The beloved character Harry Potter will have a new face as Dominic McLaughlin, an 11-year-old Scottish actor, prepares to star in HBO’s highly anticipated reboot. McLaughlin recently spoke to the BBC at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where his latest film, Grow, is debuting, sharing his thoughts on stepping into one of pop culture’s most iconic roles for the new series.
Reflecting on the experience of wearing the famous costume for the first time, McLaughlin described it as surreal, highlighting how meaningful the role is to him personally. He expressed his excitement for the opportunity, noting the dreamlike quality of becoming the character he admired as a child.
“It was a bit surreal to be honest, I was always a big Harry Potter fan when I was younger,” he said. “It’s a dream role, and I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.” —Dominic McLaughlin, Actor
New Cast Members and Series Ambitions Revealed
McLaughlin’s casting was announced in May, ending widespread curiosity about who would succeed Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter in eight blockbuster films. The reboot will also feature Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The series plans to adapt each book into its own season, promising a more detailed exploration of the Wizarding World than ever before.
The show has assembled a distinguished supporting cast, including Nick Frost as Hagrid, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Janet McTeer as McGonagall. Filming began over the summer, and recent images have shown McLaughlin working alongside Frost in London, even causing brief traffic halts while heading to the iconic Leaky Cauldron set.
Ambitions Beyond Harry: McLaughlin’s Hopes for Future Roles
Despite the immense pressure that comes with embodying such a legendary character, McLaughlin conveyed a playful confidence about his future. When asked about other notable roles he might want to play as he grows older, he jokingly considered taking on some of the major adult characters from the Harry Potter universe.
“It depends if my hair’s turned white yet! I feel like Dumbledore would be fun. I don’t know, he just seems like a very strange character, he’s just a funny guy. Who else would I like to play? Voldemort would be fun.” —Dominic McLaughlin, Actor
The Lasting Impact of the Harry Potter Legacy
For many children of McLaughlin’s generation, the Harry Potter books and films were central to their childhoods, and now McLaughlin himself has transitioned from longtime fan to the new “boy who lived.” The HBO reboot is poised to breathe fresh life into the franchise with its ambitious storytelling and star-studded cast.
The new series is scheduled to premiere in 2027, offering fans a chance to reimagine the Wizarding World through a deeper and more expansive lens. With Dominic McLaughlin leading the charge, the show hopes to capture the magic that captivated audiences around the world while adding its own unique touch.
