HBO’s new Harry Potter reboot series hasn’t even started airing yet, but it’s already generating headlines. The latest comes courtesy of Daniel Radcliffe, the original Harry himself, who has now confirmed that he personally reached out to Dominic McLaughlin, the young actor taking over the iconic role.
Radcliffe revealed the story during an appearance on Good Morning America, explaining that while he never expected anyone stepping into the role to contact him, he did want to offer encouragement. That encouragement turned into a handwritten note — and a heartfelt response from McLaughlin.
Dominic McLaughlin in his wizarding robes as Harry Potter – HBO
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“I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did,'” Radcliffe said. “‘I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time.’ And I do. I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I just 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.”
The HBO reboot, slated for 2027, features an all-new cast of child actors and is expected to follow the original books season by season — one of the most ambitious long-form adaptations in recent memory. Reports also note that Warner Bros. built a full temporary school on set so the young actors can continue their education during what is expected to be nearly a decade of filming.
Radcliffe’s Public Break With J.K. Rowling Still Hangs Over Everything
No matter how positive his message to the new Harry Potter is, Radcliffe’s relationship with the franchise is fundamentally different than it was during the 2000s. His very public split with J.K. Rowling over gender politics made international headlines, and it’s undeniable that Radcliffe has positioned himself outside the creative world that launched his career.
Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Warner Bros. Pictures
Meanwhile, Rowling is not only credited on the new adaptation — she remains an executive producer and is still deeply involved in shaping the new Harry Potter series. In other words: she’s in, he’s out. But interestingly, his comments show no bitterness about it. If anything, there’s a sense of nostalgia — even protectiveness — toward the next generation stepping into roles that defined an era of pop culture.
What This Means for the Upcoming HBO Series
For now, Radcliffe’s letter to the new Harry Potter represents something rare: goodwill during a reboot era where legacy stars often avoid commenting at all. Whether fans agree with his personal stances or not, his message to the new cast landed as genuinely heartfelt — and it ensures his presence is still felt, even if only symbolically, in the project.
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Warner Bros. Pictures
The new series continues filming into 2026, with early footage expected sometime next year. HBO is clearly betting big on this franchise, and moments like these — bridging the gap between old and new — only build anticipation.
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