Tom Felton sparks backlash after expressing gratitude to J.K. Rowling amid anti-trans controversy

Tom Felton has ignited fierce debate online after voicing support for Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling during an interview with Variety at the 2025 Tony Awards.

The 37-year-old actor, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the film franchise and set to reprise the role on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was asked about his stance on the controversy surrounding Rowling’s views on transgender rights.

“I’m not really that attuned. 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.”

His comments have sparked a wave of differing reactions – while some applauded him for what they called a “classy response,” others condemned it as “atrocious,” “spineless,” and “disappointing.”

“Thank goodness someone in that franchise learned not to bite the hand that feeds him,” one user wrote on X. Another added, “Who would have thought Draco would be the most level-headed.”

However, many feel let down by his comments.

“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,” one declared.

Another said: “That’s the problem ain’t it, people not caring about issues that don’t ‘impact them’.”

Rowling’s controversial views on trans rights

Since 2020, the once-widely celebrated J.K. Rowling has alienated and angered many fans through her contentious online comments regarding gender identity and trans rights – including her claim that trans women “are not women” and her refusal to use people’s preferred pronouns – writing that she would “rather go to jail” than do so. Critics have labelled her a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a term Rowling has since embraced publicly.

Her remarks prompted the three lead actors of the original film franchise – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint – to publicly distance themselves from her.

Radcliffe told The Atlantic last year that her views “make me really sad,” adding: “Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”

Watson has expressed her support for the trans community, saying: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.”

Grint echoed this 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 judgement.”

Rowling has made it clear she won’t forgive the actors who publicly disagreed with her. “Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights… can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,” she wrote on X.

HBO reboot moves forward with new castings

Meanwhile, the wizarding world of Harry Potter continues to expand.

A new HBO reboot series is in the works, with Rowling on board as an executive producer. The casting for the central trio was announced last month, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout set to play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively.

Over 30,000 children auditioned for the roles in an open casting call last year.

They will join a stacked supporting cast including six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch.

New additions were also revealed early this week: Johnny Flynn will portray Lucius Malfoy, with rising star Lox Pratt as Draco. The Morning Show’s Bel Powley and BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby will play Petunia and Vernon Dursley, while Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) will take on the role of Molly Weasley.

Despite continued controversy around Rowling’s public statements, HBO has stood by her involvement in the project: “J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”