Tom Felton Shrugs Off JK Rowling Controversy After Announcing Harry Potter Return
Tom Felton is shrugging off the controversy surrounding JK Rowling as he prepares to return to the Harry Potter franchise.
Last week, it was announced that the former child star would be returning to the role of Draco Malfoy, playing a grown-up version of the character as part of the Broadway play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
Tom Felton is reprising Draco Malfoy in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' on Broadway.Felton joins the show on Nov. 11 for 19 weeks. This marks Felton's Broadway debut and the first time an original 'Harry Potter' actor has joined the stage productionhttps://t.co/TQLxVS8nNApic.twitter.com/w99MJGAlhP
— Variety (@Variety) June 5, 2025
In recent years, the Harry Potter brand has been tarnished for some critics following its creator's commentary about issues relating to the trans community, which has most recently included deliberately misgendering several prolific transgender public figures.
Because of this, Tom's casting in the Broadway production of Cursed Child raised eyebrows from some fans when it was first announced.
On Sunday night, the British actor was a guest at the Tony Awards, where he announced the winner of the Best Featured Actress In A Play prize alongside Carrie Preston.
Before the ceremony, Tom was asked by Variety if he had any thoughts around the controversy surrounding Rowling, and whether it 'impacted' him.
'No, I can't say it does,' he responded. 'I'm not really that attuned to it.
'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.'
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." #TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/T7KSMNbFds
— Variety (@Variety) June 8, 2025
After the interview was shared on social media, many X users had a lot of feelings in response to Tom's comments…
That's the problem ain't it, people not caring about issues that don't 'impact them.' https://t.co/jWuZOHEfh3
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) June 9, 2025
What a privileged straight white man take.
— 🥀_ Imposter_🥀 (@Imposter_Edits) June 8, 2025
"twitterverse controversy" and it's jk rowling directly saying that the funds from her new media will go into dismantling the lives and rights of trans people.tom felton is a hideous, privileged, white cishet man. but the interviewer sucks, too. https://t.co/hXZrgKllWy
— love is a gift. confront injustice. be free. 🍉 (@sistertonin) June 8, 2025
so he's saying he's choosing to actively ignore the lives of queer people that are being endangered by rowling's views because... *checks notes* he gets money and chances to travel? sure, that's TOTALLY more important than literal lives and rights being denied! /s https://t.co/Bhr3CVuNnq
— lu⁷ extraña a vi (@teuviolet) June 9, 2025
must be nice to not have empathy and care about trans rights… https://t.co/I2WaysJbnE
— beth 🍄 (@readbybeth) June 9, 2025
Fuck Tom Felton. Fuck J.K. Rowling. You should be ashamed. https://t.co/Bo19JTOdPo
— Cowboy Peixinho 𐚁 (@Hugo_Peixinho_) June 8, 2025
'I've never seen anything bring the world together more than Potter'Ngl this fucking REEKS of narcissism. https://t.co/y1FTkXY4C4
— Red / Yangy 🏴🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (They/Them) (@RedYoungTYR) June 9, 2025
don't listen to this careless man, us slytherins PROTECT THE DOLLS 🏳️⚧️🐍 https://t.co/Sci4Cd8W8B
— w (@wavesneverseen) June 9, 2025
Anyways shoutout to the golden trio who didn't sell their souls away and support the 🏳️⚧️ community https://t.co/xhdU3wFfytpic.twitter.com/elVMYStOLV
— Aylin🇦🇲🇹🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇫🇷 (@VoilalaLucio) June 9, 2025
In 2021, Tom was asked for his 'reaction' to the backlash Rowling had received in the wake of her early comments about the trans community during an interview with ET Canada.
He responded: 'I don't have a reaction to that, I'm afraid. As I said, I'm not Mr Social Affairs. I didn't even know that that was a thing and lord knows I'm the last person that's going to wade in on opinions about what other people are saying.'
A year later, he said at a fan event: 'Personally, I love everyone. As long as we all love each other, I think the world will be a much better place.'
Tom's former co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have previously spoken out in solidarity with the trans community in light of Rowling's remarks – prompting several responses from the Harry Potter author.
Paapa Essiedu Raises Eyebrows By Calling For Trans Support After Joining Harry Potter Series
John Lithgow Reacts To Backlash Over His Casting In Controversial Harry Potter TV Series
Pedro Pascal Brands JK Rowling A 'Heinous Loser' In Light Of Supreme Court's Trans Ruling
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