Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in all eight films, says he may skip HBO’s new television adaptation, which premieres on Christmas Day. Asked by the Associated Press whether he would tune in, Radcliffe sounded unsure. He said he has already spent plenty of time in the franchise and that he doesn’t watch any TV. He added that he has never seen “Breaking Bad” or “Mad Men,” and that eight hours is a big commitment for anything. The first season arrives on Christmas Day.
He also declined to coach his successor. Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry, and Radcliffe said he has no advice for him. His reasoning was practical. Any tip he offered would surface in every interview McLaughlin gives afterward, and Radcliffe does not want to trail the young actor through the press cycle.
The remarks arrive as HBO builds toward launch. The network plans to adapt all seven novels, and the show has already won an early second-season renewal. Arabella Stanton plays Hermione and Alastair Stout plays Ron, with John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Paapa Essiedu as Snape. HBO chief Casey Bloys has said he has watched the full season and calls it great.
Radcliffe’s distance from the project fits a wider pattern among the film cast. J.K. Rowling, an executive producer on the series, has drawn criticism over her views on gender and trans rights. Radcliffe has said her rhetoric “makes [him] really sad,” and Emma Watson has said a conversation with Rowling about her beliefs never became possible. Rowling has shown no such reserve. She reacted warmly to the first teaser, which drew mixed responses from fans. Some viewers complained the footage lacked the color and stylization of the original films.
Radcliffe’s lack of enthusiasm for the series looks mild next to those disputes. He framed his choice as a matter of time and habit rather than a verdict on the show, and he has not criticized the production or its cast. HBO has not responded to his comments in the coverage reviewed. The test comes on December 25, when audiences judge the new Harry without Radcliffe’s endorsement or his viewing.
