November.
- The Oxford Street site spans two floors and 21,000 square feet.
- It precedes HBO’s Christmas Day series launch.
Explained simply
Harry Potter began as a series of seven novels by British author J.K. Rowling, about a boy who discovers he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School. The books were adapted into eight films, and the characters and settings have since appeared in stage shows, games and merchandise.
Warner Bros. owns the screen rights to the franchise, while HBO is making a new television adaptation of the novels. Its story centres on Harry and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, whose adventures involve magic, friendship and a conflict with the dark wizard Voldemort.
The franchise remains a major source of books, films and related products, and shops and attractions let fans engage with its fictional world. The television series is intended to tell the books’ story over multiple seasons, bringing the characters to a new audience.