Daniel Radcliffe recalls 'Harry Potter' cast reaction to 'The Devil Wears Prada' manuscript scene

Daniel Radcliffe has reflected on how the cast of the Harry Potter films reacted to a well-known scene in The Devil Wears Prada that suggests advance copies of the book series could be obtained before publication.

In the 2006 film, editor Miranda Priestley, played by Meryl Streep, assigns her assistant Andrea Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, the task of securing unpublished copies of the next Harry Potter book for her children. The moment has become one of the film’s most frequently quoted scenes.

Speaking on Bustle’s One Nightstand podcast, Radcliffe said the scenario was unrealistic based on his experience working on the Harry Potter films.

"No, you had to wait 'til drop day, as well. I remember in the movie The Devil Wears Prada, there's like a subplot that she has to find a version of Harry Potter before [it's published]. I remember we all saw that and were like, 'Good luck.'"

Radcliffe explained that publisher Bloomsbury kept a tight level of secrecy around the book series while it was still being released. According to the actor, members of the main cast did not receive advance copies of the novels while filming the film adaptations.

"I think Alan Rickman was the only person from the cast who was told anything in advance," Radcliffe said, adding that he, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and the rest of the young cast “certainly didn't get anything.”

Author J.K. Rowling had previously confirmed that she shared a key detail about Severus Snape with Rickman early in the film series. She told the actor that Snape had been in love with Lily, Harry Potter’s mother.

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the films, also questioned the film scene in a past interview.

"Actually, the most grating thing I've ever seen in a movie is in The Devil Wears Prada, when those two little kids get the Harry Potter books ahead of time," she said. "I was like, 'Are you kidding? That would never, ever, ever happen!'"