Tom Felton sparks backlash after expressing gratitude to J.K. Rowling

Euronews

3 days ago

Tom Felton has ignited fierce debate online after voicing support for Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling during an interview with Variety at the 2025 Tony Awards.
The 37-year-old actor, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the film franchise and set to reprise the role on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was asked about his stance on the controversy surrounding Rowling's views on transgender rights.
'I'm not really that attuned. 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.'
His comments have sparked a wave of differing reactions - while some applauded him for what they called a 'classy response,' others condemned it as 'atrocious,' 'spineless,' and 'disappointing.'
'Thank goodness someone in that franchise learned not to bite the hand that feeds him,' one user wrote on X. Another added, 'Who would have thought Draco would be the most level-headed.'
However, many feel let down by his comments.
'This is what privilege looks like, and we shouldn't ignore how much harm looking the other way because things don't affect us directly does,' one declared.
Another said: 'That's the problem ain't it, people not caring about issues that don't 'impact them'.'
Since 2020, the once-widely celebrated J.K. Rowling has alienated and angered many fans through her contentious online comments regarding gender identity and trans rights - including her claim that trans women 'are not women' and her refusal to use people's preferred pronouns - writing that she would 'rather go to jail' than do so. Critics have labelled her a 'TERF' (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a term Rowling has since embraced publicly.
Her remarks prompted the three lead actors of the original film franchise - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint - to publicly distance themselves from her.
Radcliffe told The Atlantic last year that her views 'make me really sad,' adding: 'Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.'
Watson has expressed her support for the trans community, saying: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are."
Grint echoed this sentiment: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement."
Rowling has made it clear she won't forgive the actors who publicly disagreed with her. 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights... can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,' she wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the wizarding world of Harry Potter continues to expand.
A new HBO reboot series is in the works, with Rowling on board as an executive producer. The casting for the central trio was announced last month, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout set to play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively.
Over 30,000 children auditioned for the roles in an open casting call last year.
They will join a stacked supporting cast including six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch.
New additions were also revealed early this week: Johnny Flynn will portray Lucius Malfoy, with rising star Lox Pratt as Draco. The Morning Show's Bel Powley and BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby will play Petunia and Vernon Dursley, while Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) will take on the role of Molly Weasley.
Despite continued controversy around Rowling's public statements, HBO has stood by her involvement in the project: 'J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.'
Early on Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted and seized a boat called the Madleen, which was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in what activists said was a protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
A group of activists, including Greta Thunberg, will be returned to their home countries after the Gaza-bound boat they were travelling on was seized, Israeli authorities said.
Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel."
Thunberg shared news of the campaign in a video update on 2 June that saw her wear a Fontaines D.C. charity jersey and raise awareness for the 'Freedom Flotilla' trip, with the boat departing from Italy.
The group has claimed that authorities had 'forcibly intercepted' the boat and acted with 'total impunity.'
Une publication partagée par Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@gazafreedomflotilla)
Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser, shared: 'Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade - their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.'
Thunberg accused Israel of "kidnapping" her and reached out for global support. In a statement, she said: 'I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible'.
The entertainment world has responded to the interception of the boat.
Legendary rock band Garbage reshared a post that called for 'the release of all involved immediately,' and before posting an update with the caption: 'All eyes on the @gazafreedomflotilla . Let aid in. What is happening to the Palestinians is monstrous. How many more dead children do we have to see before the world acts?!?'
Singer-songwriter Cat Power shared an update on Instagram pushing for the release of Thunberg and the activists. 'We demand the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,' the singer shared in the caption, before listing out the names of those who were onboard the Madleen. 'THE WORLD MUST ACT NOW. THIS IS A CRISIS.'
Une publication partagée par CAT POWER (@catpowerofficial)
Norwegian singer Aurora shared an update that claimed the Israeli government offered Thunberg the option to 'attack, arrest, or turn back', while Irish rap group Kneecap shared an earlier update that said: 'Solidarity with Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones actor) and all on the 'freedom flotilla' to Gaza'.
British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah also shared a video made by an activist on the Madleen, which said: 'This is not the world you want to leave behind to your children. When you look into the faces of your children, know there are children in Gaza, the same age, and they have the same rights. They have the right to live in dignity, they have the right to live free. They have the right to just live. Do everything in your power, keep your eyes on us and remember why we are here. You need to do the real work, and that is to stop your government from sending weapons to Israel to commit these war crimes and atrocities.'
Une publication partagée par Nadine Shah (@nadineshah)
Bambie Thug, last year's Eurovision entry for Ireland, also reposted an update that read: 'We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed', while author Matt Haig shared the following regarding Greta Thunberg and the criticism aimed at the young activist: 'Like her. Don't like her. But she is the opposite of 'performative'. She is literally heading into a genocide with a target on her back.'
Une publication partagée par Matt Haig (@mattzhaig)
After an almost three-month blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month. Humanitarian workers and experts say it is not enough and have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive.
An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta, organisers said.
The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.