In a touching gesture that bridges the gap between the Wizarding World's past and future, Daniel Radcliffe has personally written to the young actor stepping into his iconic role. The original Harry Potter star revealed he sent a letter of advice and encouragement to 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, who has been cast as the boy wizard in HBO's upcoming television adaptation.
A Magical Handover
Speaking to Good Morning America on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Radcliffe confirmed the heartwarming correspondence. The 36-year-old actor explained that while reaching out wasn't obligatory, he felt compelled to offer support as filming commenced for the highly anticipated series. "I wrote to Dominic and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back," Radcliffe shared, confirming the exchange had already taken place.
Production for the new HBO adaptation officially began in July 2025, though audiences won't see the results until 2027. The series plans to adapt each of J.K. Rowling's seven books into individual seasons, promising a more comprehensive exploration of the beloved stories than the original film franchise could accommodate.
Passing the Wand Without Casting a Shadow
Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter across eight films over a decade, was particularly thoughtful about his approach to the new generation. He expressed his desire not to loom over their interpretations of the characters. "I did not want to be a spectre in the light of their own portrayals," the actor explained, highlighting his wish for the young cast to make the roles their own.
His message to McLaughlin was simple yet profound: "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 added that seeing pictures of the new young cast members made him want to "hug them," though he admitted his initial reaction to their youth was one of astonishment.
New Faces and Familiar Places
The HBO production will feature a fresh cast of young actors taking on the central trio of Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, alongside established actors in supporting roles. While the series aims to be "authentic to the original books," it will welcome some familiar faces from the film adaptations. Warwick Davis has confirmed he will return to play Filius Flitwick, creating a bridge between the two productions.
However, Radcliffe has definitively ruled out making any appearance himself. In an interview with E! in May 2024, he stated he was "very excited to watch as an audience member" and didn't believe incorporating the original trio would "work." This clear separation allows the new adaptation to establish its own identity while honouring what came before.
As the Wizarding World expands onto television screens, this symbolic passing of the torch from Radcliffe to McLaughlin represents both an ending and a beginning—proving that while actors may change, the magic of Harry Potter continues to captivate new generations.
