Why Are New Harry Potter Child Stars Being Warned of Potential ‘Destruction’ Before the Series Even Begins?

Ever wonder if stepping into the spotlight as an 11-year-old wizard is more like receiving an acceptance letter from Hogwarts… or a ticket to the angsty therapist’s office? I do . And apparently, so does Sophie Turner . Before you start imagining her swooping into the new Harry Potter set on the wings of dragons, I’ll spoil the magic—her warning comes from experience, not a broomstick . Turner, who was cast as the ever-resilient Sansa Stark at the tender age of 13, recently opened up about the harsh side effects of child stardom, social media trolls, and the mental health labyrinth that makes the Triwizard Tournament look like recess . As the new, wide-eyed cast—a trio of true rookies—prepares to face fame’s blinding spell, Turner’s advice is equal parts empathetic and ominous: Stay grounded, lean on your family…and for the love of Merlin, hide your phone . Are we about to see the next generation of Wizarding World stars soar, or do they risk being petrified by the Gorgon gaze of the digital mob? There’s a lot brewing in this cauldron—grab a butterbeer and settle in . LEARN MORE

The young actors at the helm of the upcoming Harry Potter series have been issued a warning by actress Sophie Turner.

The screen star – who made a name for herself after being cast in Game of Thrones while she was still a schoolgirl – has spoken out about her concern for the baby-faced cast of the new HBO series.

She shared some advice for the next generation of Hogwarts students while explaining how her early entrance into the entertainment industry had a ‘profound impact’ on her mental health.

The full cast for the highly-anticipated series was confirmed in May this year following an ‘extraordinary search’ which reportedly saw around 32,000 children audition for the lead roles.

It was revealed that three ‘newcomers’ would be starring as the main characters in the Wizarding World.

Youngsters Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout will be at the forefront of the HBO series (Aidan Monaghan/HBO)

The ‘Boy Who Lived’ is being played by Dominic McLaughlin, while Arabella Stanton is taking on the role of Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout will portray Ron Weasley.

The trio are only 11 years old, which is around the age that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were when they got their big break too.

They will star alongside film legends such as Nick Frost, John Lithgow and Paul Whitehouse in the Harry Potter series, which is also being executive produced by JK Rowling.

Reports claim production started this summer and that it should hit our screens at some point in 2027 – and while there’s still plenty of time to spare, Turner wanted to share some advice with the young actors in the show.

Reflecting on how her acting debut as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones at the age of 13 impacted her, she told Flaunt magazine that it somewhat clashed with the rise of social media.

“Social media was just really becoming a big thing after I started on Game of Thrones, so I got a couple of years of peace and quiet and then I had to adjust,” Turner, who has two young daughters with former husband Joe Jonas, said.

“It had such a profound impact on my mental health, like more than I could tell you.

“It almost destroyed me on numerous occasions.”

Sophie Turner, 29, urged the cast to steer clear of social media (Marc Piasecki/WireImage)

The Emmy Award nominee, 29, then explained that some of these feelings had resurfaced when she saw that casting had been completed for the Harry Potter series.

Offering them some guidance, Turner continued: “I look at the kids who are about to be in the new Harry Potter and I just want to give them a hug and say, ‘Look, it’s going to be okay but don’t go anywhere near [social media]’.

“Stay friends with your home friends, keep living at home with your family, make sure your parents are your chaperones… It’s so important to have that grounding adjacent to the big, crazy stuff that you do.”

Asked whether she would allow her daughters to embark on a career similar to hers, Turner said: “Oh God, they’re not acting! Not until they’re at least 25!”

A temporary school has reportedly been erected at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, where the new Harry Potter series is being filmed, so that the young stars can continue with their education while shooting.

Three Rivers District Council allowed the studio to ‘use a series of portable buildings as a school facility for the next decade’, according to the BBC.

Classrooms are set to accommodate up to 600 students during peak periods, but are expected to be used by around 150 pupils on a regular basis.

This studio school will reportedly operate during the hours of 5:30am and 8:30pm throughout the week, so the cast can continue to learn while also taking part in night shoots, reshoots and location filming.