Daniel Radcliffe has officially passed the Hogwarts torch. The original Harry Potter actor revealed he sent a personal letter to Dominic McLaughlin, the young performer set to play the iconic wizard in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television reboot.
A Warm Welcome to the New Generation
Speaking on Good Morning America, Radcliffe said he wanted to personally congratulate McLaughlin after learning he had been cast as the Boy Who Lived. The letter, he explained, was simply his way of offering encouragement and sharing his excitement for the next generation stepping into the magical world he helped bring to life.
“I don’t want to be a specter in the life of these children,” Radcliffe said. “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.’”
The 36-year-old actor, who portrayed Harry Potter across eight blockbuster films from 2001 to 2011, added that McLaughlin responded with a “very sweet note back.”
Meeting the New Trio
Alongside McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton will portray Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will take on the role of Ron Weasley. The trio, announced by HBO in May, are all newcomers to major screen roles.
McLaughlin previously appeared in Grow, a Sky comedy featuring Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Stanton starred as Matilda in the West End production of the beloved musical, while Stout makes his acting debut in the highly anticipated adaptation.
Radcliffe admitted that seeing photos of the young cast brought back memories of his own early years on set.
“They just seem so young,” he said fondly. “I 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.”
A New Era for the Wizarding World
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series is set to deliver a faithful, decade-long retelling of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, with one season dedicated to each book. Production is already underway, and the first season is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
The young cast will be joined by a slate of acclaimed adult actors, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
In preparation for the years-long production, Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden—the original filming site for the movies—has even been granted permission to build a temporary school where the child actors can continue their education between shoots.
Passing the Wand
For Radcliffe, the experience of watching a new generation step into Hogwarts seems both nostalgic and emotional. Having himself been just 11 years old when he began his decade as the young wizard, his letter to McLaughlin symbolizes more than a kind gesture — it’s a true passing of the wand.
“I just see these pictures of him and the other kids, and I just want to hug them,” Radcliffe said.
The actor, who has since gone on to win a Tony Award for his role in Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, continues to support the expanding Harry Potter universe — but from a respectful distance, cheering the next generation of witches and wizards from the sidelines.
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