Phelps Twins Just Reminded Us Why We Miss Harry Potter So Much
'One thing we always wanted was for the audience to feel like they are on the journey with us.'
James and Oliver Phelps' Fantastic Friends could have been just another travel show following celebs around doing fun stuff.
But it was so much more. The twins' idea for a show was superbly executed and invited viewers into the adventure – partly because there were so many familiar faces.
As Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, James and Oliver provided many light-hearted moments amidst the battle between good and evil raging in the wizarding world And they've brought that same sense of fun to Fantastic Friends, which is about to return for its second season.
Aside from the adrenaline-pumping action, the twins said they 'wanted to show not just the nice parts of travel but (the) parts people may forget – the early starts, long days, getting lost' to take the audience along for the ride.
But perhaps their biggest success was inviting Harry Potter co-stars Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and their on-screen sister Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).
One thing that really stood out was that they all got on so well. It was like a little Harry Potter reunion – and it was great to see some familiar faces back together.
Another fantasy star who appeared in Season 1 was Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones.
As well as chatting to their guest stars, the twins engage in some high-octane pursuits on land, in the air and underwater.
And the new season looks set to be just as exciting. This time they'll be joined by the patriarch of the Weasley household, Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), among others. Keeping the Game of Thrones link alive, Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy) joins Oliver and James in Florida.
'Fantastic Friends was Oliver's brainchild,' the twins told Deadline, 'but we found out straight away that our friends who joined us for season 1 were fully behind it'.
Season 1 took them to various locations in Europe and as far afield as Dubai and St Lucia. And the forthcoming season will see them travel the world, with episodes set in Patagonia, Singapore, Australia and Belize.
So if you fancy a trip around the world and down memory lane, check out the official trailer and add Fantastic Friends Season 2 to your watch list.
Source: Deadline.