Daniel Radcliffe has kept in touch with his Hogwarts friends even as a new generation of actors steps into the world of Harry Potter. The two-time Emmy nominee recently told People that he’s spoken with Emma Watson and Rupert Grint about how surreal it feels to see fresh faces take on the story years after the original films. The trio isn’t trading many messages about the HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, but they all share the same sense of wonder as Dominic McLaughlin steps into the role of Harry, Alastair Stout portrays Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton takes on Hermione Granger.
Radcliffe reflected on the phenomenon, saying, “We all understand how the others feel because we’re going through it too.” He added that when he sees pictures of the new cast, his first instinct is to reach out and offer a hug. Grint has shared a similar sentiment, noting the emotional pull of the new cast, and he and Radcliffe have even written letters to their successors as a gesture of encouragement.
Watson, Grint, and Radcliffe appeared in all eight of the original Harry Potter films, released from 2001 to 2011. The HBO series is slated to premiere in early 2027 and has been filming in the United Kingdom since the summer. The show’s adult leads include John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Janet McTeer.
Francesca Gardiner is the writer and executive producer, with Mark Mylod serving as executive producer and directing several episodes. The project is a collaboration between HBO and Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers including Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts (Brontë), and David Heyman (Heyday Films). Hans Zimmer has been brought on as the composer.
