HBO is bringing the Harry Potter saga back to life with a new television series, appointing Dominic McLaughlin as the next actor to step into the shoes of the Boy Wizard. As McLaughlin begins this major chapter in his career, Daniel Radcliffe, who famously portrayed Harry Potter in the original film franchise, wrote a personal letter of encouragement—a gesture that left a significant impression on McLaughlin, aligning with the excitement surrounding the Daniel Radcliffe letter to McLaughlin.
Receiving Advice from the Former Harry Potter
During a recent interview on BBC’s Saturday Mash-Up! Live, McLaughlin spoke about how he felt receiving Radcliffe’s letter while traveling back to Glasgow. He shared the impact of this unexpected moment:
“My Dad tapped me on the train and just gave me this letter,”
Dominic McLaughlin, Actor
“I read it and then I got to the bottom, and it said, ‘Dan R.’ I was going mad, but I had to [keep cool]. I was on the train.”
Dominic McLaughlin, Actor
Filming Progress and On-Set Camaraderie
McLaughlin discussed his experiences on set so far and described the atmosphere among the cast as positive and welcoming. When asked how production was advancing, he remarked:
“It’s going amazing, it’s going really well. I’ve made good friends with everyone, it’s great to be there.”
Dominic McLaughlin, Actor
Challenges of Adapting Harry Potter for Modern Television
Dominic McLaughlin is set to follow in Daniel Radcliffe’s footsteps, potentially dedicating the next decade of his career to the iconic role. However, the adaptation faces modern television challenges—particularly the risk of significant gaps between seasons. Such delays could lead to the youthful cast aging out of their roles before the series concludes, a problem HBO is keen to avoid given the continuity required with each book representing a year in the characters’ lives.
Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO, addressed this challenge directly:
“The plan is to still try and get it — I don’t know if it’s going to be like stop shooting Season 1 on Friday and start Season 2 on Monday. There’ll be a break in there, but we’re going to do whatever we can to not have a huge gap.”
Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO
“For the kids, obviously, but also for viewers,”
Casey Bloys explained,
“You know, trying to not have massive gaps. It is a big show, lots of special effects, obviously, massive operation, but we’re going to do what we can.”
Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO
Meet the New Cast of Hogwarts and Beyond
Dominic McLaughlin headlines the upcoming series as Harry Potter, joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Additional Hogwarts students are portrayed by Lox Pratt (Draco Malfoy), Rory Wilmot (Neville Longbottom), Tristan Harland (Fred Weasley), Gabriel Harland (George Weasley), Ruari Spooner (Percy Weasley), Gracie Cochrane (Ginny Weasley), Leo Earley (Seamus Finnigan), Alessia Leoni (Parvati Patil), Sienna Moosah (Lavender Brown), Amos Kitson (Dudley Dursley), Elijah Oshin (Dean Thomas), Finn Stephens (Vincent Crabbe), and William Nash (Gregory Goyle).
The adult cast includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey, and Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick. Also joining the ensemble are Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, and Leigh Gill as Griphook.
Production Team and Creative Leadership
The series is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will serve as executive producer and direct several episodes. The show is a collaboration between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, with J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, along with David Heyman of Heyday Films, contributing as executive producers.
What Awaits Viewers as the Series Approaches
HBO’s Harry Potter television series is slated to premiere in 2027. As anticipation grows, the production must balance technical ambition and the necessity of keeping the young cast in line with their literary counterparts’ ages. With a globally renowned creative team and high-profile cast, the show is expected to attract longstanding fans of both the novels and the original film series, as well as introduce new audiences to the story. The impact of Daniel Radcliffe’s letter to McLaughlin highlights the legacy and importance of the role, underscoring the unique position of incoming cast members as they take on these beloved characters in a new era of storytelling.
Dominic McLaughlin talks about getting a letter from ‘the man himself’, Daniel Radcliffe, and filming the HARRY POTTER TV series pic.twitter.com/Po9ws3gXLQ
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) November 30, 2025
