Dominic McLaughlin, who will play Harry Potter in HBO‘s upcoming series adaptation, has spoken about being cast in the iconic role for the first time.
While promoting his new film “Grow” — which McLaughlin stars in alongside Nick Frost, who plays Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” series — the young actor was asked by BBC News how it felt to transform into Harry.
“A bit surreal to be honest, because I was always a huge ‘Harry Potter’ fan when I was younger,” McLaughlin said. “And it was like the dream role, of course, so I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.”
The “Harry Potter” series is currently in production in the U.K., which is expected to continue through spring 2026. Alongside McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton stars as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The young trio were selected from more than 30,000 actors who auditioned in a casting call last fall.
HBO revealed a first look of McLaughlin as Potter last month, with his costume including Hogwarts robes and the character’s signature scar and round glasses. The first photo of Frost as Hagrid debuted soon after.
The cast also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
HBO’s “Harry Potter” series will premiere in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max where available. Francesca Gardiner (“His Dark Materials,” “Killing Eve”) serves as writer and showrunner, with Mark Mylod (“Succession”) directing. Gardiner and Mylod are executive producing alongside series author J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. The “Harry Potter” series is being made by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.
