Daniel Radcliffe just proved he’s as gracious off-screen as Harry Potter was heroic on it. During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, the 36-year-old actor revealed that he sent a touching letter to Dominic McLaughlin, the 11-year-old who’s stepping into the iconic role in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series.
The news came while Radcliffe was promoting his upcoming Broadway show, and honestly, it’s the kind of wholesome content we all need right now. “I wrote to Dominic and sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back,” Radcliffe shared with the morning show hosts.
What makes this gesture even sweeter is Radcliffe’s thoughtful approach to the situation. He made it clear that he doesn’t want to overshadow the new generation of young actors taking on these beloved roles. “I don’t want to be a specter in the life of these children but I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time,’” the actor explained.
The connection between the two actors goes beyond just the role they share. McLaughlin is currently the same age Radcliffe was when he first donned those round glasses and grabbed his wand back in 2001. The original film franchise became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $7.7 billion worldwide across eight films.
Radcliffe’s emotional response to seeing the new cast speaks volumes about his character. When talking about McLaughlin and his young co-stars, he admitted he just wants to give them all a hug. The actor reflected on how young they all look, recalling his own days as a child star navigating the massive world of Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, McLaughlin is currently filming the HBO series in the U.K. alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The show is set to premiere in 2027 on HBO and Max, bringing J.K. Rowling‘s beloved books to life in a fresh television format.
The Tony Award-winning actor’s gesture shows that even after all these years, the magic of Harry Potter continues to bring people together in the most genuine ways.