The cast and crew behind HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series were treated to a lavish private celebration at Thorpe Park, but not everyone got the magical experience they expected.
The Young Stars Couldn’t Ride Most Attractions
The popular theme park was almost closed for one night only earlier this month, with reports that producers had to pay nearly £200,000 to close the venue. The event was set up as a way to thank the cast and crew who had worked over 100 days on the much-anticipated fantasy reboot.
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The hotel reportedly offered guests unlimited food, drinks, and access to the park’s most attractions. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many adult cast members and crew to ride the rollercoasters without standing in line.
The air should have been festive. Yet, one awkward aspect was soon the subject of conversation. Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Staunton (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) were among the younger actors who were reportedly unable to ride many of the biggest attractions at Thorpe Park due to height restrictions.
A dream night at one of the UK’s best amusement parks turned into a running joke among those attending. Apparently, some guests thought it was rather ironic that the show’s child stars had their own park set aside for them, but they were denied the main attractions.
Still, the evening was kept under tight security and was very secretive. In addition to the exclusive experience, guests were reportedly prohibited from taking selfies with the young actors, posting anything about the event on social media, or even taking photos of the event. Other than that, guests were reportedly not allowed to take photos, post anything about the event on social media, or even take selfies with the young actors.
Ginny Weasley Actress Leaves After Season One
The celebration also coincided with a bizarre week for the show, as young actress Gracie Cochrane revealed that she was not coming back as Ginny Weasley beyond the first season. The actress told her family in a statement that her experience on the show was “truly wonderful”.
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However, she had decided to leave for “unforeseen circumstances.” “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO Harry Potter series after season one.”
“Her time as part of the Harry Potter world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience”.
Later, HBO announced its backing of the move and expressed gratitude to the actress for her effort on season one. “We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show.”
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