Fans Blast “Jobless, Unemployed, and Desperate” ‘Harry Potter’ Actor for Returning To Franchise

In the years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II closed the curtain on the original film saga, the wizarding world hasn’t been quiet. Spin-offs, stage plays, and fan theories have kept the conversation alive, but the original trio of stars—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—have remained at a distance.

Publicly critical of JK Rowling’s controversial remarks on the transgender community, all three have indicated that returning to the franchise under current conditions seems unlikely. The divide has made a reunion increasingly improbable, especially with HBO’s upcoming reboot promising a fresh cast to tell the story all over again.

Yet this week, in a move no one quite predicted, one core cast member announced he’s coming back.

Tom Felton Joins The Cursed Child on Broadway

Tom Felton, known to millions as Draco Malfoy, will reprise his role—not on film, but on the New York stage. The actor is set to join the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre for a 19-week run starting November 11, 2025, through March 22, 2026.

“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,” Felton said in a statement.

This marks a milestone for the franchise: no actor from the original film series has reprised their role in the stage production until now. Felton’s casting bridges the cinematic and theatrical worlds of Harry Potter—and injects new relevance into a show that has already played to huge numbers of fans.

“Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” Felton added. “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. I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community.”

Tom Felton’s Nostalgic ‘Harry Potter’ Homecoming Criticized By Fans

While Cursed Child remains a box office success, Felton’s arrival is a timely boost. The Broadway landscape is competitive, and legacy IPs often benefit from high-profile returns. Felton, who has frequently expressed his affection for the franchise and its fans, arrives with both credibility and personal history.

 

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A post shared by Tom Felton (@t22felton)

The production’s lead producers, Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, echoed the emotional weight of the announcement. “It’s not lost on us that this is a cultural moment charged with nostalgia, evolution, and emotion,” they said. “Tom’s return to Hogwarts bridges generations of fans and breathes new life into a beloved story. We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Tom back ‘home’ but also into a new family: our Broadway company.”

Felton shared a video to Instagram confirming the news, slipping back into character with Draco’s signature look and a knowing grin. “Scared, Potter?” he asked, platinum hair and all—just as fans remember.

However, not everyone is enthusiastic about Felton’s return to the franchise. Some fans have taken to social media to claim that the move is “embarrassing,” accusing Felton of not being able to move on from the franchise.

when I’m in a “can’t move on” competition and my opponent is Tom Felton

when I’m in a “can’t move on” competition and my opponent is Tom Felton https://t.co/PMCsnEnjPe pic.twitter.com/IZYEYdyhsT

— ؘ (@upperupland) June 5, 2025

“If you ever feel bad just remember that you will never be Tom Felton levels of jobless, unemployed and desperate,” said one X, formerly known as Twitter, user.

Others have criticized Felton for not distancing himself from JK Rowling in the wake of her attacks on the transgender community. “Love how every actor distanced themselves from JKR for being a disgusting terf… and then there’s unemployed Tom Felton,” one user wrote.

How do you feel about Tom Felton’s return to the Harry Potter universe?