NEWS FOR THE DAY 12.06.06

Tony! Tony!

Frances de la Tour (Madame Maxime) has just been awarded a Tony award for Best Featured Actress in a Play ("The History Boys"). Stay tuned for more Harry Potter cast member news from the 60th annual Tony Awards!

UPDATE: We have now added photos from the Tonys to our galleries! Check them out here.

UPDATE #2: Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) has just received the Tony for Best Actor in a Play, also for "The History Boys.".

The Best PotterCast Avatar Contest We've Ever Done

Heh. Or maybe the first.

We've just announced a PotterCast avatar contest; we've witnessed you all create hundreds of awesome avatars and graphics since the show came out, so we thought we'd have a little fun with it. There will be to-be-announced prizes for the winners; in the meantime read all the rules at PotterCast.com and enjoy!

Richard Griffiths Profiled in New York Times

Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) is profiled in today's New York Times. The Tony-nominated actor talks about the challenges of being raised by two deaf parents, his character in "The History Boys," his own physical problems, and his missed opportunity to play Oliver Hardy to Jonathan Pryce's Stan Laurel. Here is a snippet, in which Mr. Griffiths reminisces about his father:

"He was a terrifying man," Mr. Griffiths said. "He had an amazing quality of understanding humanity. You couldn't lie to him because he knew it instantly, because his hunting instincts were more of the crocodile than the lion, and if you'd lie, you'd catch it five times worse."

You can read the article here; registration is required, but free.

Potter Actors to Take Part in Special Play for Queen's Birthday Party

Several actors from the Harry Potter films will be taking part in a special play for the Queen's birthday party as was officially announced today. Dan Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione), Rupert Grint (Ron), Matt Lewis (Neville), and Julie Walters (Molly Wealsey) all will be part of a special party held in honor of the Queen's 80th birthday at Buckingham Palace on June 25. All that is known about the actor's part is that it is a " a specially-written scene." Author J.K. Rowling will also be reading from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince before the play. A BBC spokesperson says:

"The Queen has invited characters from the world of literature to the palace to help celebrate her birthday. But just as everyone starts to arrive Mary, the Queen's maid, her butler Mr Tibbs and Sophie from The BFG realise the Queen's handbag which contains her speech has gone. Sophie (played by herself - Sophie Dahl) had The BFG written for her by her grandfather. "

Earlier reports said that Dan Radcliffe was going to be unable to attend this event, and we are trying to verfiy this, but this information is coming from those in charge of the event. The BBC will be broadcasting portions of the party, including the reading by JKR. TLC plans to have video and more up from this event, so stay tuned!

Additional Set Photos from Phoenix Filming

Last month, TLC first reported that filming was taking place on location in London along the river Thames for scenes for the upcoming Order of the Phoenix film. London Taxi Tours.com has now posted two photos from what seems to be filming on the river. We can not determine if there are any of the actors in these pictures, but it appears to be mainly the crew filming out on boats. The site writes:

"During the middle of May we spotted the film crew (for Order Of The Phoenix) filming along the River Thames, speeding up and down the river - ideas for what they where doing - We think they were practicing the flying broomsticks (using special effects) scene where Harry arrives in London from Privet Drive to stay at Grimmold Place."

This matches the information that TLC posted last year, where in an interview with director David Yates, he specifically spoke about his intent to film a "big wizard chase" along the river and the landmarks of London. Other photos also online show Hagrid's Hut, very similar to ones we have seen previously.

Please note: On their website, London Taxi Tours also says that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is being filmed in Turkey at the moment." We do not know if this is accurate, as earlier reports of filming overseas had been previously dispelled. While principal filming for Phoenix is now on hiatus, second unit crews could be still working, and it is possible crews are filming exterior shots overseas. We are trying to get more information on this and will update with more when we can. Thanks to London Taxi Tours and those who emailed!