Are the new Harry Potter actors younger or older than the Original trio when they were first cast?

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix - News Conference - Source: Getty
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix - News Conference - Source: Getty

The main cast for the new Harry Potter TV series has been revealed. HBO has unveiled the young stars of its upcoming TV series. Dominic McLaughlin will take on the role of Harry Potter, while Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will portray Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Fans are wondering how old they are in comparison to the original movie trio: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

Based on recent news, the new cast is younger than the original three when they were first cast. The original cast members were teenagers or nearing their teens when they first appeared in the first movie. The new cast, as described, are young children.


The Original Harry Potter Trio: Ages at Casting

The original movies started filming in 2000. The main three were cast from among young British actors. Based on sources:

Sony Ericsson Empire Film Awards 2006 Press Room - Source: Getty
Sony Ericsson Empire Film Awards 2006 Press Room - Source: Getty
  • Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) was 11 years old when he initially appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
  • Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) was 10 years old when she first appeared.
  • Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) was 11 years old when he was cast.

These ages were in keeping with the plan to have actors who would mature with their characters throughout the film series.


The new trio

For the new HBO Harry Potter series, casting entailed recruiting young actors to play the legendary trio. The new actors, as per a report by Variety, are:

  • Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
  • Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
  • Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley

Their exact ages are not publicly available, but Variety and other sources describe them as “young children.” Times Nowreports that they were selected from a pool of children aged between 9–11. This implies that the new actors are younger or roughly the same age as the original three when they were cast. However, reports say they are “clearly younger children” than the original actors.


Why age matters in Harry Potter casting

Casting young actors for the series is important for several reasons. First, the story follows the characters from childhood through their teenage years. Casting children allows the audience to watch the actors grow and mature with their roles. This was a key part of the original film series’ appeal.

Second, younger actors can help ensure that the series remains faithful to the books. In J.K. Rowling’s books, Harry, Hermione, and Ron begin their adventure at the age of 11. By casting actors who are nearly or slightly younger than this age, the series can portray the formative years at Hogwarts more truthfully.

Lastly, casting younger children permits a longer production run for the series. As the actors age, they can continue to play the characters into their teenage years, as the original cast did.


What does this mean for the new series?

The choice to cast younger actors for the new series is a declaration of commitment to authenticity. Variety reports that the new series will be a faithful adaptation of the books. Starting with young actors, the show can build up the characters over several seasons.

This strategy also enables new viewers to identify with the characters from the onset of their journey. For longtime fans, witnessing the trio at a younger age may offer a fresh perspective on familiar tales.


Stay tuned for more updates!

Edited by Ritika Pal