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Is Downton Abbey Filming at Hogwarts?
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Dowager Countess, welcome to Professor McGonagall’s old home.
Some media outlets are reporting that “Downton Abbey” is filming its Christmas episode at Alnwick Castle, the Northumberland location that doubled as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter movies.
According to the "Radio Times," filming is taking place there until August 8. The media outlet pieced together the clues that the Crawleys and company had relocated from its Highclere Castle home base because of the following statement on the Alnwick Castle website:
"Please note that various areas of Alnwick Castle will be closed or have limited access on July 28–August 8 (inclusive), due to the filming of a major ITV period drama."
Northumberland Estates further confirmed speculation with this statement:
“We can confirm that Alnwick Castle and Hulne Park are two of the locations to be featured in episodes of a well-known ITV drama series to be shown later in the year.”
The Duke of Northumberland issued an apology to visitors for the inconvenience which also substantiated the news.
Finally Sovereign Taxis, the area car service, sent out this very telling tweet:
Start of another busy day with the Downton abbey crew. — at Alnwick Castle http://t.co/a8vE5XD2W0
— sovereign taxis (@Alnwicktaxis) July 29, 2014
It appears visitors to the castle and the area may get a glimpse of Professor McGonogall and the Earl of Grantham if they are lucky. If not, they can watch new episodes in Britain starting in September.
In the U.S., “Downton Abbey” returns January 4, 2015.