Wikipedia
Reports that a “Harry Potter” show is set to debut on Netflix in 2020 are false. Rumors that a Joss Whedon-produced series about the famous wizard is coming to the online streaming service began as an April Fool’s Day prank.
According to Snopes, the fake claim originated as an April Fool’s Day joke published by Hypable last year. The article claimed that the actors from Netflix’s popular series “Stranger Things” were cast in a new project: a “Harry Potter” show. It purported:
In a stunning turn of events that surprised literally everyone, Netflix’s latest press release is about to blow. your. mind. Several actors from Stranger Things have been plucked to star in a brand new Harry Potter television series set in the US!
It’s rare when so many actors from one show get cast in another project together but Netflix has made some magic happen, pun totally intended. Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Noah Schnapp (Will) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) have all been cast in a new Harry Potter series set in the United States at the American wizarding school, Ilvermorny.
Additionally, a fake Netflix poster advertising the new “Harry Potter” series began circulating social media, which added to the confusion. The poster claimed that the series would make its Netflix debut during Christmas 2020, however, neither the ad nor the original article is real.
The real photo that was used to create the fan-made poster was actually taken by philanthropist Bobby Sager in Afghanistan in 2001. The image was featured in Sager’s book, “The Power of the Invisible Sun,” in which he wrote, “Hope is the most important thing that people need to move forward. The slightest ray of hope can ignite the human spirit’s ability to overcome: the power of the invisible sun.” The child’s face from the original photo was edited to appear more Potter-esque using a lightning bolt scar and round glasses, among other changes.
There is currently no “Harry Potter” Netflix series in the works. The poster is not real and the article was nothing more than a prank.
Here are some examples of people sharing the April Fool’s Day prank on social media:
Social Media Shares Fake Story about “Harry Potter” Show Debuting On Netflix
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD THIS IS NOT A DRILLhttps://t.co/3dPvXstZ2i
— Choptart (@KeeblerOrganElf) January 8, 2018
This is life altering https://t.co/GdS6WhlRhW
— Joe Lauria (@joelauria24) January 8, 2018
@jk_rowling Please say this is real! If not, I might cry myself to sleep in the fetal position <3 https://t.co/bc7aBCVmQ2
— Kendra Butterfield (@kbutterfield76) January 10, 2018
harry potter series on netflix 2020??? that just made me so hype
— Яαι⚡️ (@ahzureye) January 11, 2018
Um I’m sorry but @Netflix please don’t ruin Harry Potter for me, that’s all I ask pic.twitter.com/jwtoZXu8Mr
— [Adriana] (@rnana_03) November 19, 2017
Have you seen the fake story about a “Harry Potter” showing debuting on Netflix in 2020 circulating social media? What are your thoughts on the April Fool’s Day prank and fake poster? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo credit: Ilona Higgins, Wikipedia
