Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing the titular character in the popular fantasy film franchise Harry Potter, seems emotionally overwhelmed to see a new generation of actors take on the roles popularized by him, Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), and others. As HBO kickstarts production on a 10-year-long series adaptation of JK Rowling’s seven bestselling books, Radcliffe, 36, wrote a letter to Dominic McLaughlin, 11, who plays the new Harry Potter in the show.
“I wouldn’t say that anyone who is going to play Harry has to (reach out to me), but I know a few people working on the production,” Radcliffe said, adding that he even got a “sweet note sent back” to him by McLaughlin. While he didn’t reveal the contents of the letter he received, he spelled out what he penned to his successor.
“I don’t want to be a specter in the life of these children but 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 revealed on Good Morning America.
“I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, ‘Oh it’s crazy I was doing that at that age.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet and I hope they’re having a great time,” he added.
Radcliffe was also 11 when he played the Chosen One for the first time in Chris Columbus’ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001). He reprised the role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Goblet of Fire (2005), Order of the Phoenix (2007), Half-Blood Prince (2009), Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010), and Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011).
A couple of months ago, a photo released by HBO showed Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, donning the signature Hogwarts uniform paired with round-rim glasses and a lightning bolt scar, not unlike the iconic costume worn by Radcliffe in the eight-part film series.
The show began production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK last month., and is expected to debut in 2027. The network announced in late May that McLaughlin was cast as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Several high-profile actors have been announced in other key roles, including Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. Other actors include Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
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The new series adaption begins production nearly 14 years after the final movie adaption of JK Rowling’s books, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, was released in theaters. In addition to the blockbuster movies, the franchise has inspired a Broadway play, video games and theme parks since the first instalment was released 28 years ago.
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The new series will be “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books,” the network previously wrote, and “will feature an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years.”
