Daniel Radcliffe has reached out to the next Harry Potter — but not via owl post.
During an appearance on Good Morning America on Nov. 18, Radcliffe, 36, discussed the forthcoming HBO adaptation of Harry Potter, which will star 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as the titular wizard. Radcliffe revealed that he sent a handwritten letter to McLaughlin after connecting with a few people involved in the production, and received a heartfelt note in return.
“I just wanted to write to him 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 time,’” Radcliffe said. He added that seeing photos of McLaughlin and the rest of the young cast — including Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger — makes him want to “hug them.” Radcliffe emphasized he doesn’t want to overshadow the young actors, saying, “I do not want to be a specter in the light of these children.”
The highly anticipated HBO series began production in July and is set to premiere in 2027. Each of the seven seasons will adapt one of J.K. Rowling’s original books, introducing a mix of new and familiar faces. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu takes on Professor Snape, Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy, and Warwick Davis will reprise his role as Professor Filius Flitwick. HBO and Max chairman Casey Bloys promised that the series will remain true to the books while offering audiences a fresh perspective on Hogwarts.
Although Radcliffe will not appear in the series, he has expressed excitement about watching it as a fan. Meanwhile, he is set to star in the play Every Brilliant Thing, which previews Feb. 21, 2026, at the Hudson Theatre, with opening night on March 12. Radcliffe called the project “exciting and different from anything else I’ve ever done before” and said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Reflecting on the new Harry Potter cast, Radcliffe said, “They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, ‘Oh it’s crazy I was doing that.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet and I hope they’re having a great time.” The series promises to introduce a new generation to the magic of Hogwarts while honoring the legacy of the original films.
