Daniel Radcliffe Talks Wolverine, Franchises, Harry Potter & His New Comedy Series [Exclusive]

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Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing Harry Potter in the hugely popular film series, has proven himself as a diverse actor. He’s taken on roles in films like Horns, Swiss Army Man, and The Lost City, appeared in TV shows including Miracle Workers, Mulligan, and even The Simpsons, and starred in Broadway productions such as Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Now, he’s aiming for another hit with his new comedy, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.

The new TV series, starting February 23rd, centers on Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan), a former NFL star whose career was derailed by a public betting scandal. Hoping to rebuild his reputation and get into the Hall of Fame, Reggie hires acclaimed director Arthur Tobin (Radcliffe) to make a documentary about his life. However, Arthur is also looking for a second chance after losing his own career momentum due to a public outburst on a Marvel movie set. Despite an initial personality clash, this unlikely duo might just be what each other needs to turn things around, and plenty of witty conversation fuels their journey.

In a recent interview with ComicBook, Daniel Radcliffe discussed his new show, The Fall and Rise, comparing its humor to 30 Rock, his enjoyment of performing physical comedy, how he avoids laughing during takes, fan suggestions for who should play Wolverine, and what’s happening with the planned Harry Potter TV series.

ComicBook: What makes people laugh can be subjective. How would you describe your sense of humor?

Daniel Radcliffe describes his taste as ‘weird’ and ‘cartoonish.’ He enjoys things that can be both incredibly clever and delightfully silly – he actually sees ‘stupid’ as a good thing! He considers Airplane! to be the best comedy ever made, and says that film pretty much sums up his sense of humor.

You know, as a kid, I was obsessed with certain comedians and definitely tried to copy their styles. But later, when I started working with other funny people, I really paid attention to their timing. Honestly, a lot of what you see in my performances now comes from watching and learning from my co-stars – they really helped me sharpen my own comedic instincts.

I was a huge fan of Alan Partridge and Steve Coogan growing up – I honestly think that character is some of the smartest comedy the UK has ever produced. And of course, I came of age watching shows like The Office and 30 Rock, which really shaped my taste. But the biggest leap I made in understanding comedy actually came from doing a musical back in 2011, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. There’s just something about performing comedy live, night after night, in front of an audience. It really teaches you about timing. You’re working with the same script for over 300 shows, so you start to experiment – “Okay, that joke didn’t land at the afternoon show, how can I tweak it for tonight?” It was like having a year-long lab to try things out, and I got to do it alongside John Larroquette, who’s a comedy legend. Honestly, if you want to learn about comedy, the best thing you can do is get up on stage and perform in front of a live audience.

The new show, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, features a lot of familiar faces from 30 Rock – including Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, and the creators Robert Carlock and Sean Means. Did this connection help attract viewers? And does the show successfully recreate the humor and style of 30 Rock?

Working with Tina and Robert Carlock, and Sam Means, was a major draw for me. When you start a TV show, you only see the first episode, so you’re really trusting the writers to consistently deliver quality over the entire run. And those guys are known for being able to do just that – maintain a high level of writing for years. The show’s humor is similar to 30 Rock – it mixes broadly appealing, universally funny jokes with very specific, niche references. Some people will get every joke, while others will only catch a few, but that balance is done really well. Plus, it’s packed with jokes, so if one doesn’t land, you don’t have to worry – another one is coming right away, and you’ll likely enjoy that one instead.

The pop culture references stand out. Was that aspect something that jumped off the page for you?

My character really embodies a lot of the humor surrounding the film industry, which was fun to play. There was a joke about Adrien Brody’s art shows that I particularly enjoyed, though I’m not sure if it made the final cut. The movie is filled with inside jokes for people who work in film, but it shouldn’t confuse or bother viewers who aren’t familiar with the industry.

Outside of the show’s pedigree, what else excited you about the part of Arthur Tobin?

He was immediately appealing – he’s a director, works in film, and has a bit of a sophisticated air. But what really developed over the season was his connection with Reggie. It was lovely to watch Reggie go from thinking they had nothing in common with this man to realizing they shared more similarities than expected, and that their futures were becoming linked. They’ll both need each other to overcome their current struggles and rebuild their lives.

This show is more than just a story about Reggie turning his life around. We’re also left wondering how much of Arthur’s story we’ll get to see unfold.

He eventually understands that reconnecting with Reggie is key to getting his life back on track. Initially, Arthur tries to stay detached and simply observe, but as the story unfolds, he genuinely connects with the people he’s filming and appreciates their kindness. He has to let go of his strict, professional standards to allow those relationships to develop.

