Daniel Radcliffe urges press to stop comparing Potter casts –

The actor calls for space as HBO’s reboot charts its own path

A message to the media

February 18, 2026 – Daniel Radcliffe is asking journalists to rethink how they approach the cast of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Radcliffe said it’s unfair to constantly ask the new actors about the original movie stars, urging the press to “just let them get on” with their work.
Clear request.

“It’s going to be different”

Radcliffe emphasized that the reboot is not meant to replicate the films that defined a generation. He acknowledged that comparisons are inevitable but stressed that the HBO series should be allowed to exist on its own terms, with a different tone, structure, and creative approach.
New era.

Protecting the next generation

Having grown up under intense public scrutiny himself, Radcliffe said he understands the pressure facing the new cast. Constant questions about the original films, he noted, risk overshadowing their performances before audiences even see them.
Pressure eased.

A reboot under the microscope

The HBO adaptation has already sparked debate among fans eager — and anxious — about revisiting the wizarding world. Radcliffe’s comments reframed the conversation, shifting focus from nostalgia to creative reinvention.
Perspective shift.

Final thoughts

By urging restraint, Daniel Radcliffe offered a reminder that reboots thrive not by copying the past, but by giving new voices room to define the future.

FAQs

Q1: What did Daniel Radcliffe ask the press to stop doing?
Constantly comparing the new cast to the original movie actors.

Q2: Which project is he referring to?
HBO’s Harry Potter television reboot.

Q3: Why does he think comparisons are unfair?
They add unnecessary pressure on the new cast.

Q4: Did Radcliffe criticize the reboot itself?
No, he encouraged allowing it to be different.

Q5: What is his main message?
Let the new cast do their jobs without constant comparisons.