Tom Felton Supports JK Rowling at Cursed Child 10th Anniversary Amid Controversy

Tom Felton continued to show his support for JK Rowling as he attended the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 10 year theatre celebration in Hamburg on Thursday evening. 

The actor, 37, who played Draco Malfoy in the original films from 2001 until 2011, recently revealed he will be reprising his role for the Broadway show. 

In stark contrast to his co-stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint who have turned their back on Rowling due to her controversial views on trans rights, Tom has been vocal in his support for the author. 

And on Thursday he appeared in great spirits as he was seen posing for selfies with fans at the Theater am Großmarkt in the German city. 

Looking stylish for the evening Tom opted for a cream summer blazer jacket and matching trousers. 

He completed the look with a blue T-shirt and round shades as he smiled for snaps. 

Tom Felton continued to show his support for JK Rowling amid controversies as he attended the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 10 year theatre celebration in Hamburg on Thursday

The actor, 37, he appeared in great spirits as he was seen posing for selfies with fans at the Theater am Großmarkt in the German city

Rowling has been very vocal on the subject of trans people for several years and following the Supreme Court’s judgment on April 17, the author has consistently referred to transgender women as being ‘men’.

However while his co-stars have turned frosty against her, more than two decades after Rowling helped give him his big break, Tom doubled down on his support for the franchise’s author, insisting he is ‘grateful’ for what she has done for him.

During his appearance at the Tony Awards last month, Tom was asked if the controversy around the writer’s views on trans rights affected his work. 

He replied: ‘No, I can’t say it does. 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.’ 

In April, Rowling insisted she would never forgive the younger stars of the film franchise for speaking out against her views on trans rights.

Responding to a tweet that asked whether the likes of Daniel and Emma would apologise to the author, ‘safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them’, she said: ‘Not safe, I’m afraid.’

‘Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,’ the writer added.

Rowling has been very vocal on the subject of trans people for several years and following the Supreme Court ‘s judgment on April 17, the author has consistently referred to transgender women as being ‘men’

Looking stylish for the evening Tom opted for a cream summer blazer jacket and matching trousers

He completed the look with a blue T-shirt and round shades as he posed for snaps

The star, who played Draco Malfoy in the original films from 2001 until 2011, recently revealed he will be reprising his role for the Broadway show

While his co-stars have turned frosty against her, Tom has doubled down on his support for the franchise’s author, insisting he is ‘grateful’ for what she has done for him (Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint pictured in Harry Potter)

Tom also previously expressed his excitement about joining the upcoming Broadway production.

He told Variety: ‘I think we all thought the wizarding world would slowly… that the fandom flame might douse over the years, but clearly it’s not.’

‘I think the most exciting part is to do it live. It took nine months, more or less, to shoot a film. And this is all compact. This is all reimagined into a very lovely new, tight story. And I get to be a dad, which has been fun.’

Tom will join the cast in November and star in the show for 19 weeks, concluding his run in March 2026.

He shared the exciting news on the Today show last month stating, ‘Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

‘Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me, because when I begin performances in Cursed Child this fall, I’ll also be the exact age Draco is in the play.’

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, based off a screenplay written by JK Rowling, takes place 19 years after the original series ended.

It follows Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco’s kids as they head off to Hogwarts.

Harry’s son Albus and Draco’s son Scorpius become best friends and get up to their own adventure – and almost destroy the entire wizarding world along the way.

The likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, pictured L-R with Rowling in 2011, have distance themselves from the woman who made their careers

Emma Watson in a trans rights T-shirt

Many of Rowling’s followers widely interpreted her riposte as a nod to the three child stars who played the lead roles in the successful franchise

‘It’s surreal to be stepping back into his shoes – and of course his iconic platinum blond hair – and I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world,’ Tom added.

‘I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community.’

After news of Tom’s casting went viral, Rowling appeared thrilled, reposting the announcement on X with a flurry of snake and green heart emojis.

Tom’s interview comes just months after Rowling appeared to take a swipe at Harry Potter stars Daniel, Emma and Rupert in a March social media post shared with her 14.3million followers.

She penned a biting response apparently hinting to the trio in response to the question: ‘What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?’

Without missing a beat, Rowling cryptically wrote: ‘Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.’ She ended her post with three laughing emojis.