After playing the role of Harry Potter for more than a decade, Daniel Radcliffe is in no rush to reprise his role in an upcoming TV show adaptation destined for Max.
“It seems to me that they are wanting to make a fresh series,” the actor told Entertainment Tonight, “which it feels like it’d be distracting to have old, haggard Harry also entering from stage left.” While Radcliffe is “certainly not seeking” a role in the project, he’s “very supportive” of those who will be passed the wizarding wand. “I wish particularly, obviously, the kids nothing but the best,” he said.
As for any tips he’d offer the new cast, Radcliffe insisted, “I’m not in the business of giving anyone advice. I mean, I have definitely been thinking about the idea that there’s this set of kids out there right now who will get cast…and that is a very potentially life-changing thing. I hope I get to meet them one day, I guess, and be like, ‘Are you okay? How’s it going?’”
Three months ago, plans for a Harry Potter series overseen by author J.K. Rowling as executive producer were announced. “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,” the author said in a statement at the time.
Radcliffe has been publicly critical of Rowling since her controversial remarks about trans people in 2020 and the subsequent backlash she’s faced. “I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter,” he said in an interview with IndieWire. “Seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way.”
Casey Bloys, content chief for the new Max service, said during the official announcement of the series, “Our priority is what’s on screen. Obviously the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance.” Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Radcliffe expressed gratitude for the crew that worked consistently on all eight Harry Potter films and the community that the franchise fostered. “I hope that they’re able to achieve that on the new series, ’cause I really think that’s one of the things that allowed it to be such a good time and such a safe place to grow up,” he said. “The whole thing really felt like a big family. I encourage whoever’s making it to try and make it feel like that again.”
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