telling The New York Times:
“The verbal abuse is disgusting. She’s not an extremist — she’s expressing her perspective as a woman.”
Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid)
Tom Felton continued to show his support for controversial Harry Potter author JK Rowling as he reprised his role of Draco Malfoy in a Broadway show on Tuesday night
Before his death in 2022, Robbie criticised what he called the “Twitter generation waiting to be offended,” saying Rowling’s remarks did not justify the outrage.
⭐ Who Has Distanced Themselves?
Tom has remained a constant pillar of support for JK Rowling amid her row with the Harry Potter cast (JK pictured at the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore premiere in 2022)
In contrast, the franchise’s leading stars — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint — have taken public stances against Rowling’s comments on trans issues, a rift that dates back to 2020.
Rowling went viral after criticising an article that used the phrase “people who menstruate.” She was accused of transphobia for not acknowledging that trans men can also menstruate. Rowling rejected the label but doubled down with further gender-critical posts.
Tom, 38, made his Broadway debut in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre, with Tom overcome with emotion during the curtain call
Daniel Radcliffe responded via The Trevor Project, stating:
“Transgender women are women. I’m deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused.”
Rupert Grint echoed Daniel, saying he “firmly stands with the trans community,” while Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) wrote:
“Trans women are women. I see and love you.”
Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley) also aligned himself with the cast’s pro-trans stance.
Despite his decision to reprise the role being criticised by some, when he took to the stage the audience’s cheers were so loud that Tom’s dialogue could barely be heard (L-R) Tom, Aidan Close, Trish Lindstrom, John Skelley, Emmet Smith, Rachel Christopher, and Daniel Fredrick
Meanwhile, Ralph who played Lord Voldemort in the film adaptations, said he understands where JK ‘is coming from’, when questioned on her views
Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley, and Harry Melling, who plays Dudley Dursley, have also spoken out against the Scottish author
Emma Watson became one of Rowling’s strongest critics. Rowling recently reignited tensions by dismissing Emma’s claim that she “still treasures” her, suggesting the actress was “cosying up to a movement that regularly calls for a friend’s assassination.”
Rowling accused Emma of lacking “real-life experience,” saying she herself knew poverty during the early Harry Potter writing years — unlike Watson, who became a millionaire at 14.
⭐ A Deepening Divide
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy has admitted he has different views to JK but has vowed to not ‘jump to stab her in the back’ and praised her charity work
Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lestrange, spoke out on her hatred of cancel culture as she discussed the ‘witch hunt’ against JK
The late Robbie Coltrane – who played the beloved Hagrid in the movie franchise- bucked the trend and spoke out in support of JK before his death in 2022.
In contrast, relations between JK and the three lead stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have been frosty for years (pictured in 2004)
Rowling criticised the trio for using their Harry Potter fame to act as “de facto spokespeople” for a worldview she does not support. She also suggested Emma’s latest comments represented a strategic shift after realising that full condemnation of her was “no longer fashionable.”
As tensions continue between the author and the franchise’s younger stars, Tom Felton remains a rare bridge — still loyal to Rowling, still cherished by fans, and now celebrated anew on the Broadway stage.
