A documentary about Daniel Radcliffe’s former stunt double, who was left paralysed following an accident on-set, will soon be available on demand at Sky Documentaries and NOW.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived follows the former stunt performer through the major milestones of his life. Holmes spent his teenage years as a gymnast, before being selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Holmes returned for each subsequent film, growing up alongside Radcliffe, until sustaining a debilitating spinal injury whilst preparing for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I.
While rehearsing a flying sequence, a planned explosion saw Holmes fall from a harness and break his neck. Holmes was ultimately paralysed from the waist down, and began using a wheelchair.
The documentary is executive produced by Daniel Radcliffe, and directed by Dan Hartley (Lad: A Yorkshire Story). It is produced by Lightbox and Ripple – the latter being the production company co-founded by Holmes – for HBO Documentary Films, in association with Sky.
The film includes interviews with both Holmes and Radcliffe, as well as their family, friends and former crew members. Also included is personal footage from the past decade, behind-the-scenes looks at Holmes’s stunt performances and a view of his current life.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived arrives on Sky Documentaries and streaming platform NOW on 18 November.