Only four of JK Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books had been published, but already the press ventured that this series “may” become one of the most valuable film franchises in British history. Sitting on cushions so they could reach the microphones, those three children addressed the world, remarkably unfazed, with neither stage-coached precocity nor naivete about what was about to happen to them.
It is ridiculous that I feel relieved to be able to watch these clips back and not feel complete dread and regret about their futures. I feel thrilled about the adventure on which they are about to embark, a dear fondness for these children (it was jealousy the first time, 25 years ago, when this Harry Potter-obsessed nine-year-old looked on thinking “it should have been me”).
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in 2000 (Photo: Warner Bros/Newsmakers/Getty)
This week, in spite of myself, I felt that little thrill all over again, as HBO revealed who will play Harry, Ron and Hermione in its upcoming TV adaptation. Like the films, it is a project set to stretch across the next decade; like the films, this trio will join acting heavyweights starring as Hogwarts staff – so far John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Paul Whitehouse, Nick Frost, Janet McTeer have been announced – and like the films, the central three have been until now, unknowns.
In a photo, they appear crouching in the grass, looking as they are supposed to: innocent, mischievous, friendly. But it would be foolish to imagine that innocence will go undisturbed. These three are about to be bonded together forever, they alone will understand how it feels to be thrust into fame with this burden of expectation upon them. And it will change them. How can anyone prevent a childhood in the public eye from shaping who a person becomes?
It is a noble intention and I believe one that was enforced, as much as possible. Stories from the original Harry Potter production report a strong parental presence, great support from the veteran cast, an uncompromised focus on the schooling of the young stars, and a collegiate environment because of the sheer number of children involved. They outnumbered the adults, so not only did firm relationships form but no child spent so much time around people much older than them that they grew up too fast (a child star on an adult set, by contrast, is in a very lonely place).
Harry Potter’s original cast ahead of their unveiling at a press conference at the Berkeley Hotel in London in 2000 (Photo: Stefan Rousseau)
Watson faced sexism and horrible scrutiny of her body and scurrilous gossip about her sex life. She may have graduated from an Ivy league university and devoted much of her life to advocating for humanitarian causes but that does not mean her treatment by the press did not affect her – she needed a break from acting, has spoken about needing therapy after struggling with fame, has said “it’s so bizarre and otherworldly what happened to me”.
I cannot imagine how isolating and confusing it is to occupy their place in pop culture. We may not have seen them off the rails – and it is a mercy – but how sad is it that we take this, and the very fact of their survival, as a sign that they were the rare child stars who came away unscathed. They couldn’t have.
square TELEVISION The new Harry Potter cast gives hope for the TV series
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These three children will grow up under even more spotlights than the originals – even worse, they have the tools to turn the lenses on themselves and address their fans and detractors whenever they want to.
The opportunity to redefine Harry, Ron and Hermione for a new generation is something wondrous. I hope that every measure is in place – on set, at home, at school – for this new trio to enjoy it.
It is too easy to forget that away from the high stakes, big budgets, and crowding controversies of Harry Potter, it is really a story about childhood. About three young friends, growing up in extraordinary circumstances, doing incredible things while the world looks on. Letting these children do the same thing for as long as possible – that is the real magic.
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