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Tom Felton, known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the beloved Harry Potter series, publicly defended author JK Rowling during the Tony Awards held on Sunday night. The actor faced questions regarding the backlash Rowling has received for her views on gender and biology, a topic that has ignited considerable debate in recent years.
On the red carpet of the prestigious awards show, Felton took a moment to discuss his experience reprising his iconic role in the Broadway production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This play is a sequel, taking place 19 years after the events of the final Harry Potter book, and was co-authored by Rowling herself.
Defending a Literary Icon
When asked whether the ongoing controversy surrounding Rowling’s comments about transgender issues had impacted his work, Felton made it clear that it had not. Rowling has consistently advocated for the protection of single-sex spaces for women, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from various activist groups.
“No, I can’t say that it does. I’m not really that attuned to it,” Felton stated. His remarks came as he commended the author for her substantial contributions to literature and community.
Impact of Harry Potter
Felton shared his feelings about the global influence of the Harry Potter series. He expressed gratitude for the way the franchise fosters unity among diverse audiences worldwide. “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 Harry Potter,” he elaborated to Variety. “And she’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
This isn’t the first time Felton has praised Rowling. In a previous interview in 2022, he reflected on the series’ ability to connect people of all ages and backgrounds. “I remind myself and others that Potter has brought more people together across the world and more generations than probably anything else has in the past 20 years,
