Harry Potter child stars to miss Oxford Street Christmas event amid protest fears - The Independent

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The young stars of HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series will not attend Oxford Street’s Christmas lights switch-on in partnership with HBO.

This year, the central London thoroughfare will receive a makeover in partnership with the new series, alongside a flagship Harry Potter store opening on the street this week.

The event will take place from 4.30pm on Monday, November 9; however, HBO has confirmed the young stars of the upcoming adaptation will not take part.

The three main characters, Hogwarts students Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, respectively.

An HBO spokesperson said in a statement: “We’re excited to bring the magic of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Oxford Street – and screens – this Christmas.

“With production of our second season already under way, we are mindful of our young actors’ busy schedules and are judicious when it comes to asks of their time on top of their production and education commitments.

“We have therefore decided not to involve our young actors in the official switch-on event for the Oxford Street Christmas lights.”

The decision comes amid fears over protests at the event over Potter author JK Rowling’s controversial views on trans rights.

Citing insiders, The Sun reported Sunday that HBO Max bosses met with the Metropolitan Police regarding concerns about public disorder linked to trans-rights groups.

“It was all looking really exciting but sadly there are concerns about their safety. With the police and stakeholders, it was decided the child actors won’t appear,” the insider said.

“No one wants to risk their safety if protests go ahead.”

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people have signed a petition sent to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, asking him to “pull the plug on transphobia” and cancel the themed lights.

“Harry Potter lights in one of the busiest streets of London will not make trans people feel Christmassy, welcome, or safe,” the petition launched by the not-for-profit campaign organisation Good Law Project (GLP) reads.

Khan’s office said it was not responsible for organising the Oxford Street Christmas lights, which are arranged by the New West End Company.

A City Hall London spokesman told The Telegraph: “The mayor is clear that he will always support and champion all of London’s diverse communities, including trans and non-binary Londoners.”

HBO Max and the New West End Company previously announced their partnership that would “bring the magic of Harry Potter to Oxford Street this Christmas”.

They said the collaboration would be a “festive celebration of one of the world’s most beloved stories, bringing a host of Harry Potter-inspired celebrations and attractions to shoppers, commuters, international visitors and fans throughout the festive season”.

The partnership is timed to celebrate the Christmas launch of the new HBO original TV series, which begins with the eight-episode season of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and the opening of the Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street.

The store – which opens on November 4 – has been billed as the UK’s largest official Harry Potter flagship store.

The show aims to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s novels while providing a wider insight into the magical wizarding world beyond that was depicted in the hit film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2011.

The cast includes Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore.