Dominic McLaughlin, the young actor cast as the lead in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, recently opened up about his experience stepping into the iconic role of the boy wizard. The 11-year-old actor, in an interview promoting the British film Grow, spoke about his excitement and the surreal feeling of putting on Harry Potter’s signature costume for the first time.
When asked by a BBC reporter what it felt like to step into the shoes of Harry Potter, McLaughlin described the moment as “a bit surreal.” He explained that his longtime love for the Harry Potter series made it even more thrilling to take on the role.
“I was always a huge Harry Potter fan when I was younger,” McLaughlin said. “It was the dream role, of course. I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.”
McLaughlin, who was announced earlier this year as the new Harry Potter, replaces Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the wizard in the film series from 2001 to 2011. Radcliffe’s portrayal of Harry, alongside Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, became a defining part of the franchise.
In the new series, McLaughlin is joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione, Alastair Stout as Ron, and Nick Frost as the Hogwarts groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. Frost’s portrayal follows that of the late Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the films.
The show’s impressive cast also includes John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
Despite the excitement surrounding the show, the development of the new Harry Potter series has sparked controversy, particularly due to the views of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, whose comments on transgender issues have drawn criticism.
In response to the backlash, Essiedu, who portrays Snape in the series, joined several other actors in signing an open letter supporting the trans community. The letter came after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a measure supported by Rowling that sought to define womanhood based on biological sex, a ruling that Rowling celebrated.
Despite fan speculation that Rowling might remove Essiedu from the project, she clarified on X that she would not intervene in casting decisions. “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series,” Rowling stated. “I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
HBO’s Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of content at HBO and HBO Max, also addressed concerns that the series might be influenced by Rowling’s views. “Harry Potter is not being secretly infused with anything,” he said during an appearance on The Town podcast. “And she’s entitled to those views. And I think people are pretty clear that she’s entitled to them.”
