Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker nepo-baby daughter, 24, has landed a coveted role in the writers’ room of HBO’s multi-million-pound Harry Potter reboot.

Ripley Parker, who has just two professional writing credits to her name, has been keeping quiet about landing her latest job inside one of the most high-profile television productions underway.

She is said to be the youngest of several writers enlisted by showrunner Francesca Gardiner for the decade-long adaptation, which began filming in July and is on track for a 2027 premiere.

Ripley joins an experienced roster that includes Andy Greenwald, Laura Neal, Martha Hillier and Sam Holcroft, working under Gardiner and director Mark Mylod to craft the new iteration of J.K. Rowling’s famous novels.

Not only does Ripley have parents in high places, but her godfather is Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original film franchise starring Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker nepo-baby daughter Ripley, 24, has landed a coveted role in the writers’ room of HBO’s multi-million-pound Harry Potter reboot (Pictured L-R: Ripley, Thandiwe, Nico) 

 Nico and Ripley are pictured with mother Thandiwe and father Ol Parker in 2019 

Ripley’s mother Thandiwe, 53, has starred in screen hits including Westworld and Crash, while her father is the writer-director behind Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Her sister, Nico Parker, 20, is also making a name for herself – in the acting world – with roles in Dumbo and The Last of Us.

In 2023, despite no professional writing experience at the time, Ripley created the Netflix series Everything Now, a semi-autobiographical teen drama inspired by her experiences with disordered eating. 

The series was praised for its candid writing and emotional insight.

She is also adapting Sarah Underwood’s bestselling fantasy novel Lies We Sing to the Sea for film.

Her latest appointment comes as Harry Potter continues its expansive production schedule across the UK and Europe. Filming has been spotted at London Zoo, King’s Cross station, Borough High Street, Cornwall, and the Ile de Sein in Brittany.

She is said to be the youngest of several writers enlisted by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (pictured in December 2022) for the decade-long adaptation, which began filming in July and is on track for a 2027 premiere

Ripley, Ol, Nico and Thandiwe are pictured at the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening at Universal Studios in LA in 2016

The reboot has assembled a substantial ensemble cast: Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton lead the series as Harry, Ron and Hermione; John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore; Janet McTeer appears as Minerva McGonagall; Paapa Essiedu portrays Severus Snape; and Nick Frost takes on the role of Hagrid. Warwick Davis has returned as Filius Flitwick.

In September, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were confirmed to have visited the Hogsmeade Station set in Windsor Great Park.

With Rowling working closely with the writers and offering positive assessments of the early scripts, the adaptation is aiming to be a faithful, long-form retelling of the original novels.

Writing on the second season has already begun, even as filming on season one continues into 2026.

Ripley’s sister Nico has forged a successful acting career (Nico and Thandiwe pictured in 2024)

Harry Potter began in July ahead of a 2027 release date (Dominic McLaughlin, who plays Harry, pictured last month)