Daniel Radcliffe is not committing to watching HBO’s new Harry Potter series, even as Dominic McLaughlin prepares to become his on-screen successor.

Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter across all eight Warner Bros. Pictures movies, addressed the forthcoming television series during an Associated Press interview at the New York world premiere of Netflix’s Steps.

“I don’t know if I will [watch], honestly,” Radcliffe said. “I’ve watched, I’ve been in a lot of Harry Potter already … and also I don’t watch any TV.”

His uncertainty, he explained, is not limited to the new HBO production. Radcliffe said several widely recognized television titles have also escaped his watchlist.

“I haven’t seen Breaking Bad. I haven’t seen Mad Men. I haven’t seen some of the like the real classics,” he said. “So, you know, eight hours is a lot of anything to watch.”

That leaves Radcliffe’s eventual viewing plans unresolved, but he offered a much clearer response when asked whether he had any guidance for McLaughlin: He does not intend to give the young actor advice.

Radcliffe wants McLaughlin to have his own experience

Radcliffe said he is deliberately avoiding creating an interview talking point that could follow McLaughlin as the new series approaches.

“I’m really truly in the business of not giving Dominic advice. He’s got it. He doesn’t need any advice from me,” Radcliffe said. “If I say something to you, then the next interview people have with him, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, and Dan said you should do this,’ and I’m like, I don’t want to haunt this poor child through interviews.”

His refusal to offer pointers did not come without encouragement. Radcliffe predicted that McLaughlin would be “amazing” and expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of meeting him.

“So I have no advice for him. He’s going to be amazing, and you know, I hope that I will, I think I will, get to meet him someday — and I’m very excited about that,” he said.

The two actors have not yet met, based on Radcliffe’s comments, and no meeting plans were confirmed. The new Harry Potter series is scheduled to premiere on HBO on December 25.

Radcliffe’s comments came at the Steps premiere

Radcliffe was discussing the HBO series while attending the world premiere of another project. He is among the cast of Netflix’s animated feature Steps, alongside Young Mazino and Peter Dinklage.

The film reimagines the Cinderella story and is directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa. Steps premieres on November 20.

ShowBiz Take

Radcliffe’s remarks draw a clear line between supporting a new performer and placing himself at the center of that performer’s experience. He may not be ready to add HBO’s series to a watchlist that already excludes Breaking Bad and Mad Men, but he was openly positive about McLaughlin.

That distinction matters. Radcliffe is not presenting his uncertainty about watching as a judgment on the new series or its lead. Instead, he points to his limited television habits and the considerable amount of time he has already spent with Harry Potter. At the same time, his decision not to dispense advice allows McLaughlin to approach the role without having Radcliffe’s instructions attached to every future interview.

What Happens Next?

Netflix’s Steps arrives first, premiering November 20. HBO’s Harry Potter series follows on December 25. Whether Radcliffe ultimately watches remains uncertain, as does when he and McLaughlin might meet, though Radcliffe said he believes that introduction will happen someday.