- Primary Subject: Harry Potter
- Key Update: Dominic McLaughlin will star as the new Harry Potter in HBO's upcoming TV series adaptation.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: November 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: 12-year-old Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin will star as Harry Potter in HBO's series premiere on December 25, 2026.
HBO is gearing up for its upcoming adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. After Daniel Radcliffe portrayed the Boy Who Lived on the big screen for a decade, from 2001 to 2011, a new young actor is set to take over the wizarding world and introduce the beloved character to a new generation.
So, who is the new Harry Potter, and what makes him the perfect choice for the role?
Who Plays Harry Potter in HBO’s TV Adaptation?
Stepping into the role of an iconic character like Harry Potter is no easy feat, especially after Daniel Radcliffe set the bar for how the Chosen One should be portrayed on the big screen.
Sure, comparisons are inevitable, but newcomer Dominic McLaughlin is ready to take on the challenge as he assumes the mantle of the new Undesirable No. 1.
The 12-year-old Scottish actor joined the cast of the upcoming HBO series when he was just 11, the same age Radcliffe was when he first took on the role in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Following his casting announcement, his school, Performance Academy Scotland, celebrated the achievement in an Instagram post, expressing how proud it was of its student.
“If we could cast a spell to see our brilliant performer Dominic on screen sooner… we absolutely would! Dominic has officially stepped onto set, filming is now underway!” it read.
While this might be the first time his name has gained international attention, McLaughlin is not entirely new to the acting business.
In fact, his on-screen debut came in the 2025 Sky family comedy Grow, where he worked alongside British actor Nick Frost, who also joins the Harry Potter TV series as Hagrid.
He was also part of the cast of the BBC adventure drama Gifted, based on Marilyn Kaye’s novel of the same name.
With his early acting experience, McLaughlin has already shown that he has the potential to become the next Boy Who Lived.
How Did Dominic McLaughlin Get the Role of Harry Potter?
When the casting search for Harry Potter began in September 2024, Dominic McLaughlin was selected from more than 40,000 children who auditioned for the role, alongside the actors chosen to play Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director and executive producer Mark Mylod then announced the three young actors selected for the iconic roles.
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” they said.
In addition to McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout also joined the cast as Hermione and Ron, respectively. The characters were previously portrayed by Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the films.
In an interview with the BBC, the new Harry Potter actor revealed that he had always been a huge fan of J.K. Rowling’s book series. In fact, he described the project as his “dream role.”
"I'm thrilled to be able to be doing it," he said.
After years of anticipation, HBO's Harry Potter series is finally set to premiere on December 25, introducing McLaughlin and his co-stars to a new generation of fans.