Daniel Radcliffe recently revealed that he reached out to Dominic McLaughlin, the 11-year-old actor chosen to play Harry Potter in HBO’s upcoming series. 

Speaking on Good Morning America, Radcliffe said he didn’t feel obligated to call or write, but he wanted to show his support. 

In the letter, he told McLaughlin: “I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did.” 

He added that although his own experience was amazing, he truly hopes McLaughlin’s journey will surpass it. 

Radcliffe also expressed how seeing photos of McLaughlin and the rest of the cast — including Arabella Stanton (Hermione) and Alastair Stout (Ron) — stirred a tender feeling in him.

“They just seem so young … I just want to hug them,” he said. 

Radcliffe made it clear he doesn't want to cast a shadow over the new cast. “I don’t want to be a specter in their lives,” he said, emphasizing that his letter was meant purely as encouragement. 

McLaughlin apparently replied with “a very sweet note,” something Radcliffe clearly valued. 

The HBO Harry Potter series is set to begin in 2027.

Joining McLaughlin are John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.