New and old Dean collide in magical Harry Potter encounter

Elijah Oshin meets Alfred Enoch, Dean Thomas from the movies, in magical moment fans are calling “when Dean met Dean”

Elijah Oshin, who has been cast as Dean Thomas in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, had an adorable encounter with Alfred Enoch, the actor who played Dean in the original Harry Potter films, and fans are absolutely obsessed with it. Reports from social communities show that the pair crossed paths on 30 December 2025, creating an unforgettable moment people are already calling “when Dean meets Dean.”

The new HBO television adaptation of Harry Potter will revisit Hogwarts with a fresh generation of actors while staying true to the beloved story that millions grew up with. Elijah Oshin, confirmed as the new Dean Thomas, is part of a carefully chosen cast that includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, alongside a host of other young talents who will bring the classic characters to life in a richly detailed world.

Dean Thomas may not have been one of the trio of heroes, but he was a loyal and creative Gryffindor student in the original series, and Alfred Enoch’s performance in the films earned enduring love from audiences around the world. Enoch’s portrayal remains iconic to longtime fans, and that made his meeting with Oshin feel like a symbolic passing of the torch in a saga that still means so much to many.

The clip and images shared online show the two actors smiling and chatting together, and fans rushed to social platforms to share their joy. One popular comment thread exploded with supportive reactions, expressing affection for both actors and excitement about Oshin’s casting. Fans pointed out little details in Oshin’s performance style that reminded them of Enoch’s Dean, sparking a wave of nostalgia.

Online responses didn’t just celebrate the moment they met; they also sparked broader excitement about the HBO series itself, which is slated to premiere in early 2027 on HBO and HBO Max following years of anticipation and production updates. The show promises to retell the events of the original books with extended screen time and deeper exploration of characters like Dean.