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Dominic McLaughlin is stepping into the spotlight in a way few child actors ever do. While promoting his latest film Grow, the rising star was asked about his next big project—playing Harry Potter in HBO’s upcoming series adaptation of the beloved fantasy saga. For McLaughlin, donning the Hogwarts robes for the first time felt like stepping into a lifelong dream. In a recent BBC News interview, he described the moment as “a bit surreal,” noting that, as a longtime fan of the franchise, he still finds it hard to believe he now embodies the Chosen One.
McLaughlin’s casting was officially announced on May 27, 2025, alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Together, the trio represents the new generation of faces set to reintroduce J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World to audiences in HBO’s high-profile retelling of the saga. At just 11 years old, McLaughlin is already carrying the weight of immense expectation, but his early comments show excitement rather than nerves. He emphasized that taking on the role is nothing short of thrilling, not intimidating, and he is eager to honor the magic of the original series.
The young actor reportedly secured the role after attending a September 2024 casting call, beating out thousands of hopefuls worldwide. His journey mirrors that of Daniel Radcliffe more than two decades ago, when Radcliffe’s portrayal came to define Harry Potter for an entire generation. Now, McLaughlin takes the baton with the chance to redefine the character for a new era of fans.
Interestingly, McLaughlin’s transition into the Wizarding World comes alongside his big-screen debut in Grow, where he stars opposite Nick Frost. In a fitting twist, Frost himself is set to appear in the HBO series as Rubeus Hagrid, further intertwining the young actor’s breakout role with his biggest one yet. With filming already underway as of July 14, anticipation is steadily building.
For Dominic McLaughlin, the surreal has already become reality—he isn’t just playing Harry Potter, he is the new Harry Potter.