Animal actors return to Warner Bros. Studio London

This February, by popular demand, animal actors from the Harry Potter film series will return to Warner Bros.

Studio Tour London – which highlights the talented training teams that helped to create the performances of 250+ live animals throughout all eight films. From Friday 14th to Monday 24th February, a selection of animals, trained by Head Animal Trainer Julie Tottman, will revisit the incredible sets they frequented when working on the films. 

Visitors to the Gryffindor common room set will find it occupied by a cat that played stealthy Mrs Norris, the toad that played Neville Longbottom’s pet Trevor and a number of rats – trained using the same process as those who played Ron Weasley’s pet Scabbers. 

In addition to watching live training demonstrations, visitors will discover how animals learnt  to ‘act’ by taking a look at the equipment and tricks that were used on set. 

A ginger cat that played Hermione Granger’s bandy-legged feline Crookshanks will be seen on Diagon Alley and a Neapolitan Mastiff, trained like those that played Hagrid’s loyal dog Fang, will be stationedoutside the half-giant’s hut. Visitors will also be able to pose for a picture with a Snowy Owl who played Harry Potter’s letter-delivering owl Hedwig. 

Animal facts: 

• Three different dog breeds were initially considered to play Fang before the choice of Neapolitan Mastiff was made. Irish Wolfhound and Scottish Deerhound were the other options. 

• Crackerjack, one of the cats that played Crookshanks, became very good friends with one of the rats that played Scabbers. In fact, he would often chase the rat around the sets even when the cameras weren’t rolling. 

• Initial groundwork for animal training takes about three to five weeks; when a script first arrived, the Animal Department would begin fundamental training, develop questions and ideas about how the scenes would be shot and then work with the director to finalise training plans. 

Tickets must be pre-booked in advance and all extra activities are included in the ticket price.