Tom Felton felt it was “really important” to reach out to Lox Pratt, the actor taking on the role of Draco Malfoy in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series. Felton played Draco in the original films from 2001 to 2011 and is now reprising an adult version of the role in Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
In a new interview on Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Felton confirmed that — like his co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint — he sent the next “Harry Potter” generation a note.
“I’ve sent word, yes,” Felton replied when Horowitz asked if he’d made contact with Pratt. “I think it’s really important. It’s very different — we were entering things that don’t exist; there’s quite a lot of weight now. So the last thing I’m gonna do is offer anything other than say, ‘Here’s my phone number. Here’s my address.’ To his parents as well as him, and to anyone else there.”
Felton said he’s trying to steer clear of giving advice to Pratt because “this is your journey,” but said: “Have as much fun as possible, take as many pictures as you can, steal as many props as you can — they’ll be worth a fortune. But also, if you do need a word of encouragement or questions to ask, I’m there.”
The “Harry Potter” series — which will devote a season to each book — released its first trailer earlier this week and is gearing up for a Christmas release. The show is set to last at least a decade. When Horowitz pointed out that the new young actors are also dealing with the toxicity of social media, Felton called the notion “inconceivable.”
“It didn’t exist, did it? There was literally physical film cameras,” he said. “It took me a while the other day, someone said, ‘How were the films shot?’ And I was like, ‘Was it film?’ It’s like, ‘Of course it was film.’ This is in an era where the guy holding the mic boom, Tommy, was about 70, one eye open, rolls a cigarette with one hand, smokes it, while we’re on a broomstick. That’s how Daniel and I grew up learning quidditch. 25 years later, we’re on Broadway together! That’s mental.”
Radcliffe and Felton are currently performing on Broadway next door to each other. While Felton is starring in the popular “Harry Potter” play, Radcliffe is putting on a one-man show titled “Every Brilliant Thing.”
“Of course, Daniel Radcliffe’s play is only 400 meters from mine,” Felton said. “I’m playing Draco, he’s opening what I think is one of the best shows on Broadway other than ours.”
Watch Felton’s full appearance on “Happy Sad Confused” below.
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