Harry Potter icon Tom Felton has opened up about reprising Draco Malfoy on Broadway later this 12 months and addressed the controversy surrounding JK Rowling’s trans opinions. The actor, 37, appeared on the Tony Awards purple carpet in his first public look since saying his return to enjoying Draco in Harry Potter And The Cursed Little one. Felton was inevitably requested in regards to the “controversy” surrounding the Harry Potter creator, which has seen her face widespread backlash and criticism. Within the wake of his Broadway debut within the play, Felton was requested by Selection if Rowling’s views “influence you in any respect or influence your work on the planet of Harry Potter in any respect”.
Tom replied, “No, I can’t say it does. I’m not likely that attuned to it. The one factor I at all times remind myself is that I’ve been fortunate sufficient to journey the world – right here I’m in New York – and I’ve not seen something carry the world collectively greater than Potter. And she or he’s accountable for that, so I’m extremely grateful.” Tom beforehand informed The Occasions in 2022 that he describes himself as somebody who “does not decide sides,” and he added that although he’d solely had just a few conferences with JK Rowling, he labelled her as “pretty” and was “grateful” for “her constructive work in that discipline and as an individual.”
He mentioned, “I couldn’t converse for what others have mentioned or what she mentioned, to be fully trustworthy, however I’m typically reminded, attending Comedian Cons particularly, that nobody has single-handedly accomplished extra for bringing pleasure to so many various generations and walks of life.”
His feedback have been met with a combined response, with a number of outraged followers criticising him and saying that they had been “disenchanted” in him. One individual mentioned on X, “That’s the issue ain’t it, individuals not caring about points that don’t ‘influence them’.”
One other fumed, “What would a privileged straight white cis male know in regards to the oppression confronted by my trans colleagues?”
A 3rd bluntly declared, “I imply, you need to distance your self from Rowling. Her Harry Potter earnings go to anti-transgender organizations.”
A fourth echoed, “So he’s saying he’s selecting to actively ignore the lives of queer individuals which are being endangered by Rowling’s views as a result of… *checks notes* he will get cash and possibilities to journey? Certain, that’s TOTALLY extra vital than literal lives and rights being denied!”
Nonetheless, many supporters of Rowling have praised Tom’s response to the query, with one individual saying, “Nice reply by Tom Felton. Who knew Draco Malfoy was the rational one.”
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, who performed different main roles within the Harry Potter movie franchise, have overtly spoken out towards Rowling’s views and distanced themselves from her.
Tom Felton made his debut as Draco Malfoy within the massively profitable franchise when he was simply 12 years previous. The announcement implies that he’ll turn into the primary solid member from the unique movies to reprise their position within the stage manufacturing.