What’s fun about playing the straight man, especially against Tracy Morgan’s energy?

Working with Tracy Morgan is a blast because he’s such a one-of-a-kind performer. He can deliver lines in ways that would sound bizarre coming from almost anyone else, but it totally works for him. He’s a true comedy icon – he’s earned that reputation over many years in the business. I feel honored to play the more grounded role alongside someone so naturally funny.

Besides the clever writing and the characters’ straight faces, what do you find particularly funny about the slapstick and physical humor?

I’m always happy to be physically involved in my work, and it’s usually funnier to see a real mishap than a fake one. I used to do a lot of my own stunts, especially while filming the Harry Potter movies – I probably wouldn’t be allowed to do that now! I did a lot of stunt training back then, and the physicality was a major part of those films. Nowadays, I don’t get to do as much big stunt work, so I focus on using those physical skills for comedy whenever I can.

The episode opens with Arthur struggling in the background, shown having an emotional breakdown and destroying his phone.

As a big comedy fan, I’ve noticed something that really works: distance makes things funnier! Think about the Naked Gun movies – those scenes where people are having a super serious conversation, but then there’s someone completely ridiculous, like running around on fire, in the background? That contrast is pure gold, and it always cracks me up.

What is the trick to not cracking up in the moment, take after take?

It’s actually easier to perform well when you’re working with talented actors. I tend to mess up takes, and if I laugh while the camera is rolling, it throws everyone off. The thought of ruining a good performance by someone else is what usually keeps me focused. There was one instance where Tracy was giving a really beautiful and moving performance – it was also hilarious! – and I accidentally laughed right at him. I immediately worried about ruining the moment because what he was doing was so good. I managed to get it right on the next take after messing up the first one, and I apologized to him for the mistake.

That not-breaking-during-takes skill should be listed on a resume.

I definitely shouldn’t include this on my resume. Some people are incredibly resilient, and I’m just not one of them.

Many people were surprised you chose The Woman in Black as your first film after the Harry Potter series. You often seem to avoid predictable choices. Can you talk about how you decide which projects to work on?

I feel incredibly fortunate to have the freedom to choose my projects. Many actors don’t have that kind of control, so I really appreciate it. My next play on Broadway is called Every Brilliant Thing. Parts of it feel very natural and comfortable for me, while other parts push me completely outside of my usual range and are a new challenge. I thrive when a project combines familiar territory – where I can bring my authentic self – with something that really stretches me as an actor. That balance is what I find most exciting.

Fans really wanted you to play Wolverine. Did you ever think about taking on that role, even briefly?

That rumor wasn’t true – it was never going to happen. It was a nice thing people were saying online, and I appreciated it, but no one with the authority to cast me ever brought it up. Honestly, anyone would be silly not to think about an opportunity like that, but I have no interest in taking over the role Hugh Jackman made famous. I’m perfectly happy letting him continue as Wolverine; it’s not something I’d ever want to do, especially considering how iconic he’s become in that part.

Are you a superhero guy? Would you consider joining the MCU or DCU?

I’m honestly a little lost when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what’s happening with all the movies. I’d need to get caught up if I were ever offered a role. That said, I’m definitely open to the possibility – I’d never say no. I’m not actively pursuing a Marvel role, though. I’m fortunate to be able to base my decisions on how good the script is. If a script comes along that’s really interesting, unique, and creative, I’d consider it, regardless of the project.

Superhero roles often come with lengthy contracts. How did your experience with the Harry Potter franchise influence your perspective on long-term series?

Getting that big project done early in my career was a relief. While some people aren’t interested in franchise films, others see them as a way to gain industry recognition and financial independence, allowing them to pursue their own projects. Having that stability so young gave me the freedom to choose what I wanted to do next. It’s easy to underestimate the difficulty of making those big movies well, but it’s a real skill. People assume unlimited budgets make things easy, but there are so many competing interests and opinions. For a director, writer, or actor to create something truly good within that system is a major accomplishment. I’d be open to working on another big franchise film eventually, but not for the foreseeable future.

A Harry Potter TV show is coming soon! Were you following the announcements of who was being cast? Did you pay attention to which actors were chosen for each role?

I’m really excited for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins! It kicks off its regular showing on NBC starting February 23rd and will be on through April. I’m already curious to hear what everyone thinks, so definitely leave a comment and let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-24 02:12