HBO set for new Harry Potter series: Daniel Radcliffe reaches out to new lead

HBO is working on a new series adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, and this time it’s 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin who will bring the Harry Potter character to life in a planned long-term venture.

The role was announced following an open casting call, which also introduced Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Daniel Radcliffe says he didn’t want to wait for a formal meeting, so he took the initiative to contact the young actor himself.

The former Harry Potter star explained in an interview on Good Morning America that he wrote a letter to Dominic and that he got a “really sweet message” back.

Radcliffe emphasized that Dominic has no obligation to seek advice from him. The new lead will have his own path into the universe, and Radcliffe said the approach should feel like quiet support rather than a demand for contact.

“I don’t want to be a shadow in their lives”

In the interview, Radcliffe talked about the feeling of seeing the first images of Dominic McLaughlin and the rest of the young cast.

He said that seeing the new kids on set makes him want to hug them, and that they seem very young considering he was in the same situation.

He phrased his message to Dominic as a wish for the new Harry Potter to have “the best time ever – and an even better time than mine”.

In recent years, Radcliffe has kept his distance from new projects in the Harry Potter franchise. He has also said that he thinks the producers are making a wise decision by going for a clear break with the 00s film crew. He therefore has no plans to appear in the HBO series as a guest or in a minor supporting role.

In the same breath, he praised Tom Felton, who is now on Broadway as Draco Malfoy in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Radcliffe explained that he is genuinely happy to see his former co-star using the universe in a new way on stage.

Ten years of magic ahead on HBO

HBO describes the upcoming series as a faithful adaptation of the books. The first season is planned for eight episodes, premiering in early 2027, and the company is working on a ten-year plan, with the entire book series spread out over several seasons.

The cast around Dominic McLaughlin is now being finalized.

John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape, and Katherine Parkinson will be Molly Weasley. Warwick Davis returns as Professor Flitwick, while Louise Brealey and Anton Lesser have been spotted on set as Madam Hooch and Ollivander respectively.