When it was announced that the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter would be opening next year, the First News team could barely contain their excitement. So imagine how we felt when we were asked to come to take a look at all the magical goings on at the studio in preparation for next year! While there, we caught up with some of the cast to find out what Harry Potter fans can expect from the studio tour…

What’s it like to be back on these amazing sets again?

Julie Walters (Molly Weasley): It’s like a home from home. It’s truly lovely to be back.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy): It’s a bit strange, really, because we haven’t been here for a year and a half! But, yes, it always feels like a second home. We’re all very proud with what Warner Bros. are doing here with the Studio Tour and excited that so many people are going to get to experience what we’ve experienced over the last decade.

What can fans expect from the studio tour when it opens next year?

Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley): Authenticity. These are the real sets.

Julie: It’s all the proper stuff and proper sets that we have walked on for years.

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley): Visitors will get an essence of the scale of things – so much has gone on here! It’s not soulless.

James Phelps (Fred Weasley): The Great Hall’s a good example – anyone who’s been lucky enough to work on that set has always been so amazed by its size and everything. And fans will finally get to experience that too.

Mark: There are lots of shots from the early films of the kids coming into the hall and, you know, they weren’t acting, they really were going: “Wow!” I remember Dan and Rupert’s first reaction really well.

Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick): I think people can expect to be more amazed than they thought they’d be. I think a lot of people just assume that a lot of the sets are put in using computers after filming but, you know, as you can see today, they’re real. They actually exist as 3D sets. I think they’ll also be amazed by the scale of things, like, as you said, the Great Hall. They’re huge sets. There’s so much detail everywhere. Everything’s so authentic and as close to ‘real’ as possible.

What were your favourite sets to work with?

Nat Tena (Nymphadora Tonks): I think for me it was Sirius Black’s house. It was very weird and eerie and I remember the amazing tapestry in it so well. That was a great set to work on.

Tom: I think for me it was the Great Hall. It’s the centre hub of Hogwarts and so much has happened there over the years. I’m still entranced by it.

Which Harry Potter character would make the best tour guide?

Mark: Definitely Dobby!

Oliver Phelps (George Weasley): I think Neville would be quite good.

Julie: Neville would, yes. He’d be affable and jolly, wouldn’t he?

Bonnie: Luna would be good too. She knows her stuff!

Nat: Oh, it’s got to be Dumbledore!

Warwick: Yes, Dumbledore would be very good. Oh, but imagine Snape doing it? You can imagine him going: “Keep up please!”

Nat: Hermione would be quite thorough.

Warwick: Oh yes, she’d know all the facts… this is quite fun this game! Hagrid too! But you wouldn’t be able to see anything – he’d block everything!

Tickets are on sale now at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk. Doors open to visitors from 31 March 2012 and must be booked in advance.