Harry Potter star Tom Felton reveals why he lied to a young fan about what it’s like to fly a broomstick. The English actor has become synonymous with the name Draco Malfoy after playing the Slytherin wizard in all eight film adaptions of J.K. Rowling’s books. Alongside then unknowns Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, Felton earned a worldwide fanbase after Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released in 2001. He’s continued acting post-Potter, racking up credits in films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and A United Kingdom, and TV shows like the miniseries Labyrinth and The CW’s The Flash.
Felton most recently returned to his old stomping grounds alongside a selection of cast and crew members for HBO Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. The performer took a magical trip down memory lane with his old pals, reminiscing about their time making the beloved franchise. Even still, as Felton promotes his current projects, he continues to field questions about all things Harry Potter. During a new interview, the onscreen baddie shared a sweet offscreen memory.
When Square Mile touched on Felton’s most buzzed-about credit, the actor didn’t shy away. Felton told a story about learning to cope with his newfound fame while at Comic-Con in San Diego. He revealed a turning point in his interactions with fans, detailing why he had to lie when a young fan asked him about flying on a broom. Check out his full story below:
“We were doing a Q & A with thousands of Potter fans. This little seven year old walks up. We lower the mic. She’s like, [he adopts a childish falsetto]: ‘What is it like to fly a broom?’ ‘Sorry, love? What’s it like to fly a broom? Painful! Horrible! You sit on this metal pole and they blow wind in your hair!’ And her face is just going – [the adult Felton widens his eyes in alarm]. So I quickly realized: ‘It’s one of the greatest experiences in your life! How old are you? You’re nine. You’ve got two more years and you’ll find out for yourself.'”
Felton seemed to realize then just how real the Harry Potter universe was for young fans. In their minds, the characters onscreen truly were flying around on broomsticks. It’s clear he couldn’t break the seven-year-old’s heart with behind-the-scenes facts. Felton certainly isn’t the only Harry Potter star to keep the magic alive for youngsters. His co-star Emma Watson went viral in 2015 for her street encounter with a little boy dressed up as Harry for Halloween. She played into things and acted like he actually was Harry, telling the boy that she was Hermione Granger and that, therefore, they’re best friends.
The Harry Potter film franchise is in large part successful due to its sublime casting. Taking things a step further, the fact that the cast takes on an ambassador role outside of filming no doubt aids in multiplying the overall love of the story. With the wizarding world’s fanbase growing each and every day, it’s lovely to know that the film’s ensemble is set on keeping the magic alive decades later.
