Newsround gets Deep and Dark with Dan Radcliffe

by Lizo Mzimba for CBBC Newsround, 28th May 2004

Daniel Radcliffe is back with the third instalment of the Harry Potter films.

This time it's darker and more depressing. Lizo caught up with him to find out more.

Lizo: This was a much more emotional film for you - how did you cope with that?

Daniel: Basically because Harry and me are the same emotional age, we are going through the same things at the same time. Because Harry feels things a lot stronger, I just had to take my own feelings and exaggerate them to the point where it feels natural for Harry.

Lizo: What was it like working with Alfonso - a different director with a different style?

Daniel: It was good. Everything I learnt with Chris Columbus I was able to put into practise on this film. He challenged me and I tend to do better when something's difficult. It's kept me on my toes and kept me fresh.

Lizo: What were the most challenging scenes to do in this movie?

Daniel: One of them was with Gary Oldman at the end. We're facing off the Dementors, across the lake. I had to do the biggest expecto patronum, but I hadn't really given myself anywhere to go because I had done lots of high energy, intense ones. So I had to push myself even harder - that was quite hard. But really good.

Lizo: When you are not filming what kind of stuff are you up to? What music are you listening to at the moment?

Daniel: I've got into bands like The Pixies in a major way, The Zutons, The Libertines, The Cribs, The Strokes. Nirvana, I've just bought the Nirvana anthology which is amazing. And there's a Las Vegas synth-rock band called The Killers - who aren't that aggressive - and are brilliant!

I've been watching a lot of films and reading a lot more than I used to.

Lizo: What's it like being the most famous schoolboy on the face of the planet? Do you get recognised walking around with your friends and how do you cope with it?

Daniel: I do, but it's not been much of a problem because they aren't saying negative things, if they were being nasty it would be a whole different thing but they aren't. They are being perfectly nice and saying positive things about the film too. So, there's no problem really.

Lizo: Most people think this film is about you and Sirius Black - but actually it's really about a cat and a rat - what is the cat like?

Daniel: It's horrific! It looks like it's been thrown against a wall! It's an ugly cat, but very sweet. I'm not a cat person though, I'm a dog lover myself. So there goes all the audience of Harry Potter who likes cats!

But the sideline story between Ron and Hermione is one of my favourites, as it's just a cover-up so they can get attention of each other. There's a huge amount of sexual tension between them, which is great and provides much-needed comic relief because the film is very depressing and angry.

Lizo: Do you think Ron and Hermione are suited?

Daniel: Yeah absolutely, very much so - they are complete polar opposites but suit each other perfectly.

Lizo: Do you get to snog in this one? 

Daniel: In the fourth one I don't know. It's not in the book - but I don't know if it will be in the script. I can live in hope!