The Harry Potter fandom is once again in turmoil - this time, over Tom Felton’s blunt response when asked about the controversy surrounding author JK Rowling’s views.
Felton, 37, is set to return to the wizarding world as Draco Malfoy in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in New York from November 11, becoming the first actor from the original film franchise to reprise their role on stage.
The announcement generated major buzz and immediate controversy, due to Rowling’s divisive public stance on gender identity.
While walking the red carpet at the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday (June 8), the star was asked whether the author's views “impact you at all or impact your work in the world of Harry Potter at all".
His response was curt: “No, I can’t say it does. 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.”
Felton's comments, which quickly made the rounds on social media, left many fans reeling.
“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. Don't be Tom Felton,” one person wrote.
Another post read: “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."
Others labeled Felton’s answer “spineless” and “disappointing,” comparing it unfavorably to how other Harry Potter stars have handled the controversy.
"Well that ruined my childhood… I used to be a big Draco fan as a kid and thought Tom Felton was awesome… this is SO disappointing. Shame on him," one person added.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have each publicly opposed Rowling’s stance.
Radcliffe wrote in an essay for The Trevor Project: “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people.”
Watson also stood firm: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned.” Grint echoed the 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 judgment," per BBC News.
Their opposition hasn’t gone unnoticed by the author, who said she’s unlikely to forgive the trio, and accused them of “cozying up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights".
On social media, she even appeared to take a swipe at them, replying to a question about actors who ruin films with, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” she penned, followed by laughing emojis.
Felton has consistently taken a neutral position on the subject.
In 2022, he told The Times: “I couldn’t speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest... I’m constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I’ve only had a handful of meetings with her, but she has always been lovely. So I’m very grateful for that.”
He added: “I’m pro. I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-life. I’m pro discussion. I’m pro love. I don’t tend to pick sides. I won’t talk specifics, but I enjoy reminding myself and others that a lot of my good friends have ways of life or personal decisions that I don’t necessarily agree with. We should enjoy celebrating each other’s differences.”
Meanwhile, interest in the Harry Potter universe continues with a new HBO series slated for 2027, featuring John Lithgow as Dumbledore.
Lithgow has also weighed in on the backlash, calling it “odd” and saying Rowling’s views “shouldn’t be a factor at all," per The Independent.