Tom Felton has expressed support for the Harry Potter author JK Rowling, saying he is “not really attuned” to the controversy over Rowling’s gender-critical views.
Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the successful series of Harry Potter films, was asked directly about his position on the controversy by Variety at the Tony awards ceremony on Sunday. Felton said: “I can’t say it [impacts me], I’m not really that attuned to it.”
He added: “I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
Felton, who will play Malfoy in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has previously made similar statements supportive of Rowling, telling the Times in 2022 that “no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations”.
His attitude appears to be in contrast to those of his Potter franchise co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star Eddie Redmayne, each of whom have made critical statements distancing themselves from Rowling since controversy erupted in 2020 after Rowling posted an online statement detailing her experience of sexual assault and criticising proposed changes to gender recognition laws.
Pedro Pascal recently called Rowling a “heinous loser” while Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Severus Snape in a forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, was among the 1,500 entertainment industry figures who signed an open letter opposing the UK supreme court’s April ruling on the Equality Act.
