Daniel Radcliffe issues desperate plea to Harry Potter fans as he explains he doesn't want to be a 'phantom'
Daniel Radcliffe has revealed why he wants to distance himself from the child stars in the new Harry Potter series.
The performance that the actor put in while starring alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in the popular film franchise was always going to be a tough act to follow.
But Radcliffe really doesn't want the youngsters playing Harry, Ron and Hermione in the HBO series to be constantly compared to their predecessors.
The series, which its creators promise is a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved original Harry Potter books', is set to be released early next year.
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It boasts a star-studded cast including the likes of John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu, but a trio of 'screen newcomers' are taking on the roles of the main characters.
Dominic McLaughlin is stepping into Radcliffe's shoes as Harry Potter, while Alastair Stout is playing his loveable sidekick Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will appear as Hermione Granger.
In a new interview, Radcliffe revealed what he thought of the mini-mes who will be responsible for introducing a new generation to the magic of the wizarding world.
Although a lot of people would presume taking on such a high-profile gig at such a tender age would be extremely tough, the London-born actor, 36, reckons their adolescence might be an advantage.
Radcliffe said that being so young might actually help the young actors deal with their new-found celebrity status.
"In some ways, I think getting famous when you are young is almost easier," he told Screen Rant.
"Because then all the weird things about fame are so intertwined with your life that they don't feel weird when you come up against them."
Reflecting on his own experience of being thrust into the spotlight, Radcliffe said: "I learned as I went. I look back at what I did now with a lot more kindness, and I find it less embarrassing now that I'm older."
He offered some advice to McLaughlin - who he joked would easily be 'better than him' while playing Harry - Stout and Stanton, saying they should embrace the mayhem which is about to ensue.
Radcliffe also suggested that those working on the series behind the scenes will play a pivotal part in shaping the young stars.
"I would say, have the best time and lean on the crew," he said. "Everyone has an image of how we were all raised on the set by the best British actors, but Maggie Smith wasn't coming in and giving me advice on how to grow up.
"That's not their job. The people that we were really close to were the crew. The crew were some of my best friends, they are still the people who I am really close to."
Although Radcliffe's name will always be synonymous with Harry Potter, he doesn't want this to overshadow the efforts of the school kids starring in the new HBO series.
He explained: "There was a whole thing when these kids got cast on the internet , 'We have to look after them'. If you mean that, one of the things people can do is not ask about us - me, Emma, Rupert - all the time.
"I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children's lives and just let them get on with it.
"It's going to be a new thing, a different thing and they're going to be better than me. I'm sure Dominic is going to be better than me."
Radcliffe said he hopes the stars of the Harry Potter series have 'the best time' - and don't have to feel the strain of living in the shadow of him, Grint and Watson.
Topics: Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter, Celebrity, HBO, TV and Film
Olivia Burke