❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
HBO’s Harry Potter TV series cinematographer calls shooting schedule "brutal"
"You have to shoot really fast, and the faster you go, the more you compromise quality."
Aidan Monaghan/HBO
- James Hibbs
Published: Monday, 20 July 2026 at 10:09 am
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue
As fans wait to see the new Harry Potter HBO series, production is already gearing up for the second season of the show, which will be based on The Chamber of Secrets.
Ad
The team behind the series are hoping to create an efficient production schedule, so as to eventually film seven seasons, adapting all seven of JK Rowling's Potter novels, while the central child cast can still realistically play their parts at the relevant ages.
Now, Adriano Goldman, the cinematographer for the series, has called this filming schedule "brutal", while speaking with Andre Pilli.
Golsman said of working on the show: "You have to shoot really fast, and the faster you go, the more you compromise quality. There’s no way around it, right? Obviously, we have a lot of resources, but it’s brutal.
"The kids’ screen time is really brutal. So the methodology is very specific. You practically have to pre-shoot all the scenes while they’re in class."
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Aidan Monaghan for HBO Max
Goldman added that Harry star Dominic McLaughlin, Ron star Alastair Stout and Hermione star Arabella Stantoncome to set for about "an hour and a half," and in this time he has to shoot "six setups" before they have to leave again.
"It’s really hard; you shoot everything out of order, right, because of that kind of scheduling," he said. "So the process is really complicated, but I’ve done one now."
The reason for the restricted shooting schedule is due to the child stars having to also attend school. Last year, the studio was granted permission to build a temporary school on site for the young actors.
Alastair Stout in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Aidan Monaghan/HBO
When the Harry Potter series does return for filming on its second season, one of its central characters will be played by a different actor.
Gracie Cochrane, who will be seen playing Ginny Weasley in season 1, will not be returning for season 2, with Cochrane and her family saying in a statement that this is due to "unforeseen circumstances".
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights.
In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall.
Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that "there are no trans kids" and opposed the idea that a child can be "born in the wrong body".
In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women's Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to "individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights".
Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community.
Others, including Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received.
Harry Potter will be coming to HBO in the US and HBO Max globally on 25 December 2026. Subscribe to HBO Max in the UK from £5.99 a month.
Add Harry Potter to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Ad
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...