Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
HBO has finally revealed the young trio who will take on the legendary roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron in its much-awaited Harry Potter television series. Dominic McLaughlin will play the boy wizard, Arabella Stanton steps in as the sharp and brave Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout brings Ron Weasley to life.
These three rising stars were chosen from a massive talent pool of over 30,000 hopefuls after a nationwide open audition. While they are still newcomers, each brings a bit of experience. McLaughlin has already filmed projects like Grow and the upcoming Gifted, Stanton has impressed audiences as Matilda in the West End, and Stout makes his screen debut with this series.
The show’s creators, Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, say they were blown away by the trio’s chemistry and potential. “They felt right from the beginning,” their joint statement read. “It’s been amazing to see so much young talent come through the doors.”
Backed by Warner Bros. and produced by Brontë Film and TV, the series promises to stick closely to J.K. Rowling’s original books, with each season focusing on one novel. Rowling herself is an executive producer, despite the continued debate around her views. HBO has clarified that the adaptation’s main focus remains on staying true to the source material.
A fresh chapter begins at Hogwarts with HBO’s young cast revealInstagram/harrypotterhbo_info
Joining the young leads is an ensemble of seasoned performers: John Lithgow will play headmaster Dumbledore, Nick Frost takes on the role of Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu will play Snape, and Janet McTeer appears as Professor McGonagall. Other cast members include Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as the ever-grumpy caretaker Filch.
Filming is set to begin in summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, UK, the original filming location of the films. The first season is likely to air in 2026 on HBO Max.
The Harry Potter reboot begins filming in summer 2025 in the UK
Instagram/harrypotterhbo_info
Though early reactions online are mixed with some fans celebrating the new casting and others still loyal to the original films, there’s no denying the anticipation. With a decade-long plan in place, this series plans to dig deeper into the magical world, giving space to characters and stories the films had to rush past.
A new generation is headed to Hogwarts. Let’s see what magic they bring.
ACTRESS and writer Meera Syal and DJ Bobby Friction will reflect on their memories of the BBC’s Asian-themed output as the broadcaster this month celebrates six decades of programmes to serve the community.
From Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan in the late 1960s to Desi DNA and Goodness Gracious Me in the 1990s and more recently, Virdee, the corporation said it has widened “the space for British south Asian expression”.
Syal will reminisce at the Asian programming she grew up watching in Network East with Meera Syal, while Friction will go through the archives in South Asian Music at the BBC.
BBC head of creative diversity, Jessica Schibli, said, “60 years of south Asian programming across the BBC is a significant moment – celebrating pioneering shows that launched trailblazing talent, to today’s bold storytelling woven across our content.
“This anniversary is a celebration of the journey so far and a reaffirmation of the BBC’s mission to serve all audiences and reflect modern Britain, including South Asian voices on air and in shaping our creative output.”
To mark 60 years of content aimed at south Asians, the BBC said there will a special night of classic shows on BBC Four and iPlayer.
Among new shows, the BBC said drama series Film Club – which dwells on love, family and friendship - will be launched on October 7. It stars Nabhaan Rizwan; his brother and BAFTA-winner Mawaan Rizwan created the comedy series Juice.
Later this year, Guz Khan will star in a new Christmas comedy Stuffed and The Split Up introduces fresh British south Asian voices to drama, the corporation said.
The BBC Film Hamlet, featuring Riz Ahmed, is a contemporary take through a south Asian lens on Shakespeare’s story, exploring identity and power, it added.
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