Daniel Radcliffe just revealed how he and his former costars are really feeling about the new ‘Harry Potter’ series, and it’s hard not to feel it too

Daniel Radcliffe has opened up about how he and his original ‘Harry Potter‘ costars, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, feel about the new HBO series. The trio has been in touch, and Radcliffe says the experience feels “surreal” as they watch a whole new cast take on their iconic roles.

The new HBO adaptation will bring each of J.K. Rowling’s seven books to life across dedicated seasons. For Radcliffe, now 36, it’s a lot to take in, especially since he, Watson (35), and Grint (37) played these characters on screen from 2001 to 2011.

According to People, production on the series began in July, with Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. Radcliffe mentioned that while they haven’t had “a ton of communication about the show specifically,” they all share the same feelings.

Radcliffe says seeing the new young cast makes him think differently about his own childhood experience

“It’s one of those where I think we all just know how the others feel, because we’re also feeling it,” Radcliffe said. He added that seeing pictures of the new young cast makes him want to “grab them and hug them.” Seeing the new cast has also made Radcliffe reflect on what it was like to start at 11 years old. 

At the time, he felt old enough for the role, but now, meeting actual 11-year-olds, he says how “nuts” that age seems for such a massive undertaking. Fans of the Wizarding World who enjoy the mobile game can also check out the best early spells in Harry Potter Magic Awakened to get a head start in the game.

This new perspective has given Radcliffe a deeper appreciation for his parents. He says he tells them often how much he values the way they guided him through the experience with humor. While the new ‘Harry Potter‘ era begins, Radcliffe is moving into comedy. He is starring alongside Tracy Morgan, 57, in a new NBC comedy called ‘The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins.’ 

Radcliffe plays a director who films a documentary about a disgraced football player, Reggie Dinkins, played by Morgan, in hopes of fixing his public image. If you’re a Harry Potter game fan, you might also want to explore the best companions for PvP and PvE in Magic Awakened to strengthen your gameplay. Working with Morgan was an “awesome” experience, Radcliffe said, praising his natural comedic talent and charisma as “unteachable and unlearnable.” 

He described Morgan as someone who “will say five of the wildest things you’ve ever heard every day,” while also being “incredibly kind, generous, and funny.” The series, from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, also stars Erika Alexander, Precious Way, Bobby Moynihan, and Jalyn Hall. It premieres on February 23 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on NBC.