How Jamie Lee Curtis Predicted Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter Role

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Jamie Lee Curtis played sorting hat for Daniel Radcliffe even before he got to Hogwarts. 

Lindsay Lohan and Daniel Radcliffe recently met again after 25 years, and Lohan shared a story about how she knew Radcliffe would become famous for playing Harry Potter. She predicted his success while they were both working on the set of The Tailor of Panama, even before he was chosen for the role.

Jamie remembered being in the swimming pool with the other kids while appearing on the Today show in March. Daniel, who was very fair-skinned, had to use a self-tanner for their roles pretending to live in Panama. Unfortunately, because of the fake tan, he wasn’t allowed to swim with them.

Looking at Daniel, who was ten years old at the time, Jamie couldn’t help but think of the young boy featured on the covers of J.K. Rowling’s popular books.

She continued, recalling that he was sitting by the pool. She remembered looking at him and realizing he resembled the boy on the cover of a book.

Daniel hadn’t yet landed the role he’s most famous for—the one alongside Emma Watson and Rupert Grint—but he suspected his mother, Marcia Gresham, wouldn’t have been pleased with what Jamie said.

I didn’t find out about the role for a long time after it was decided,” Daniel explained. “I don’t think I even knew at this point, and my mom was probably trying to keep it a secret from me – she was likely giving you ‘the look’ not to tell me.

Although it’s been 15 years since Daniel Radcliffe last played Harry Potter—the final movie came out in 2011—he’s been thinking about the famous role again recently. He’s been discussing it with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, especially now that a new group of young actors has been chosen for the upcoming HBO series.

In a recent interview with People, Daniel explained that everyone involved understands each other’s emotions because they’re experiencing similar feelings. He said seeing photos of the children involved evokes a strong desire to comfort them, and that’s a feeling many people share.

Daniel has one simple request for when the show finally airs in 2027: please don’t discuss it with him beforehand.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Daniel expressed his hope that he won’t become a lingering presence in his children’s lives. He wants them to move forward and embrace the future, even if it means things will be different without him.

Daniel is confident that Dominic McLaughlin, who will be playing Harry in the new series, is ready for the role. In fact, Daniel believes Dominic will even do a better job than he did.

For more on the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, keep reading… 

In July 2025, actor Anton Lesser, known for his role in Game of Thrones, will become the new Garrick Ollivander, the wandmaker, taking over from the beloved John Hurt, who sadly passed away.

Rory Wilmot will be taking on the role of Neville Longbottom, a popular character from Gryffindor, previously portrayed by Matthew Lewis.

Louise Brealey, a British actress known for her work in shows like Sherlock, A Discovery of Witches, and Such Brave Girls, will be the new Madam Rolanda Hooch, the Quidditch instructor. She’s taking over the role from Zoe Wanamaker.

Newcomer Amos Kitson will take on the role of Harry’s cousin, Dudley. Harry Melling previously played the younger version of Dudley in the original films.

Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will be taking on the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. They are succeeding Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who famously played the characters in the Harry Potter films from 2000 to 2010.

Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said they were thrilled with the incredible talent of the three young actors and excited for audiences to see them together. They also expressed gratitude to the many children who auditioned, noting the wealth of young talent they discovered during the process.

Up-and-coming actor Lox Pratt will be taking on the role of Slytherin, following Tom Felton’s departure. Felton is moving to Broadway to play the adult Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

Okay, so you guys, HUGE news! HBO just announced that Johnny Flynn – yes, the Johnny Flynn, the one from Ripley – is going to be Lucius Malfoy! I literally screamed. Jason Isaacs, who was the perfect Lucius in the movies, posted on Instagram and was SO sweet, saying he’s handing over the keys to Malfoy Manor to Johnny and calling him a ‘monstrously talented renaissance man!’ Can you even?! I’m already obsessed with this casting, and I just know Johnny is going to kill it. Seriously, this is everything!

Katherine Parkinson, known for her BAFTA-winning role in the British comedy The IT Crowd, will play Mrs. Weasley in the upcoming TV series. She’s taking over the role from Julie Walters, who starred in Mamma Mia!

In March 2025, Variety announced that comedian Nick Frost was in talks to take on the role of Hagrid, the half-giant from the Harry Potter series. Frost became well-known for starring with Simon Pegg in popular comedies like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. The role of Hagrid was previously played by Robbie Coltrane, who sadly passed away in 2022.

Reports surfaced in December 2024 that Paapa Essiedu, a British actor known for his Emmy nomination and role in the HBO series I May Destroy You, is being considered to play Professor Snape. This role was famously played by the late Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films.

John Lithgow, a highly respected actor, will play the role of Professor Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO series. He’s known for his work in shows like Conclave, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and The Crown. Lithgow has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Tony Awards, and two Academy Award nominations.

John Lithgow admitted making the decision wasn’t simple. He told ScreenRant in February 2025 that he knew the role would likely be how people remember him for the rest of his life, but he was still thrilled to accept. He joked that he’d be around 87 years old when filming finished, but he was saying yes anyway.

Dumbledore was previously played by the late Richard Harris and then by Michael Gambon.

Daniel Rigby, a BAFTA-winning actor, is taking on the role of Harry Potter’s Uncle Vernon in the HBO Max series. He shared on Instagram that he’s excited to play what he calls ‘the world’s worst muggle.’ The part was famously played by Richard Griffiths, who passed away in 2013.

Bel Powley, a British actress known for her roles in shows like The Morning Show, A Small Light, and Masters of the Air, will be playing Aunt Petunia, a role previously held by Fiona Shaw.

Janet McTeer, a well-known British actress, will be playing Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house and Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts. McTeer has a long and successful career, with previous roles in popular shows like Ozark, Jessica Jones, and Sorry for Your Loss. The role of McGonagall was famously played by Dame Maggie Smith in the Harry Potter films.

HBO revealed in April 2025 that Paul Whitehouse, a highly-awarded British comedian, will be playing the role of Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker. David Bradley previously portrayed Filch in the Harry Potter films. Interestingly, Whitehouse has actually been involved with the Harry Potter universe before – he played Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!

Three young actors will play the parts of Harry’s classmates, Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown. Previously, these characters were played by Devon Murray, Shefali Chowdhury, and Jessie Cave.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I nearly fainted when I heard! Bertie Carvel – Bertie Carvel! – is going to be the Minister of Magic! I’m so excited! Of course, we all loved Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge in the films – he was perfect – but it’s just amazing to think about Bertie taking on the role now. It’s going to be incredible, I just know it!

Luke Thallon, a theater actor and potentially the least familiar face among the new cast members, will be playing Harry’s first Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Ian Hart previously played Quirrell, a memorable character in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

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2026-03-03 17:18