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Daniel Radcliffe has a message for HBO’s new Harry Potter star, and it’s already stirring excitement among fans.
A new generation is stepping into the Wizarding World, and Daniel Radcliffe says he has already reached out to the young actor taking over the role that defined his childhood.
As HBO pushes ahead with it’s Harry Potter series, the original star has offered quiet guidance from afar, hoping to ease the pressure on its newest lead.
Radcliffe spoke about the exchange during an interview on Good Morning America, reflecting on what it felt like to begin the franchise at a similar age.
Early words shared
The actor explained that he contacted 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, who will portray Harry Potter in the upcoming HBO project. Radcliffe said he knew “a few people” involved with the series and decided to send a personal message.
According to his account on the program, “I wrote to Dominic, and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back.” He stressed that he wanted the gesture to feel supportive, not intrusive.
“I just want to say, I do not want to be a specter in the lives of these children at all,” he told the show.
He added that his message simply wished that McLaughlin would “have the best time, and an even better time than I did.”
Looking back
Radcliffe said seeing early images of McLaughlin and the rest of the young cast stirred strong emotions. “I just see those pictures of him and all the other kids and I just want to hug them,” he said, recalling how strange it feels to remember filming at that age.
He described it as “incredibly sweet” to watch new actors take on roles that shaped his own youth, hoping they are “having a great time” throughout the production.
Familiar support
During the same interview, Radcliffe also praised Tom Felton, who has returned to the stage as Draco Malfoy in the Broadway run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. “I’m so happy,” Radcliffe said. “I’m super excited he’s in this, he’s on Broadway and in this show.”
His comments follow earlier warnings from Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, who cautioned McLaughlin and co-stars Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton about the pressures of growing up under global attention, saying the experience “almost destroyed” her.
New faces, new series
The HBO adaptation is moving ahead with a reimagined cast. Previously announced actors include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essidu as Severus Snape and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
Other additions spotted on set include Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. Warwick Davies will reprise his role as Professor Flitwick.
Filming continues, with fans noting scenes not featured in earlier films or books. HBO plans to premiere the eight-episode first season in early 2027.
Sources: GMA, The Guardian, IGN Nordic
