Magical props have been vanishing from the set of HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter television series at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire.
Items including broomsticks, wands, pumpkins, spell books and fake food were discovered missing during the filming of a Halloween feast sequence in the newly constructed Hogwarts Great Hall.
Camera crew members are understood to have noticed the disappearances while shooting the scene on the £1billion production.
A source told The Sun that the thefts cannot be pinned on any particular group: “It’s easy to suspect the dozens of support actors on set, but truthfully no one knows who is responsible.”
The Harry Potter series will land on HBO
| HBO Harry Potter
The insider added that, for once, the scandal cannot be blamed on Lord Voldemort.
Production bosses have taken decisive action by fitting props such as broomsticks and wands with microchips to deter further theft.
Warning posters have been placed around rest areas on the Hertfordshire set, featuring an image of a tagged broomstick and text designed to blend seamlessly with the wizarding world aesthetic.
The notices inform cast and crew that all props are now being monitored on a daily basis, with any movement recorded and logged for security purposes.
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in the new HBO series | HBO
Staff wishing to remove any item from its designated location must first obtain permission from the Props Department.
The posters also request that anyone spotting lost or misplaced items report them immediately so the props team can continue their search.
Studio executives have made clear that anyone caught taking props will face immediate dismissal and removal from the set for breaching their contract.
Production bosses have also warned they will be searching online marketplaces to identify any stolen items being offered for sale.
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will play Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in the new HBO Harry Potter series | HBO
“Production bosses said they will be scouring eBay to make sure nothing is found for sale online,” a source revealed. “Anyone caught doing so will be punished and fired.”
The crackdown comes after Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the original film franchise, jokingly advised his successor Lox Pratt to “steal as many props as you can – they’ll be worth a fortune” during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
One TikTok user commented on the thefts: “Lol did the kids take Tom Felton’s advice to heart?”
The HBO series features 12-year-old Dominic McLaughlin in the title role, with Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton completing the famous trio as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively.
Hagrid is played by Nick Frost in the HBO series
| HBO Harry Potter
John Lithgow takes on the role of Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer plays Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu portrays Severus Snape, and Nick Frost appears as Rubeus Hagrid.
The eight-episode first season, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is set to premiere globally on Christmas Day 2026.
Its first-look trailer, released in March, shattered records by becoming the most-watched trailer in HBO and HBO Max history, amassing 277 million views within just 48 hours.
A second season adapting The Chamber of Secrets has already been confirmed, with filming expected to commence later this year.