During an interview, Oliver Phelps reminisced about filming the Harry Potter Great Hall sequences, explaining how the set had a distinctive and somewhat unpleasant scent.
"Even now, if I watch any of those scenes, I can still smell roasting or oiled vegetables — which isn't as magical as it looked on screen," said Oliver Phelps.
The actor revealed that the aroma often reminded the cast of “smelly socks.” This smell came from the combination of warm studio lights, food props, and large numbers of people gathered during filming sessions.
The filmmakers used real food to enhance authenticity, but under the heat of production lights, it created lingering odors throughout the day. Despite the discomfort, the actors agreed that these scenes captured the spirit and grandeur of the Hogwarts Great Hall perfectly.
“It looked stunning on camera, but the smell was something we’ll never forget,” Phelps laughed.
Author’s summary: Cast members of Harry Potter recall that while the Great Hall scenes looked enchanting on screen, filming them was marked by the persistent odor of cooked vegetables and sweaty socks.