Daniel Radcliffe Says One Harry Potter Co Star Loved Messing Around on Set

Daniel Radcliffe recently shared some hilarious memories about his time on the Harry Potter sets, specifically highlighting the mischievous behavior of the late Michael Gambon. During an appearance on the popular YouTube series Hot Ones on February 19, the actor looked back on his years as the boy wizard while tackling increasingly spicy wings.

Gambon, who famously stepped in as Dumbledore starting with the third film, apparently brought a very different energy to the production than many might expect from a legendary stage veteran.

Radcliffe noted that Gambon was famous among the cast for his constant pranks and his refusal to take the seriousness of the set too close to heart. He explained that the most impressive actors are often those who complete their tasks without making everyone else feel the weight of their effort.

According to Radcliffe, the coolest people on a film set are usually those who can do the work without making you constantly aware of how hard they’re working. Reflecting on Gambon’s legacy, Radcliffe spoke warmly about the man he considered an incredible mentor and friend.

He joked that the late actor f*ed around all the time and simply would not stop his antics until the director finally called for action. He mentioned that Gambon lived to make his younger co-stars laugh, which was a refreshing change from performers who love to like dress the whole process up in mystique and being an enigma.

One specific story involved a tense sequence from the sixth film where the two characters are crossing a dark lake in a small vessel. Radcliffe recalled how Gambon turned a dramatic moment into a joke by asking if they were filming a scene he nicknamed TTIAB, which he later clarified stood for Two tw*ts in a boat.

He also used the acronym BOHNAR to describe shots where only the back of his head was visible, telling Radcliffe it stood for Back of head, no acting required. Beyond reminiscing about the past, Radcliffe also touched on the future of the franchise and the upcoming HBO television adaptation.

He spoke highly of 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, the newcomer who has been cast to take over the role of Harry. Radcliffe expressed total confidence in his successor, stating that I’m sure Dominic is going to be better than me. He admitted that while he looks back on his own younger self with more kindness now, he was essentially learning his craft on the job for many years.

Fans of the original trio are also keeping an eye on the new series’ broader cast, which includes John Lithgow as the new Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid. While the show is currently in production for a projected 2027 release, Radcliffe has been clear that he has no plans to appear in it, preferring to let the new generation have their own “clean break.”

Instead, the 36-year-old actor has been focusing on his own eclectic projects. Radcliffe is set to star in the film Trust the Man, which is expected to showcase more of the comedic timing he has honed in recent years.

He has also remained a staple on Broadway, following his Tony-winning turn in Merrily We Roll Along, and is rumored to be developing a new stage project for this year. While he will always be synonymous with the wizarding world, Radcliffe’s career continues to prove that there is plenty of magic left in his post-Potter life.

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