Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who defined the role of Harry Potter for a generation, has shared touching details about the personal letter he sent to the young star cast as the new Boy Who Lived in HBO's upcoming television adaptation.
A Letter of Support for the Next Generation
During an appearance on Good Morning America on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the 36-year-old actor revealed he reached out to 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, who will play the titular role in the highly anticipated series. Radcliffe explained that seeing the new generation of child stars - including Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout - made him reflect on his own experience first donning the Hogwarts robes back in 2001.
"I know a few people who are working on the productions so I wrote to Dominic and I sent him a letter," Radcliffe disclosed. "He sent me a very sweet note back."
The Escape from Pretoria star was quick to clarify his intentions, joking with his trademark chirpiness: "I do not want to be a spectre in the lives of these children at all." Instead, he simply wanted to offer encouragement to the young actor stepping into the iconic role that made him world famous.
Wisdom from Experience
Radcliffe shared the heartfelt message he conveyed to McLaughlin: "I just wanted to write to him and say, 'I hope you have the best time. An even better time than I did. I had a great time but I hope you have an even better one.'"
The actor emphasized this sentiment, adding: "I do. I see pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I do look at them and 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."
This reflection comes with the wisdom of experience. Radcliffe has previously spoken candidly about his own challenges with fame, including his struggles with alcohol during the filming of the Deathly Hallows movies. In 2019, he told Off Camera that he drank to cope with the pressure of constant public scrutiny, admitting to turning up on set still drunk from the night before.
Looking Forward to HBO's New Adaptation
The original Harry Potter film series, starring Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, concluded in 2011 after eight films spanning a decade. Now, HBO is rebooting the beloved franchise as a television series with an entirely new cast.
The production has assembled an impressive ensemble including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Warwick Davies reprising his role as Professor Flitwick, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Production is currently underway with the first installment expected to reach audiences in 2027. As filming progresses, Radcliffe's gesture highlights the unique bond between actors who have shared the experience of bringing J.K. Rowling's magical world to life, despite the challenges that can accompany such monumental roles.
