Daniel Radcliffe Sent a Quiet, Kind Note to the New Harry Potter - And Hopes the Kids Have a Better Time Than He Did
There's something moving about watching one generation hand the wand to the next. Daniel Radcliffe (movies and tv series), now 36, reached out to 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin (movies and tv series) - the new Harry Potter in HBO's series - with a simple message: have fun. And honestly, that's what you want to hear if you're a kid about to carry a global franchise on your back.
Radcliffe said he wrote to McLaughlin after hearing from friends working on the production. Speaking on Good Morning America, he explained he wanted to offer support without hovering. Here's the segment.
"I know a few people that are working on the [TV series] production," he said. "So I wrote to Dominic - and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back."
"I just want to say, I do not want to be a specter in the lives of these children at all," he added. "But I just wanted to say, 'I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did. I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better one.'"
And then the line that lands if you've ever looked at an old photo of yourself and winced a little: "I just see those pictures of him and all the other kids and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young (movies and tv series). I do look at them and I go, 'Oh, it's crazy that I was doing that at that age.' But it's also incredibly sweet, and I hope they're having a great time."
Radcliffe also had warm words for his old co-star Tom Felton (movies and tv series), who's back as Draco Malfoy - this time on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. "I'm so happy," he said. "I'm super excited he's in this, he's on Broadway and in this show." If you're curious, the production details live on the play's official site: harrypottertheplay.com.
Where the HBO series stands: cast, filming, and what's new
Production is moving. Fans have already spotted filming and, notably, work on fresh scenes that weren't in the books or past movies. Here's who's in so far:
- John Lithgow (movies and tv series) as Albus Dumbledore
- Paapa Essiedu (movies and tv series) as Severus Snape
- Katherine Parkinson (movies and tv series) as Molly Weasley
- Louise Brealey (movies and tv series) as Madam Rolanda Hooch
- Anton Lesser (movies and tv series) as Garrick Ollivander
- Warwick Davis (movies and tv series) returning as Professor Flitwick
The plan right now: an eight-episode first season, with the series expected to debut on HBO in early 2027. That timeline gives the team room to make bold choices - like those added scenes - while fans adjust to a new trio stepping into roles many grew up with.
The human part of this handoff
It's easy to forget how young these kids are until you see them lined up in school robes. Sophie Turner (movies and tv series), who started Game of Thrones at 13, recently warned how growing up in the spotlight can grind you down. Different show, same pressure. Her point lands here.
So Radcliffe's letter matters. It's not a headline grab. It's a former child actor telling a new one the job can be joyful, and that it's okay to enjoy it. Here's what this could mean: a set that gives its young leads space, a fan base that stays patient, and a show that remembers heart beats hype every time.
