James and Oliver Phelps may not be sporting the trademark red Weasley hair, but the twins are still instantly recognizable to fans of the “Harry Potter” franchise having played cheeky brothers Fred and George for almost a quarter of their lives. Now, a decade on, they’re back at Leavesden Studios just outside London, where the movies were shot, for a new competition show, “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” which launches today on The Food Network, HBO and Max (it will be available from December on Prime Video in the U.K.).
The Phelps twins host the show, which sees them reunite with former castmembers including Warwick Davis and Bonnie Wright, who return to the franchise as guest judges alongside foodies Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef, as they decide which bakers go through to the next round and which must apparate home.
During filming earlier this year, James and Oliver Phelps sat down with Variety to discuss the lasting effect of “Potter,” why they signed up to host the new show and how they feel about HBO’s brand-new adaptation of the books.
What made you say “yes” to hosting “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking”?
Oliver: We’re massive fans of the whole baking TV [genre]. It’s one of the only programs that my daughter, who is 7, was like, “Oh my God, what are you doing? You’re doing this!” So that was great. And also being able to work back in this world — we know it quite well, but not in this form — so it so great to be part of that.
James: It’s something which I’ve always wanted to do and I think Oliver as well. My wife and I love baking shows, it’s always our holiday thing. And being so close to watch the world’s best do what they do is amazing.
What’s the atmosphere like in the kitchens?
James: There’s pressure not to get in the way! We just want to make sure that any instructions we give are very clear and correct because a few curveballs get thrown in once in a while.
Oliver: I don’t think I’ve been on such a busy set in my life. You see the amount of crew working behind the scenes — it’s not a small production. I think that really comes across as well. Because one thing we’ve learned over the years doing stuff with this franchise is they do it properly. When they said, “Oh we’re going to be filming in a kitchen,” I thought “OK, they’ll build a small little set.” Not something that looks like it could be the kitchens at Hogwarts only with modern technology. There’s no cauldrons going on!
Have you managed to have a taste of some of the creations?
James: Oh yeah!
Oliver: When the camera’s not rolling.
James: When we shot Episode 1, we were told we could go home before they did the reveal. But we wanted to stay — not just so we could taste some of the cakes but also because we were genuinely invested in these people. Some of the people here, if not all of them, are really inspirational. A lot of them started up from no prior experience before they got into baking. Some, it’s their life dream to get to do something like this. Even if they don’t necessarily win the competition, they’re getting the national if not international recognition for their skills.
There are so many details from the original books and films that can be turned into cake – is that something you’ve enjoyed watching?
Oliver: I think you forget how in depth [J.K. Rowling] went with the writing and the story and the genius behind it. Also it was just something that when we’re filming, we’re like, “Oh, yeah, that’s where the gnomings go.” “That’s a portkey.” You just think like, how many layers upon layers upon layers goes into it.
James: Like a cake! But we will always be forever grateful for her, for allowing us to be the characters as well. Anything that’s “Potter” is never done by halves. If you go on the kitchen set now there’s the fireplace — someone’s actually made it so it looks like fire has been there, so there’s burn marks on the on the flu.
Oliver: And there’s nods to other things around like there’s some silhouettes of shapes from the chocolate frog boxes.
Have you ever gotten used to how much people love “Harry Potter”?
Oliver: No. I think maybe we are just aware of it now. Now [there’s] a new generation of fans who grew up watching it — like my daughter’s friends are big “Potter” fans and that’s weird.
James: It’s weird when you go to a “Potter”[-themed] birthday party.
Has being back at Leavesden stirred up memories for you?
James: We filmed some other jobs here. We did “Last Night in Soho” and that was the same stage as where the Wizard Wheezes set was, the joke shop in the sixth movie, so that was quite a thing. So seeing it as a studio now it’s nothing like when we filmed here, but it’s still cool that this is the house which “Potter” built.
Oliver: In some ways, it’s like no time has passed at all.
With the new HBO adaptation of “Harry Potter” on the horizon, how do you feel about new actors stepping into the role of the Weasley Twins?
Oliver: I think we will always be associated with those characters. Whatever happens in the TV series — which we know as much as anyone else does to be honest with you — I think people will always see us as Fred and George to a point. Obviously, the guys who will go on and take our characters in that adaptation of it, they’ll do their thing and we wish them nothing but the best. Just don’t be as good as us!
