Meet The New 'Harry Potter' Dominic McLaughlin, The Young Actor Behind The Glasses In The HBO Reboot

The magical walls of Hogwarts are about to echo with excitement once again, as the school will soon welcome a new generation of wizards and witches. After decades of a successful cinematic run of the Harry Potter franchise, starring the iconic trio, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, the timeless legacy is now passing on to a new generation of actors who will hopefully reintroduce J.K. Rowling’s magical world. 

HBO’s much-anticipated Harry Potter television reboot is officially in production, and the first look of 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as the new 'Harry Potter' is out. Considering he has some legendary shoes to put after Daniel Radcliffe, fans across the globe are leaving mixed reactions to the new face of the boy wizard, complete with the iconic round glasses and Gryffindor robes. 

While many fans are excited to revisit the wizarding world, others have criticised the reboot for altering their beloved comfort story. Amid the buzz and backlash, all eyes are now on Dominic McLaughlin, the young actor chosen to play 'Harry Potter', one of the most iconic roles in pop culture history.

Who Is Dominic McLaughlin?

Dominic McLaughlin is a young British actor, relatively unknown until now, who ultimately landed the role of 'Harry Potter' after beating out tens of thousands of other candidates to land the coveted role. The TV adaptation is going to be a decade-long one, and thus, the makers went through an extensive screening process throughout the UK to cast children aged 9 to 11. Dominic stood out with his emotional depth and screen presence, thus landing the role of the boy wizard.

There's no doubt in saying that playing the role of 'Harry Potter' will be a breakout role in Dominic's career, but the young actor has already made his name known in the entertainment world. He is set to appear in the film, Grow, and also star in the BBC drama, Gifted, both of which are slated for a later release in 2025.

On July 14, 2025, Warner Bros. released the first look of little Dominic as 'Harry Potter', dressed in the Hogwarts uniform and wearing the boy wizard’s iconic round glasses. As expected, the young actor has already found himself at the centre of both admiration and online criticism. Fans immediately compared him with the OG ‘Harry’, Daniel Radcliffe. Some fans were quick to point out that McLaughlin does not have green eyes like the character described in the books.

Despite the backlash, many fans and public figures have rushed to support the young actor, calling out online hate campaigns and reminding critics that a child’s performance should be judged fairly and respectfully.

Meet the new golden trio

While Dominic’s first look as ‘Harry Potter’ has taken over the internet, the makers have also announced the other two actors completing the golden trio, though their first glimpses are yet to be revealed. Alastair Stout will play ‘Ron Weasley’, and Arabella Stanton will portray ‘Hermione Granger’.

Since the casting reveal in May 2025, the trio has stirred excitement among fans, eager to witness a fresh take on the beloved characters. Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod had praised the cast’s talent and screen presence in their official statement, saying:

“The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”

More about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series

The filming for the series has already started, and it’s taking place at the iconic Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, where the original films were shot. Given the generations' worth of fandom surrounding the Harry Potter franchise, the makers have promised to remain faithful to J.K. Rowling’s original novels.

Slated for a decade-long run, the series has been planned as a seven-season saga, with each season focusing on one book from Rowling’s novel series. As per initial reports, the first season of HBO’s Harry Potter is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027.

Well, despite the mixed initial responses, one thing’s for sure - Dominic McLaughlin is on the brink of becoming a global star. As he takes on the legacy left behind by Daniel Radcliffe, expectations are obviously sky-high, but so is the excitement, as the HBO series offers to revisit the magical world of Hogwarts with far more depth this time, with more character-focused aspects. 

Wishing Dominic and the new cast the best as they embark on this long and spellbinding journey!

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