Daniel Radcliffe is offering heartfelt encouragement to the next generation of Hogwarts students. As HBO prepares its new Harry Potter series, the original film franchise star revealed on Good Morning America that he personally reached out to Dominic McLaughlin, the young actor stepping into the iconic role of Harry.
Radcliffe said he didn’t want to loom over the new cast. “I never want to be a spectre in these children’s lives," he said but still felt compelled to send McLaughlin a warm message. “I wrote Dominic a letter just wishing him the best time. I had a wonderful experience, and I hope he has an even better one,” he shared. McLaughlin responded with what Radcliffe described as “a very sweet note”.
Seeing photos of the new trio, Radcliffe admitted it stirred something emotional in him. “I look at these pictures of him and the other kids, and I just want to hug them,” he said with a laugh. “They seem so young. It’s wild to think I was doing that at their age.”
The upcoming series features an all-new ensemble: Arabella Stanton takes on Hermione Granger, while Alastair Stout steps in as Ron Weasley. The adult cast includes Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
The extended cast with supporting actors comprises Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley and Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley.
Radcliffe emphasised that no young actor owes him a conversation, but he’s rooting for them all the same. “I just hope they’re having a great time,” he said.
Francesca Gardiner is the creator, writer and showrunner for the series. She serves as an executive producer along with Mark Mylod, who directs multiple episodes of the series. Other executive producers include JK Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Bronte Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
