Check out the set for Platform 9¾ on HBO's new Harry Potter show

Reports about HBO's new Harry Potter TV show are flying fast and furious. The show has cast most of the characters who will appear in the first season, from the Golden Trio down to supporting players. And while the original Harry Potter movies made use of location filming in addition to shooting on set, the TV show is going all-in on enormous sets. One of the latest is a set for Platform 9¾, the magical train station where Harry and his friends board the Hogwarts Express every year to travel to wizard boarding school. Images of the set are making the rounds on Twitter/X:

Hogwarts students can access Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station, which is a real place in London. In the Harry Potter movies, the cast and crew actually filmed parts of these scenes inside the real station; there's a plaque marking the place on the wall where you can walk through if you're magical enough; it's popular with tourists to this day. Exteriors for King's Cross were filmed at another London transit station, St. Pancras Station, which apparently looks more like King's Cross than King's Cross does from the outside.

But again, the Harry Potter TV show is going all in on sets. It's not just Platform 9¾. They've also built an enormous set to stand in for Privet Drive, the suburban neighborhood where Harry Potter grows up with his horrible aunt and uncle. You'd figure they'd be able to go to an actual suburb and just film in front of some houses, but they've opted to build it themselves:

I'm not quite sure why they're so dead set on sets. If this were another story, I might say they want privacy while filming so they can avoid leaks. But this is Harry Potter, one of the most famous stories of the past 50 years. The books and movies both wrapped up well over a decade ago, so the secrets are already out there. What's to hide?

Maybe HBO wants these huge sets to serve as tourist attractions after the show is over, or maybe they figure it'll be more cost-effective in the long run if they build environments they can control. Whatever the reason, they're pouring tons of money and resources into these things. Another set looks like it may be Diagon Alley, where Harry goes to buy magic school supplies:

Granted, Diagon Alley might be a little harder to film on location than Privet Drive. In any case, cameras should start rolling on the Harry Potter show soon. We don't have a release date yet, but I think the very earliest it could be out is late 2026. A 2027 release date feels more likely.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.