Some roles are exciting. Some roles are terrifying. And some feel like stepping straight into a dream. For Dominic McLaughlin, the new Harry Potter, this huge dreamy moment came off-set.
Fans may be waiting for the HBO cameras to capture his big debut as Harry Potter, but Dominic’s own “big moment” came during one of his costume trials.
The First Time In ‘Harry Potter’ Costume
When McLaughlin initially opened up to answer how it felt to be Harry Potter, his first reaction was one of hesitation. He definitely wasn’t aiming for the headlines. Instead of mentioning the weight of the franchise or the pressure of living up to expectations, he talked about how he felt.
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And then he said the words fans will remember: the first time he wore Harry’s robes, scar, and glasses, it was “a bit surreal.” For a kid who grew up loving the books and films, this was an epic “fan moment.” “It was the dream role, of course,” he added, and you could hear the excitement coming through.
It’s like we can picture him frozen in front of the mirror; half thrilled, half stunned, just like Harry felt while stepping into Hogwarts for the very first time. If Dominic is feeling that same awe behind the scenes, chances are it’ll spill straight onto the screen.
Hogwarts Comes Alive Again
Of course, the magic doesn’t rest on his shoulders alone. Dominic is joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron, with the trio chosen from over 30,000 hopefuls. Their bond will be at the heart of the new Harry Potter story, just as it was for the original trio.
The supporting cast is equally star-studded and exciting. John Lithgow takes on the role of Albus Dumbledore, and Janet McTeer brings stern wisdom as Professor McGonagall. Nick Frost, known for his warmth and humor, will portray Hagrid, and he already shares on-screen chemistry with Dominic, as the two also appear together in the film Grow. Beyond them, the lineup will bring in peeps from the wizarding world. Paapa Essiedu will play the complex and mysterious Snape, Katherine Parkinson is set as the warm-hearted Molly Weasley, and Lox Pratt will face off as Draco Malfoy.
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The Dursleys, too, are back in play; Bel Powley as Aunt Petunia, Daniel Rigby as Uncle Vernon, and Amos Kitson as Dudley. Elsewhere, Rory Wilmot will bring Neville Longbottom to life. At the same time, Louise Brealey joins as Madam Hooch, Anton Lesser takes on Ollivander, and Leo Earle, Alessia Leoni, and Sienna Moosah round out the younger cast as Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown.
Production is already underway in the U.K., with the series set to premiere in 2027, and we are all eagerly awaiting the first trailer. And this time, the actor behind the glasses is just as amazed by the magic as the fans watching.
