Johnny Flynn has opened up about stepping into the shoes of Lucius Malfoy for HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, calling the role a “giddy” experience as both a fan and actor.
The Emma and Lovesick star, 42, will take over the role made famous by Jason Isaacs, portraying the aristocratic and ruthless father of Draco Malfoy in the new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s book saga.
Speaking to The Standard at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of his new film & Sons, Flynn said: “It’s good, I’ve only done a little bit and I’m just giddy as a fan of the stories, of the books really.
“I still remember reading the books as a teenager and they meant so much to me and so much to my kids so it’s really cool to be apart of this.”
When asked if he’d reached out to Isaacs for advice, he added: “We haven’t spoke since I got cast but we did a film together a few years ago and we got on very well and he’s a sweetheart so.”
Isaacs, 62, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy throughout the original Harry Potter film series, publicly backed Flynn’s casting in June.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Isaacs said: “A fantastic actor, a lovely man and, irritatingly, a rather brilliant musician too. Couldn’t have handed the snake-topped baton on to anyone better.
“Just please don’t make him sing…” he quipped.
Flynn joins a new generation of actors reimagining the wizarding world, including Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Child actor Lox Pratt will play Draco Malfoy, the role originated by Tom Felton.
The HBO series, announced as a decade-long retelling of Rowling’s seven novels, began filming in July and aims to stay closer to the books than the original films.
Away from Hogwarts, Flynn stars opposite Dominic West. Noah Jupe, Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton in the upcoming drama & Sons, an adaptation of David Gilbert’s 2013 novel co-written by Oscar-winner Sarah Polley and directed by Pablo Trapero.
The film follows reclusive novelist Andrew Dyer (Nighy) who reunites his estranged sons — played by Flynn and 1917’s George MacKay — for a revelation that upends their family history.
Speaking about working with Nighy and Staunton, Flynn said: “Bill and Imelda have been heroes of mine for a long time so it’s been amazing to have them as my screen parents.”
He added: “I love this film for being that about family and family trauma and dealing with it realness but a lot of humour as well in these awkward situations and I love Bill Nighy so and I love everyone in it so it was great.”
