Kristina Roberts
Tom Felton, the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the famous Harry Potter movies, is once again stepping into the magical world, this time on a live stage in the United States. Fans were thrilled when they heard he would be returning to play Draco in the Broadway version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. With his trademark platinum blond hair, elegant black costume, and that same sneaky smile, it felt like the Draco Malfoy everyone remembered was back again. But even with the excitement, not everyone feels the same way, and a big reason for that is J.K. Rowling.
J.K. Rowling, the woman who wrote the Harry Potter books, has faced a lot of criticism in recent years. Many people have spoken out about her views on the LGBTQ+ community, especially her comments on transgender issues. These opinions have caused quite a stir online and in real life. Some people have said they no longer want to support anything related to Harry Potter because they feel disappointed by what Rowling has said. Others argue that the books and movies meant a lot to them growing up and that they can still enjoy the magic without agreeing with everything the author says. This ongoing argument has made things tricky for the stars who were part of the Harry Potter world, especially now that some are returning to work on new Harry Potter projects.
When asked if Rowling’s views affected his decision to return or how he feels about being part of this world again, Tom Felton said, “No, I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned.” He added something that many fans found touching. He said, “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.” These words show that Felton still feels thankful to Rowling for creating the magical world that made him famous. But at the same time, he tries to stay out of the online noise and focus more on the fans, the joy, and the experience of performing.
Felton also talked about what it feels like to be performing live on stage again. It’s very different from acting in movies. In films, actors usually shoot scenes over many months, and everything gets edited later. But in a live show, there are no second takes. Everything happens in real time. Felton shared, “I think the most exciting part is to do it live. It took nine months, more or less, to shoot a film. And this is all compact. This is all reimagined into a very lovely, new, tight story. And I get to be a dad, which has been fun.” For fans who haven’t read the stage version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the story takes place many years after the original books, and Draco is now a father. Seeing Felton play this older, more mature version of Draco adds a fresh layer to the character.
The play will be performed at the Lyric Theatre in New York City. It’s not going to run forever, though. The show will begin on November 11, 2025, and it will end on March 22, 2026. That gives fans about 19 weeks to see the magic happen live. The script of the play was written by Jack Thorne, based on a story created along with J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany. What’s special about this Broadway version is that Tom Felton is the only actor from the original movies who has returned to play the same role on stage. This makes it a special experience for fans who grew up watching him in the films.
But with all the attention comes a question: Will Tom Felton continue with the show? Or might he walk away if the controversy around Rowling gets worse? At the moment, Felton seems happy to be back. He’s excited about the chance to perform live, connect with fans, and bring this version of Draco to life. But things can change quickly. If fans become more divided or if new problems arise related to Rowling’s comments, it could impact the future of the play—and Felton’s place in it.
It’s not just about one actor or one author anymore. The Harry Potter world is now something bigger. It belongs to millions of fans across the globe who found comfort, courage, and friendship in the stories. Some people feel that by continuing to support new projects, they are ignoring important social issues. Others believe they can still enjoy the magic while standing up for what they believe in. For Felton, the goal seems to be bringing people together, just like the books once did.
Even though he tries to avoid the noise around Rowling, Felton isn’t pretending it doesn’t exist. By saying he’s grateful for what Rowling created, he’s recognizing her role. At the same time, he focuses more on the impact that Harry Potter has had around the world. From children learning to read, to adults finding comfort in hard times, the stories have done a lot of good. And for many fans, seeing Draco Malfoy come to life again—especially through someone who clearly cares about the role—is something worth celebrating.
But whether Felton stays with the show for the full run or decides to step away later, one thing is clear: the magic of Harry Potter is still alive, but it’s also more complicated now. In the past, it was just about wizards, spells, and adventures. Today, it’s also about real-world conversations, opinions, and decisions. Every actor and fan has to choose how they want to be part of it. And that choice isn’t always easy.
For now, fans in the U.S. have a chance to see Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy one more time, live on stage. Whether they go to relive their childhood or to see what new magic this older version of Draco brings, it’s a rare moment in the Harry Potter universe. And like any moment in the wizarding world, it may not last forever.
