Dominic McLaughlin Recalls 'Insane' Letter from Daniel Radcliffe: 'I Was Going Mad'

It's a moment that reads like a scene straight out of the wizarding world—but for Dominic McLaughlin, the newly cast Harry Potter in HBO's upcoming series, the magic was very real. In an exclusive interview with BBC's Saturday Mash-Up! Live, the young actor opened up about the jaw-dropping experience of receiving a personal letter from none other than Daniel Radcliffe, the original Boy Who Lived.

Surprise on the Glasgow Express

Picture this: McLaughlin, a 13-year-old from Glasgow, is riding the train home with his father after a long day of filming. Suddenly, his dad taps him on the shoulder and hands him an envelope. Inside? A handwritten note with the chilling sign-off: "Dan R."

“It was insane,” McLaughlin beamed during the interview. “I read it and then I got to the bottom, and it said, ‘Dan R.’ I was going mad, but I had to [keep cool]. I was on the train.”

The raw excitement in his voice underscores one of the most poignant passing-of-the-torch moments in Hollywood history. Radcliffe, who portrayed the bespectacled wizard for a decade across eight blockbuster films, took time out of his busy schedule to welcome the new star to the fold.

Radcliffe's Encouraging Words

Earlier this fall, Radcliffe revealed to press that he had penned a letter to McLaughlin. “I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them,” Radcliffe admitted. “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 gesture is a testament to the camaraderie between generations of Potter actors. Radcliffe has long spoken about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, and his message likely carried the wisdom of someone who has walked the same enchanted halls.

The Massive Search for the New Trio

McLaughlin's casting was announced in May 2025 after an exhaustive global search. A staggering 32,000 young hopefuls auditioned for the roles of Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger—making it one of the largest open casting calls in television history.

• Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
• Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
• Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger

While Stout and Stanton were also confirmed, it's McLaughlin who carries the weight of a global franchise on his young shoulders. He's already been filming throughout the summer, and according to his own account, it's going better than even he could have imagined.

“It’s going amazing, it’s going really well,” he told the BBC. “I’ve made good friends with everyone, it’s great to be there.”

Behind the Scenes of the HBO Reboot

HBO's Harry Potter series—a faithful, season-by-season adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novels—has been one of the most anticipated announcements in contemporary television. With a rumored budget exceeding that of the original films, the network is pulling out all the stops to bring the magic to a new generation.

McLaughlin isn't just a one-trick wizard, either. He recently appeared on the show to promote his other major project: CBBC's Gifted, a supernatural drama about a group of Scottish teens who discover they have extraordinary powers. The irony of a young actor playing a wizard and then a superhero isn't lost on fans—or on McLaughlin himself.

The Gifted role gave him valuable on-set experience before stepping into the Hogwarts hallways. “The ensemble cast in Gifted taught me how to collaborate and handle intense schedules,” he once noted in an interview. “Now, on the Harry Potter set, I feel battle-ready.”

Fan & Industry Reactions

News of Radcliffe's letter sent the fandom into a frenzy. Social media lit up with reactions from Potterheads around the world, many of whom grew up with Radcliffe's Harry and are now passing the fandom down to their own children.

“This is the wholesome content we needed,” one fan tweeted. “Daniel Radcliffe passing the torch to Dominic McLaughlin is everything.”

Industry insiders also note the strategic importance of such a gesture. The Harry Potter brand has endured controversies—Rowling's comments on gender identity have been particularly polarizing—but the series itself retains a fiercely loyal following. Radcliffe's public support for the new cast helps bridge any generational tensions and signals that the original stars are behind the reboot.

What's Next: A New Era of Magic

Filming is expected to continue through 2026, with HBO aiming for a 2027 premiere. The series will consist of multiple seasons, giving McLaughlin and his co-stars the rare opportunity to grow up on screen, much like their predecessors did.

For McLaughlin, the journey is just beginning. Between mastering wand work, rehearsing Quidditch choreography, and navigating the surreal experience of being recognized in public, he remains grounded. “I'm just a kid from Glasgow who got really lucky,” he told the BBC with a grin. “And I got a letter from Harry Potter himself—that’s not too shabby.”

The future of the franchise is bright, and if Radcliffe's letter is any indication, the magic is in good hands.

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