Serb News Today — August 12, 2026
U.K.’s Largest Harry Potter Store Opening in London Ahead of HBO Series Launch and more — today's serb signal.
Get ready to dive into the latest entertainment news. Excitement is building for the upcoming HBO series, with not one but two major announcements: the U.K.'s largest Harry Potter store is opening in London just ahead of the show's launch, and Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in season 2. Fans of the wizarding world are likely thrilled to see the franchise getting even more attention, and with the new store and casting news, it's clear that Harry Potter mania is in full swing.
But that's not all - there's plenty of other entertainment news to catch up on. Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi and Jim Deddes are leading a new project called 'Maalstroom', with a first-look image just released. Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at Sabrina Carpenter's 'Taste' video, and 'Obsession' star Inde Navarrette is sharing her personal style and favorite horror movies. On the film side, a new review is out for 'The Brink of War', which follows a verbal battle between Reagan and Gorbachev - but does it live up to expectations?
Today's signal:
• U.K.’s Largest Harry Potter Store Opening in London Ahead of HBO Series Launch (variety.com)
• Oscar Nominee Barkhad Abdi, Jim Deddes Lead Teddy Cherim’s ‘Maalstroom’; First-Look Image Released (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• Jenna Ortega Reveals the Surprising Detail Behind Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Taste’ Video (rollingstone.com)
• ‘The Brink of War’ Review: Reagan and Gorbachev Engage in Unengaging Verbal Battle (variety.com)
• ‘Obsession’ Star Inde Navarrette Shares Her Freaky Nikki Style, Favorite Horror Movies, and Go-To Jeans (rollingstone.com)
• Nicholas Hoult to Play Gilderoy Lockhart in ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series Season 2 (variety.com)