Tom Felton, the actor forever immortalised as Harry Potter's school rival Draco Malfoy, is embracing a remarkably busy period in his career, juggling a high-profile stage return and a new comedic film project.
From Screen Slytherin to Broadway Stage
Felton is currently commanding the stage, reprising his most famous role in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This return to the wizarding world sees him back in the signature blonde locks of the complex antagonist, a character he first portrayed at the age of twelve. Interestingly, Felton has largely remained on the sidelines of the public discourse surrounding author JK Rowling and the franchise's lead stars.
His journey to global fame wasn't always smooth. The actor has previously opened up about the challenges he faced in his muggle school days, noting, "I was walking around with dyed hair and played an evil wizard. It wasn't cool."
A Career of Memorable Antagonists
While his breakout role was as Malfoy, Felton's career began with gentler parts, including playing the son of Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie in The Borrowers and appearing alongside Jodie Foster in Anna and the King.
Post-Potter, he has predominantly continued down the path of the villain. His filmography is a rogues' gallery of memorable characters:
- Tormenting apes with Brian Cox in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Cheating at golf in the sports drama From the Rough (2011)
- Acting inappropriately towards Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Belle (2013)
- Stabbing Hamlet in Ophelia (2018)
- Playing the bogeyman in A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020)
Some might argue he met a fitting end when his character was consumed by nothingness in the 2012 supernatural thriller The Apparition.
New Comedic Venture with Damian Lewis
Beyond the walls of Hogwarts, Felton is branching into comedy. He is set to star in the upcoming spoof period drama Fackham Hall, penned by comedian Jimmy Carr, marking Carr's screenwriting debut.
In the film, Felton plays the future son-in-law to Damian Lewis's character, who is reported to sport "possibly the best ginger moustache and side-part haircut combo ever committed to film."
With these major projects underway, fans have a unique opportunity to ask Felton their own questions. The call is out to move beyond queries about Slytherin and Quidditch and delve into his personal passions, such as his love of carp fishing, his daring 200ft bungee jump on Jack Osbourne: Celebrity Adrenaline Junkie, his rockstar ambitions, and his childhood pet chinchilla, Stanley.
Questions must be submitted by 6pm on Thursday 27 November. The actor's answers will be published in Film&Music and online on 5 December, the same day Fackham Hall arrives in cinemas.
