Harry Potter star Tom Felton sparks backlash with ‘atrocious’ JK Rowling comments

Posted on by Samantha

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the 2001-2011 Harry Potter films, has claimed he’s “not attuned” to JK Rowling’s controversial views about transgender people.

The 37-year-old actor, who is set to reprise his original role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, attended the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday (8 June) and answered a series of red carpet questions about his Broadway role, which will premiere in November this year.

Felton was asked whether JK Rowling’s views impacted him or his work in the franchise. In response to Variety’s question, Felton said: “No, I can’t say it does.

“I’m not really that attuned to it,” he continued.

“The only thing I always remind myself is that I have 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. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”

The 37-year-old English actor’s response has been met with anger and disappointment, with many pointing out that his fellow Harry Potter castmates have had no problem speaking out in support of transgender people, and distancing themselves from JK Rowling’s position.

In just a few years, JK Rowling has gone from almost-universally beloved children’s author to one of the most divisive and controversial figures in the UK due to her regular comments about trans people and their rights, as well as taking aim at other marginalised groups, such as the asexual community.

In a post on 6 April, Rowling posted to her X account to take aim at those who identify as asexual – a LGBTQ+ sexual orientation characterised by a lack of or very low sexual attraction to others.

“Happy International Fake Oppression Day to everyone who wants complete strangers to know they don’t fancy a shag,” Rowling wrote above a graphic intended to educate people on what asexuality is.

She recently announced the launch of the JK Rowling Women’s Fund to help support ‘gender-critical’ legal cases.

“I’m not really that attuned to it”

Many people took to social media to criticise Tom Felton’s response to the question.

“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,” said one post in response.

Others have criticised the actor not only for his answer to the question, but also for his continued association with Rowling.

“Literally every Harry Potter actor from the original series has moved on with their lives and starred in new things yet tom felton is reprising his role as draco malfoy and is putting more money into jkr’s pockets,” another post stated.

“This is such an atrocious answer that it actually got a laugh out of me,” a third person shared.

Others offered an alternative for Felton, if he has to face similar questions in the future.

“Pointing at something, yelling “WHAT’S THAT?!” and then running away would’ve been a less embarrassing response.”

Another online commenter used the opportunity to share the message: “trans rights.”

Alongside this, they posted the responses of Harry Potter alums Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry Potter), Emma Watson (who played Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (who played Ron Weasley), the franchise’s three main characters. All of them have spoken out in support of the transgender community.

Felton is set to portray Draco Malfoy 19 years after the events of Rowling’s final Harry Potter novel in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The show follows Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco as they send their children off to Hogwarts. 

With his casting, Felton is the first cast member from the famed film franchise to reprise their role in the stage production. It also marks his Broadway debut; he’ll star in the play from November 2025 until March 2026.

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