Daniel Radcliffe may not be returning for the highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot series on Max, but he has some valuable advice for the next generation of Hogwarts stars and the producers behind the scenes.
Speaking with ET’s Rachel Smith at the 2024 Tony Awards, where the 34-year-old actor won his first Tony for his role in Merrily We Roll Along, Radcliffe shared his thoughts on the reboot. Although he isn’t sure what specific advice he’d offer the new cast, he emphasized the importance of allowing the young actors to maintain their childhood amidst the pressures of the spotlight.
“I’ve got advice for everyone else,” Radcliffe quipped. “Just like, let them be kids still. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to do that in the age of social media. We were kind of a little bit before that.”
Having portrayed Harry Potter in eight films released by Warner Bros. between 2003 and 2011, Radcliffe hopes to eventually meet the new team and share his experiences directly. “Hopefully, I will meet whoever that person is one day and I’ll be face to face,” he told ET.
In a previous interview with ET, Radcliffe expressed his contentment with seeing the story continue but confirmed he doesn’t foresee himself being part of the new series. “I doubt very much that they will,” he said regarding a potential cameo. “It seems to me that they are wanting to make a fresh series, which it feels like it’d be distracting to have old, haggard Harry also entering from stage left.”
Despite his lack of involvement, Radcliffe remains supportive of the reboot. “I’m certainly not seeking out a role in the reboot, but I am very supportive of the series moving forward,” he stated.
The announcement of the new ‘Harry Potter’ series came in April 2023, when HBO and Max officials revealed that a television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books was in development. “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon, and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World.”
Radcliffe’s focus, however, remains on his Tony-nominated musical, where he triumphed with the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Reflecting on his win, Radcliffe shared his excitement and nerves, saying, “It’s very exciting, you know, I was very calm earlier and now I’m very not calm. It’s a big night….it’s nerve-racking and exciting.”
