One of the original stars of Harry Potter is stepping back into the Wizarding World at a time when the franchise’s creator is at the center of renewed public backlash. Tom Felton, known for portraying Draco Malfoy in all eight Harry Potter films, will reprise his role on Broadway this fall in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The show, which picks up decades after the events of the final book, casts Felton as an adult version of the Slytherin character he first brought to life at just 13 years old.
Felton’s return to the franchise comes at a delicate moment for the Wizarding World brand. Many former fans have distanced themselves from Harry Potter over J.K. Rowling’s ongoing and outspoken views about transgender identity. The author has repeatedly drawn criticism for promoting what critics describe as anti-trans rhetoric online and in the media. In 2024, she donated £70,000 to an organization that helped strip transgender women of legal protections under U.K. equality law.
Felton appeared at the 2025 Tony Awards just days after the Broadway production announced his casting. When Variety asked whether Rowling’s controversy affects how he sees the work, Felton replied, “I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned to it.”
Tom Felton says the controversy around J.K. Rowling’s political views doesn’t impact him: “I’m not really that attuned to it…I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.” #TonyAwards
Tom Felton says the controversy around J.K. Rowling's political views doesn't impact him: "I'm not really that attuned to it…I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/T7KSMNbFds
— Variety (@Variety) June 8, 2025
He went on to say, “The only thing I always remind myself, is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world, here I am in New York, and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she’s responsible for that. So I’m incredibly grateful.”
The quote quickly spread across social media, sparking renewed backlash. Some critics interpreted Felton’s gratitude toward Rowling as an endorsement or indifference to her political activism.
“If he didn’t have Harry Potter he would be a nothing actor with a failed career, but instead he’s a nothing actor with a dying career,” u/Bruhh__69 wrote on Reddit.
Another user, u/daevastating, drew a comparison between Felton and his co-stars. “This is why Daniel Radcliffe will always be thriving, successful, and beloved.”
Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all spoken publicly in support of the transgender community, distancing themselves from Rowling in recent years. Their outspoken statements even prompted Rowling to post a sarcastic comment about the trio on social media earlier this year.
However, not everyone was critical of Felton’s response. Some fans argued that the actor’s comments reflected a desire to avoid politics more than any sort of alignment with Rowling’s views.
“More people should be like this,” u/KaleidoKnight argued. “Apparently when it comes to HP Reddit is utterly unable to separate art from artist. Most people don’t actually care. And that is how it should be.”
Others noted that the Harry Potter franchise remains immensely popular despite the controversy.
“I honestly don’t blame him for not making a statement. The age of many people who grew up with Harry Potter are 35+ and are the adult demographic who grew up with the franchise who are in the position to pay to fly to NY and purchase tickets for the show due to TF appearing,” u/araucaria2024 said. “Many of those people are not on twitter, don’t care about it or they agree with her.”
Tom Felton will appear in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in New York City from November 11, 2025, through March 22, 2026.
Do you think Tom Felton answered the reporter’s question appropriately? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
