At the recent 79th Tony Awards, held on June 7, Daniel Radcliffe took a moment to reflect on his recent visit with fellow actor John Lithgow. Radcliffe, renowned for his role in the Harry Potter film series and nominated this year for his work in *Every Brilliant Thing*, spoke with enthusiasm about his experiences with Lithgow, who was awarded the Tony for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in *Giant*.
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Radcliffe expressed his admiration for Lithgow’s performance during his backstage visit. “I went to see his show the other day, and he’s incredible in it,” Radcliffe commented. He noted with a hint of humour that he hoped to cheer for Lithgow during the awards ceremony, which proved prophetic as Lithgow did indeed take home his third Tony award that evening.
The seasoned actors reflected on their parallel journeys within the Harry Potter franchise, with Lithgow set to portray Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels. Radcliffe shared that their conversation, although light on detailed discussions, was filled with warmth as Lithgow recounted his experiences working with the younger cast. “He was telling me about how well it’s going and how fond he is of the kids,” he said, highlighting the supportive rapport between the two actors.
The anticipated new series, which reimagines the original stories, features 12-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, alongside Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. Mark Mylod is at the helm of the series’ inaugural season, which is based on *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*—the first book in the renowned series.
Radcliffe shared his thoughts on the new adaptation, describing it as “very, very sweet” and expressed his delight that things were progressing well with the new cast and crew. Fans of the franchise have been teased with glimpses of the production, including images of Lithgow in his role as Dumbledore, which surfaced in October. A glimpse of the series was also provided earlier this year with a trailer released in March.
The competition was stiff at the Tony Awards, with both Radcliffe and Lithgow facing nominees such as Will Harrison for *Punch*, Nathan Lane for *Death of a Salesman*, and Mark Strong for *Oedipus*. Lithgow’s victory adds to his impressive accolades, solidifying his status as an accomplished actor with a longstanding career in theatre and film.
Looking forward, the excitement surrounding the Harry Potter TV adaptation continues to build, particularly with fans eager to see how the classic stories will be reinterpreted for a new generation. The series aims to offer fresh narratives while honouring the source material, a task that both Radcliffe and Lithgow appear to support wholeheartedly.
The Tony Awards, which celebrate excellence in Broadway theatre, are broadcast on CBS and are available for streaming on Paramount+. As fans and industry insiders await the new Harry Potter series, it is clear that both Lithgow and Radcliffe remain connected to the legacy of the franchise in their careers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among fellow actors in the ever-evolving world of theatre and television.