Daniel Radcliffe on Love Triangles, the Friend Zone, and Getting Dating Advice from Adam Driver

“I’ve never been the third wheel before! But there’s a first time for everything, right?” — Daniel Radcliffe

Interview by KRISTINA MOSKALENKO

In his romantic comedy What If, Daniel Radcliffe takes a break from the wizarding world to play Wallace, a charmingly awkward guy who falls—hard—for his new friend Chantry, played by indie darling Zoe Kazan. The catch? She already has a boyfriend. Cue one of the most relatable love triangle stories of all time, where Radcliffe’s Wallace must navigate the treacherous waters of unspoken feelings, late-night text chats, and yes—the dreaded friend zone.

Adding to the rom-com magic? Wallace’s wingman is played by none other than Adam Driver—yes, that Adam Driver from Girls and Star Wars—who dishes out dating wisdom like a brooding love guru.

We met with Daniel Radcliffe in London to talk heartbreak on screen, the awkwardness of unrequited crushes, and what his real-life dating game looks like when he’s not dodging Dementors or getting drenched in fake blood.

KRISTINA MOSKALENKO: So in What If, Adam from Girls is giving dating advice to Harry Potter. That’s… surreal, no?

DANIEL RADCLIFFE: [Laughs] Right? But honestly—I think it’s kind of amazing. If you’re into Girls and you grew up on Harry Potter, this movie is basically made for you. That said, when we were filming, I wasn’t thinking about the crossover potential. Working with Adam was just pure fun. He’s such a good improviser—you never know what he’s going to do next, which keeps you sharp and I also learned a lot from him.

MOSKALENKO: Did it feel like a totally different kind of shoot for you?

RADCLIFFE: Oh, completely. Nobody dragged me through mud, poured fake blood on me, or made me scream in anguish. Compared to what I’ve done before, this was like… a vacation. And I think part of that ease comes from the fact that I’m more comfortable in my own skin these days. I’m figuring things out, growing up a bit—and hopefully that shows on screen.

MOSKALENKO: And being the awkward third in a love triangle—ever happened in real life?

RADCLIFFE: Never! At least, not that I know of. But, hey—there’s a first time for everything, right?

MOSKALENKO: You slip into Wallace’s skin so effortlessly. What made you say yes to a rom-com? Not exactly every guy’s dream gig.

RADCLIFFE: [Laughs] True. But I just really liked Wallace—he’s got this awkward sweetness, kind of stumbles through things, but he’s clever too. There’s a bit early on where he corrects Chantry’s grammar—like, straight-up edits her sentence—and it’s so nerdy, but also hilarious and weirdly charming. That hooked me.

People have said we were trying to turn the rom-com on its head, but honestly, we weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. We just wanted to make something honest and smart. Usually in these films, the girl’s boyfriend is some kind of a jerk, so you don’t feel bad when she dumps him. But in What If, her boyfriend’s actually a good guy. Like, really decent. So her choice isn’t easy—and that feels way more like real life. Relationships aren’t black and white; most of the time, they live in this messy gray space.

MOSKALENKO: Ever been in a “messy gray space” yourself?

RADCLIFFE: I did fall for a girl who was a friend once. Nothing ever happened, and thank God for that. Looking back, we never would’ve stayed friends if we’d tried to date. Some doors are better left closed.

MOSKALENKO: So… next question is kind of obvious: do you believe in platonic friendships between men and women?

RADCLIFFE: Fingers crossed—yeah. But only if they are not attracted to each other. That’s the deal, at least in my experience.

MOSKALENKO: Okay, let’s take girls out of the picture—what makes you happy when you’re off the clock?

RADCLIFFE: I love a good nothing day. Like, watch dumb TV, wander around, read some pop science and pretend I’m smarter than I am. I’m into comedies—The Simpsons, South Park—and documentaries. Also big into climbing, hiking, running. Actually, pro tip for anyone trying to quit smoking: start running. Worked for me.

MOSKALENKO: Wow. You’re basically Mr. Healthy Lifestyle. But do you ever hit the bar or local pub, or is it just early runs and green juice? No fans chasing you down on treadmills?

RADCLIFFE: [Laughs] In New York, no one cares. I’m just another guy in sneakers. But in London, yeah—I’ve got to throw on a hat and keep my head down a bit. Still, I go to pubs. I like a pint as much as anyone. Though sometimes, after a few drinks, someone gets bold and comes over like, “Hey mate, where’s your broomstick?” or starts in with “Got your invisibility cloak on?”

And I’m just standing there thinking, “Really? You sat in the corner for two hours working up the nerve—and that’s the best you’ve got?”

MOSKALENKO: So you’re still not over the Harry Potter jokes?

RADCLIFFE: It’s not that. I’m fine with people referencing roles I’ve played. I just wish the jokes were… a bit sharper. You know? Just, give me something clever to work with!

Originally published in the Interview Magazine Russia edition for September 2014: https://interviewrussia.ru/movie/deniel-redkliff-ya-eshche-nikogda-ne-byl-tretim-lishnim-hotya-vsemu-svoe-vremya-verno/