In a wide-ranging and candid interview, actor Tom Felton has opened up about his iconic role as the Hogwarts bully Draco Malfoy, his surprising passion for fishing, and the physical intensity of working with the late Chadwick Boseman. The star, best known for the Harry Potter franchise, shared insights that blend nostalgia with his current projects.
Compassion for a Wizard Bully
When asked about famous fictional bullies, Felton expressed deep sympathy for his own character, Draco Malfoy. He attributed Draco's behaviour to 'piss-poor parenting' from his father, Lucius. Despite acknowledging comedic bullies like Donovan from The Inbetweeners, Felton, a lifelong fan, named Nelson Muntz from The Simpsons as his favourite.
On the topic of Draco's potential redemption during the Battle of Hogwarts, Felton offered a nuanced view. 'Yes and no,' he said, diving into what he called a 'rabbit hole' of speculation. He praised the original story and adaptations as perfect, admitting he is not a megafan who writes fan fiction, though he is aware of popular pairings like 'Dramione' (Draco and Hermione).
Fishing, Family, and Fluffy Chinchillas
Revealing a lesser-known hobby, Felton recounted catching a 37lb 4oz common carp on New York's St Lawrence river fifteen years ago. His passion was ignited by his older brother Chris, who served as his chaperone on the Harry Potter set. Felton humorously labelled him 'one of the worst chaperones in history' for sleeping all day, a consequence of their all-night fishing trips in Surrey.
He also shared fond memories of his pet chinchilla, Stanley, recalling it as the 'fluffiest thing' he'd ever stroked, despite one memorable bite.
Blonde Ambition and On-Set Battles
Addressing the pros and cons of his signature Malfoy look, Felton noted the disadvantage of dyeing his hair every nine days. For the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, he now wears a wig, which instantly puts him in character. On the advantage, he quipped: 'I do agree with Barbie: blondes have more fun.'
The actor also reflected on his intense scene with Chadwick Boseman in the 2016 film Message from the King. He compared Boseman's professional ferocity to Andy Serkis's transformation on the set of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. 'There was very little acting needed,' Felton recalled, 'because he delightfully beat the shit out of me.'
New Ventures and British Comedy
Felton is currently promoting his new comedy film, Fackham Hall, set for release on 12 December. In it, he stars alongside Damian Lewis, whose late wife, Helen McCrory, played Felton's on-screen mother, Narcissa Malfoy. Felton described one farcical gag involving a poorly aimed hunting rifle as 'wonderfully silly.'
A champion of British humour, Felton expressed a desire to appear in a show like Mr. Bean for its universal, wordless comedy. He's also taken to introducing American colleagues to classics like Only Fools and Horses, watching the famous bar scene on repeat.
