Frankie Treadaway has been announced to star as Harry Potter in the new Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions for Audible for the first three novels in the Harry Potter series alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Max Lester as Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be releasing on Tuesday 4th November. As a theatre actor, most recently, Frankie played Tommy in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical in the West End, with his previous shows including originating the role of Christopher Hillard in the London premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire in 2023, playing Michael Hobbs in Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre, and when theatres could reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic, Frankie made his West End debut playing Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, with which he also performed at West End Live. On screen, Frankie played an Urchin Child for the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane, and he has just returned from filming in Malta as a main cast member in an unannounced film. We spoke to Frankie about being announced to play Harry Potter in the new Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions for Audible, his stage role of Tommy in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, being in the original cast of Mrs. Doubtfire in London, his time in Elf the Musical and making his West End debut as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins.

It has been announced that you will be starring as Harry Potter in the new Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions for Audible, how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role for the first three novels?

I was shocked at first. It had been a long wait since the final audition, and although you think about it every day, you try to push it out of your mind. I was in the car with my friend, Nana, Mum, and Dad, on a day out on an inset day when my mum got the call. We were all shrieking! I immediately called my sisters and brother, who were in classes at university and at work, and trying to keep quiet!

How was it meeting and working with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Max Lester as Ron Weasley?

We only met at the final audition, but I knew straight away that they were perfect for their characters. They are both so very talented and fun to be around. When recording, we are alone in the studio with an adult actor in another room, reading the narration and other characters. I tried to visualise them reading the parts to help me voice and act my role.

What was it like taking on the role of Harry Potter and how did you find the experience recording the audiobooks?

It was my first time in a recording studio and working with a microphone, so it was an amazing and new experience. I’m honoured to be trusted with such an iconic role. I was quite daunted by the responsibility at first but also very excited because I knew the character well. The director was incredible, as were the sound engineer and the Audible and Pottermore teams, who helped me through it. I was surprised by how physically exhausting recording was, especially having done theatre shows. Without the visual aid of costumes and a set, you’re creating everything with your voice and breath only.

What are you looking forward to for the release of the first audiobook Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on Tuesday 4th November?

I’m excited for everyone to hear this new immersive experience – including myself, as I haven’t heard more than a few snippets. I know how an orchestra brings a stage show to life, and I can’t imagine how incredible the story will be told this way.

On stage, you most recently played Tommy in the West End production of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, how was it performing in the musical and did you have a favourite part of the show?

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical is such a fabulous show with all the emotions in it: sadness, fear, happiness, and humour. I loved being a part of such a brilliant and talented cast. My sister played Alice in the show back in 2013, but I was too young to watch, so it was particularly special for our family.

My favourite part was definitely the swings in When I Grow Up – I loved flying over the audience!

Is there anything you miss most about playing Tommy and being in the West End cast?

I’m always sad to leave a show, but it’s more about the friends I’ve made and knowing I won’t see them three or four times a week again. But we keep in touch, and on every show I’ve done, there’s always been at least one cast member I’ve performed with before. I also miss the creative team because we work so closely with them in rehearsals and during the run, but I’ve bumped into some at auditions, which is always a lovely surprise.

What was it like originating the role of Christopher Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and what was the character like to play?

This was very special because, as a new show coming to the West End, we hadn’t been able to research the role. We had no preconceived ideas about how to play it, which allowed us to make it our own. That was a new experience for me and a lot of fun. I think Christopher is quite like me – he loves his sport, has a sense of humour, and is a bit sarcastic too!

Had you seen the Robin Williams film before booking your role and how did you prepare for opening in the original West End cast in 2023?

Yes, I had seen the film years earlier but watched it again when I was auditioning. I was still performing in Elf the Musical at the time, so it helped that I was already used to the American accent. As a new show, we had a longer technical rehearsal period than normal, which helped us all in the build-up to opening night, as you get to see all the team’s input and how they make the show come alive.

What was it like working on a Christmas show when you played Michael Hobbs in Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre?

It was strange singing Christmas songs while rehearsing in October, but it felt so special by the time we opened. The atmosphere was electric, with audience members dressed as elves and Santas! It even snowed inside the theatre at the end of the show – it was such a buzzing atmosphere.

When theatres could reopen after they were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you joined Mary Poppins in the West End as Michael Banks, what are some of your favourite memories from making your West End debut in the musical, and how was it performing at West End Live?

Mary Poppins is the most magical show, and making my debut with it was incredible. My family had no idea how involved Jane and Michael were until they watched the show on opening night. I had never danced or sung before, so my sisters and mum were apparently crying! Opening after the pandemic was a mix of happy and sad emotions. We had daily COVID tests before entering the theatre for months, and the audience wore masks, which hid part of their reaction. But understanding what the adult cast and crew had been through, especially while theatres were closed, made it a very poignant time. In fact, I contracted COVID 10 days before we were supposed to open. This meant my partner, Katie, could not attend the tech and dress runs, and we had to rehearse on Zoom every day by ourselves. We were also sent home from a show in December when the theatre had to close again due to crew members having the virus.

My favourite scene was, of course, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – all the cast are on stage, dressed as their quirky characters. There’s so much going on in this magical shop; I wished it was real!

West End Live was unreal. I remember our bus from Victoria was diverted that day, which took us past Trafalgar Square. I could see how huge the setup was, which was quite daunting. But once I was at the theatre with Katie and the rest of the cast, I felt excited. We all walked from the Prince Edward Theatre to Trafalgar Square in costume, which was fun and helped calm my nerves. It’s something I’ll never forget, and I feel so lucky to have it recorded to watch back.

How was it getting into character as Michael Banks and performing the music and choreography?

I was nine when I started the audition process, which was a similar age to Michael, so that part came naturally. As I mentioned, I don’t attend dance or singing classes, so I was learning from the amazing creative team and watching the adults, which I owe a lot to.

As a screen actor, you played an Urchin Child in the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane, how was this?

It was a very different and new experience, seeing how film works with all the crew visible, as opposed to being hidden like they are in theatre. It was a fascinating insight into the film world.

How did you originally get into performing and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I joined a local drama class with a friend. Then we both auditioned for a local pantomime and we both got parts. There, I met older boys who were talking about agents, so I asked my mum what one was and if I could get one. Daisy and Dukes have seen things in me that I didn’t know I could do. As a result, I’ve learned ‘on the job’ by watching the incredible talent around me. I always do it for the fun and see what comes of it.

Do you have any favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch, and are there any theatre shows you’d like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

I love action movies and I’m rewatching all the Marvel movies at the moment. I also like comedies, particularly Adam Sandler ones. My sisters and I get tickets to a show every Christmas, which means I get to see their choices too. I appreciate all types of theatre because I know what goes on behind the scenes with rehearsals, stage management, lighting, sound, etc. One of the most impactful shows for me was The Little Big Things, which I saw a few years ago. The storyline was very relatable, and the intimacy of the theatre and simple set was clever. I could really understand how the actors were the whole story, which is very hard to do.

What do you enjoy doing away from acting?

Sport – all types. I play cricket, basketball, and football weekly for local and county teams. At school, I’ve also played tennis, hockey, and rugby. I also love being with my family and my dog, Elvis.

What are you hoping the next year brings for you and do you have any further upcoming projects that you can share?

I feel very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had and would love to continue with more opportunities if they come my way. I take nothing for granted but love the journey, so I enjoy the present.

I’ve just returned from an amazing month in Malta, where I was filming with the most incredibly talented cast. It was my first experience as a main cast member on film, and I was blown away by how it all works. I had my own stunts, which I loved, and I would love to do more action filming in the future.

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