Harry Potter HBO Reboot Child Stars to Earn Massive Salaries in First Season
The three child actors cast in HBO's highly anticipated television reboot of the Harry Potter franchise are poised for significant financial success, with their substantial salaries for the inaugural season now revealed. The young stars are set to earn approximately A$966,000 each for their roles in the first series, translating to over A$115,000 per episode for the eight-part season.
Meet the New Trio and Their Lucrative Deals
Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin, aged 12, will portray the iconic role of Harry Potter, while Alastair Stout, also 12, takes on Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton, 11, embodies Hermione Granger. These casting decisions come after an extensive audition process that saw more than 32,000 children vying for the coveted parts in the Warner Bros production.
A television insider disclosed to The Sun that this represents a remarkable payday for the pre-teen actors, stating, "This is a whopping payday for three kids who haven't even hit their teenage years yet — and it's just the beginning. They're being paid £500,000 (A$966,000) for the first series. If they keep this up, they're on track to be multi-millionaires before they turn 18."
Production Details and Creative Team
The first season, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is scheduled for a Christmas release. The series will expand upon the original story, offering a more detailed backstory of Harry's life with the Dursley family. The production is led by Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession, with direction by HBO veteran Mark Mylod, who has directed episodes of Game of Thrones, Entourage, Succession, and The Last of Us.
Author J.K. Rowling serves as an executive producer, though her involvement appears limited following controversies surrounding her views. The series is planned to run for seven seasons, each corresponding to one of the original books, with production expected to span a decade.
Original Cast Reactions and Industry Context
The new actors replace the original film trio of Daniel Radcliffe, now 36, Rupert Grint, 37, and Emma Watson, 35, who became global stars through the movie adaptations. Radcliffe recently commented on the casting, expressing both nostalgia and support for the young performers.
"They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, 'Oh, it's crazy I was doing that at that age'. But it's also incredibly sweet, and I hope they're having a great time," Radcliffe remarked. He also urged media to focus on the new cast rather than constantly referencing the original actors, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to establish their own identities in the roles.
The revelation of these substantial salaries highlights the significant investment and expectations surrounding the HBO reboot, positioning these child actors for potentially life-changing careers in the entertainment industry.
