Dan's been in the news constantly for his recent role in Equus; some of it good, some of it bad. He's branched out and been praised by more than a few for his acting abilities on stage, and at the other end he's been criticised for his nude scenes and smoking on stage.

What do you think though? Do you think his step out of the Potter world and into something more mature is good for his career or bad?

For me, I think this is very mature for Dan. He's only 17! And he's making this giant transition from Harry Potter to Alan Strang...they're totally different characters with different personalities. I think Dan pulled if off very well.

And his new photoshoot pictures...ah, he's hot in 'em.

Back to Equus. As for his nude scenes...I've read that it only takes 5 minutes of the show...or around that time. Hopefully, critics will pass all that and take a look at his talent that he's showing on stage. And for his smoking, it's just acting...that's what I think. He's said many times that he wants to live a healthy life, and I'm sure he knows that smoking is bad for your body.

I completely agree with you both!

I have never had a problem with what Dan is doing. I see no big deal in it, he is 17 and doing his job. As an actor, you have to sometimes do that kind of thing, and it doesn't make you a bad person, you are just playing that role. I think that people are drawing way more attention to what he's doing than they need too, there are actors and actresses who have been doing that kind of thing for ages, and some of them are around his age at the time. I myself had almost forgotten about what he has done in Equus, it has no effect on my life what so ever. I'm just happy that he is moving away from Harry Potter, there are only 3 movies left, counting the one already finished production. I want him to have a career after that. I like him trying different kinds of roles too-maybe a few bad guys-I want to see his reange and how he grows as an actor

I agree. I think it was just acting and no real reflection of Dan's real character. I will however say, that not everyone will see it that way. I think that there will be a few closed minded, overly cautious parents out there that will have seen Dan on the nightly news and become concerned. I can see them seeing him as a poor role model now. I mean, he did choose the role and knew what it entitled.

But, I think that number will be minute and Dan has proven that's he more than Harry Potter. (As if anyone needed to be anymore than Harry Potter )

I agree. I think the media is make way to big of a deal about the nude and smoking scene. I'm with Dan on what he said. He hopes people can get past all of that and see what the play is really about (something along those lines) Cause it is just a play and he is just acting. He is a really talneted actor and is just trying to expand beyoned HP wich is a good thing. I don't think people sould judge a person by what roles they take in life but on who the person really is, I drives me crazy when people change who they like as an actor/actress or singer just cause of soemthing they did. They are only human and are dong what they like. Look beyond all of that and see who they really are. But I think that Dan made a good choice in doing the play it shows that he can be more the Harry Potter. If I could I'd go see it. I think it sound fasinating.

Good points Touz and Amy! it's very sad but true. Oh well, people are still free to have their views of the situation

^Yeah, that's understandable.

The play is really brilliant which is why I'm happy that many people are praising it. But it's mainly some critics that may like the play but are just bothered by the nude scene and smoking for a seventeen year old.

If I were a parent it would probably raise my eyebrow as well. Despite Dan's real character (which I really don't mind at all. He seems to be a sweet kid, really. Level headed), his roles and actions would be influencing my child. Yes, I'm aware that it was all in character and for the role, but do all the 10-15 year olds that idolize him know that? I don't think it was enough to hurt him at all career wise, but I can certainly see both sides of his critics and praisers. He is, whether he meant for it to happen or not, a role model to many and hopefully will bear that in mind when choosing roles.

I do agree that he should choose carefully with roles cause of the younger people that look up to him, but I still don't think people should look down on him and critzise(sp) him for what he dose do for a role. But at least he is mature enought to handle it and handle the role.

He is definaitely getting more more mature going along with this play. And as many others have said, he's showing that he can be way more than Harry Potter. He can only get better from this.

I think it's fine he did that play. It was really mature of him. The nude scene had a POINT to it. Therfore, it's fine. As for smoking, he was acting. He doesn't actually do it as Daniel Radcliffe. (at least I don't think) I think the play has given him more experience and given him an opportunity (sp) to improve his acting skills.

Dan showed the world, by taking this challenging role, that he could really act. Equus is challenging not just because of the nudity but because of the subject matter and depth of character that must be portrayed. It is amazing that anyone at the age of 17 would have the maturity to pull this off, but Dan did it with distinction and class, which is more than many adults could do! He showed the world with his role in this play that he is a consumate professional that will be a force to be reconned with for decades to come!

I think this role shows that he has maturity and that he has grown up more. He has, indeed, outgrown his harry potter stage and after this play, i'm sure some people will find it weird to see him in the movies. I think that it was a bit contruversal that he would do something like this since he has many child fans along with adult. I'm sure that many parents find this a bit of a shock since maybe their kids looked up to him and now he's doing nude scenes on stage. I personally didn't mind this and i thought that this was just him breaking away from his Harry Potter stage. I enjoyed hearing that he has finally grown up and is doing more then just kids movies.

yeah,i felt dan did a huge risk when he did equus..i mean acting is one thing. acting on stage is v difficult.
i did a time on stage so i know..thr's no room 4 mistakes,flips etc on stage,it's on d time acting n also it's 4 a length of time.1 mth or 3 mths.

plus dan is acting naked on stage,on film it's easy,i mean tht person can be 1/2 naked n pretend 2 be fully naked w. camera angles..

but on stage,it's all or nothing..so dan's really brave n he did pull it off.

he's amazing..so so good in his equus acting..i really think it's a great leap 4 a teen boy..
he's naked even b4 he's of legal age...lol..he's 18 only 23rd july.