New HARRY POTTER Star Dominic McLaughlin Says Landing His "Dream Role" Role Was “A Bit Surreal”
HBO’s Harry Potter series is officially underway, and stepping into the iconic role of The Boy Who Lived is none other than Dominic McLaughlin. The young actor is still wrapping his head around landing what he calls his “dream role” in one of the most beloved fantasy franchises of all time.
While doing press for his new indie drama Grow, McLaughlin opened up about his love for the wizarding world and how surreal it is to now be at the center of it.He told BBC News:
“A bit surreal to be honest, because I was always a huge Harry Potter fan when I was younger, and it was like the dream role, of course, so I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.”
It’s gotta be a pretty awesome feeling for a kid to land a big role like this! HBO recently kicked off production on the series at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, the same lot that housed the original film series.
The show is being billed as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga, and it’s expected to unfold over the course of a decade.
Joining McLaughlin are Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The ensemble cast is stacked with talent, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell.
Other cast members include Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, 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, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
Behind the camera, Francesca Gardiner is leading the charge as writer and executive producer, with Mark Mylod set to direct multiple episodes. The project is being produced in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television, with Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman all serving as executive producers.
HBO’s Harry Potter series is shaping up to be a major streaming event, and with McLaughlin bringing new life to Harry, longtime fans and a new generation of viewers have a lot to look forward to.