Dominic McLaughlin is a young Scottish actor, born in 2013 or 2014, who has gained significant attention for being cast as Harry Potter in HBO’s upcoming television series adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, set to premiere in 2026. Selected from over 32,000 auditionees in an open casting call for children aged 9 to 11, McLaughlin was announced as the lead on May 27, 2025.
McLaughlin began his acting career training at the Performance Academy Scotland since around 2020. His previous roles include playing Oliver Gregory in the Sky Original comedy film *Grow*, set to release in 2025, where he worked alongside Nick Frost (who will play Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series) and Golda Rosheuvel. He is also cast as Martin in the BBC action-adventure series *Gifted*, an adaptation of Marilyn Kaye’s novels about Scottish teens with superpowers, filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow and slated for release in 2025. Additionally, McLaughlin performed in a production of *Macbeth* at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, opposite Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma.
Hailing from Lanarkshire, Scotland, with family roots in Mossend, McLaughlin has been praised by his acting school and HBO’s creative team for his talent and suitability for the iconic role of Harry Potter. He is described as a screen newcomer with a promising career ahead, stepping into the legacy of Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal.