Tom Felton is not concealing his sentiments when reminiscing about his time in the Chamber of Secrets. During a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor, now 38, candidly expressed his continued awe at how his co-star Emma Watson navigated the glare of fame at such a tender age. "I don't think there's anything she couldn't do," he confessed. "In truth, there's no one I admire more, especially considering the pivotal role she's played in history. The added complexity of being a young woman going through it all is another level entirely."
Emma, now 35, was just nine years old when she auditioned for her role as Hermione Granger. Tom, on the other hand, embarked on his journey as Draco Malfoy at the age of 13, while Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) were 11. Although they were all children when the iconic franchise began in 2001, Tom recognized that Emma's rise in the industry was unique due to her being the only girl in the core group.
"I can't relate to that, and I can't even experience it," he explained, before showering love on the entire Harry Potter cast. "But I have immense admiration for all of them." And that love, to this day, runs deep and mutual.
The actor continued, "We're all good friends. Ironically, I like to think that Draco is somewhat the glue that keeps us all together. We're scattered across the world at different times, but we all love each other and have shared this experience." Indeed, Draco has been casting spells to help their friendship withstand the test of time—and it's certainly paid off.
Last December, Tom and Daniel reunited at a screening of Merrily We Roll Along in New York, more than a decade after they both starred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. While Daniel has transformed into other underrated characters since the final film, Tom slipped back into Draco's wizard robe and pale blonde hair to star in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway in November. And as he continues his run in the play, which ends on May 10, he's grateful for the opportunity to reinvent his now-adult character through a new lens.
"It's been a delightful experience so far," Tom told Broadway Collection in December, becoming visibly emotional. "I refuse to be indifferent. Every day, when I watch the show at the beginning or end, I'm in tears. Everyone's in tears. The stories mean so much to me and what they've done for the world."
Though he's in awe of how Harry Potter has impacted "literacy and film," he's proud that the franchise has created a space for fans to explore its lore on stage. "There are lots of people coming to the theatre for the first time ever," he explained. "The theatre has been the foundation of my entire career, so it's moving."
