Inside 'Harry Potter' Star Tom Felton’s Recent Comments On J.K. Rowling

"Harry Potter" star Tom Felton is stirring up strong reactions online after sharing his thoughts on J.K. Rowling during a candid interview at the 2025 Tony Awards.

The 37-year-old actor, best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" films from 2001 to 2011, is preparing to reprise his role in the upcoming Broadway production of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

While attending the awards show, Tom Felton was asked whether the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s views on gender identity affected his relationship with the franchise.

Felton didn’t hesitate to share his stance and made it clear he wouldn’t criticize the woman who launched his career.

“No, I can't say it does. I'm not really that attuned,” he told Variety. “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 quickly ignited a wave of responses online, with some praising his loyalty and level-headedness.

One fan wrote, “Thank goodness someone in that franchise learned not to bite the hand that feeds him.” Others echoed the sentiment, calling him “a good man. Sensible, grounded, grateful,” and even joked, “Turns out the villain was the good guy after all. What a gracious, respectful reply.”

However, not everyone was impressed.

Critics called his response dismissive and out of touch, with one user writing, “What a privileged straight white man take.” Another added, “A coward just like Malfoy,” while someone else commented, “What would a privileged straight white cis-male know about the oppression faced by my trans colleagues?”

The reactions underscored just how divided the "Harry Potter" fanbase remains on the issue, and how polarizing Rowling’s legacy has become.

J.K. Rowling has continued to speak out forcefully on the issue of gender identity and transitioning in minors, this time making it clear she holds no forgiveness for "Harry Potter" stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, among others, who have supported the trans community.

Following the release of the long-anticipated Cass Review in the UK, a report that recommended a more cautious approach to youth gender treatments, including halting the routine prescription of puberty blockers, Rowling declared the findings a "watershed" moment.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the author said the review “lays bare the tragedy” of allowing children to transition and pointed fingers at public figures who, in her view, contributed to the harm.

Rowling further expressed heartbreak over what she described as irreversible harm to children, stating, “Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media, and cynical corporations.”

She added, “The consequences of this scandal will play out for decades. You cheered it on. You did all you could to impede and misrepresent research. You tried to bully people out of their jobs for opposing you.”

In an emotional final post, Rowling said she “burst into tears” after reading letters from detransitioners.

Daniel Radcliffe, who has publicly voiced support for trans rights since 2020, addressed the growing divide between himself and Rowling last year.

In a May 2024 interview, he remarked, “Just because she made me a star doesn’t mean I have to agree with her.” His remarks, and continued advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, have only deepened the rift between the author and the film’s core cast.

Tensions between Rowling and the original cast have been strained for years, as Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have each publicly expressed support for the transgender community, often implicitly or directly opposing Rowling’s statements.

Felton’s decision to remain neutral, or at least grateful, has drawn both applause and criticism, with fans and critics now questioning how his stance will shape the reception of "Cursed Child" as it heads to Broadway.

It's fair to say that the debate over J.K. Rowling’s legacy, and those who align with her, is far from over.