JK Rowling has seemingly thrown her support behind the news that Tom Felton will make his Broadway debut reprising his role as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in New York.
The historic casting news marks the first time any actor from the original Harry Potter films has joined the stage production.
The 37-year-old British actor, who portrayed the platinum-haired Slytherin in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011, will begin performances on November 11 for a limited 19-week engagement through March 22, 2026.
Felton will take over the role from Aaron Bartz in the production, which has been running on Broadway since 2018 following its 2016 West End debut.
Tom Felton (right) alongside former Harry Potter co-stars Rupert Grint (left) and Daniel Radcliffe (middle)
PA
Felton described the opportunity as "very much a pinch-me kind of situation" during his Today show appearance, where he broke the news, adding: "I keep thinking I'm dreaming.
"I let go of that character 16 years ago, and now getting a chance to step back into his shoes — as a father this time, in a new story — I get to meet Draco as an adult, which is very exciting."
The actor revealed he became emotional when donning the character's signature look again, telling hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin: "The blonde hair came back on and I immediately started crying for some reason."
He explained the franchise was "such a huge part of my childhood" and admitted: "I've been very excited to share this news, and I had to keep it under wraps for quite a while."
JK Rowling has endorsed Felton's Broadway role
GETTYThe news sent shockwaves through the Harry Potter fandom, with many expressing excitement at the possibility of seeing Felton back in character as the famous wizarding villain.
And Rowling also appeared ecstatic at the news, sharing the announcement on X alongside a series of snake and green love-heart emojis.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place 19 years after the events of the final book, with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco now adults sending their own children to Hogwarts.
In a statement, Felton noted: "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."
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He added: "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. I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community."
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said in a joint statement: "Tom Felton's performance as a young Draco Malfoy on screen left an indelible impression on Harry Potter fans around the world.
"His role as Draco undeniably shaped one of the canon's most nuanced characters."
They added: "As fans of the wizarding world ourselves, we feel incredibly fortunate to welcome Tom into our Cursed Child family on Broadway and to offer Harry Potter fans around the globe the once-in-a-lifetime excitement of seeing him reprise this iconic role, this time on-stage in New York City."
JK Rowling responded to the casting news on X
X
Tickets go on sale on June 12 at 11am, with a presale beginning on June 10 for fans who sign up for first access.
Rowling, meanwhile, has been keeping busy working on the HBO TV adaptation of the iconic wizarding book series.
The show is set to begin filming this summer with the likes of Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Paapa Essiedu, Paul Whitehouse, and Luke Thallon.
Rowling also threw her support behind the three young actors who've been cast as Harry, Ron and Hermione after their roles were confirmed last month.
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