Harry Potter Series Star Dominic McLaughlin Recalls First 'Surreal' Costume Fitting

An HBO adaptation of Harry Potter is coming soon and filming is now underway. The new Harry Potter himself, Dominic McLaughlin, shared what it was like to earn the coveted role.

The 11-year-old actor has made his first comment about playing the famous boy wizard. Asked by BBC how it felt to get into Harry's wizard robes - which fans have already seen a glimpse of - McLaughlin answered, “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.”

McLaughlin joins a vast cast that includes both other unknowns and famous British and American acting talent. The other two main characters of the story, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, will be played by Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton. The role of Snape, one of the most hated characters in the book, has gone to Paapa Essiedu. John Lithgow will play Dumbledore, Nick Frost will play Hagrid, Janet McTeer will play McGonagall, and Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy. Rumor has it that the role of Voldemort has also been cast, but the producers want it kept under wraps until the show begins. Some glimpses of McLaughlin on set have already come out. McLaughlin had his photo taken while filming a scene with Nick Frost's body double

Harry Potter is Highly Controversial Now

Nick Frost spoke up about J.K. Rowling's anti-transgender rhetoric that she's shared online. He said to The Observer, “She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.” He continued, “But maybe [the debate] shouldn’t blow over? We shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.”

John Lithgow is on the opposite side, telling The Times that he refused to step down from the role even when a friend with a trans child asked him to. “I thought, why is this a factor at all? I wonder how J. K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her and I’m curious to talk to her," he said.

Harry Potter is set to air in 2027.