You’ve probably seen your fair share of “Harry Potter is back” headlines. And like many people, you may have stopped paying attention. But what Tom Felton is doing this fall is a little different — and surprisingly relatable.
Felton, who played the infamous Draco Malfoy in the original Harry Potter films, is stepping back into the role — this time, as an adult, on Broadway. The play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, picks up 19 years after the movies ended.
Why does this matter? Because for Felton — and for many longtime fans — this isn’t about cashing in on nostalgia. It’s about exploring what happens when a person returns to a version of their younger self, with all the life experience they’ve gained since.
“The blonde hair came back on and I immediately started crying,” Felton admitted on the Today show. “It’s such a huge part of my childhood. It’s like me going back to high school.”
But this time, Draco isn’t a sneering teenager. He’s a father, trying to help his own son navigate a complicated world — a storyline many adults can relate to in 2025. The play centers on the next generation, and on how former rivals like Harry and Draco are learning to let go of the past.
Felton, now 37, says revisiting Draco as an adult felt like a “pinch me” moment — but also a personal challenge. “I get to meet Draco as an adult, which is very exciting,” he said.
For anyone wondering whether the show is just another cash grab: The Cursed Child has already earned multiple awards for its emotional storytelling and stage magic. The upcoming Broadway run (Nov. 11–March 22) could offer something we don’t often see in franchise entertainment: space for characters — and audiences — to grow up.
If you’ve ever looked back at your younger self and wondered what you’d say or do differently now, this story might just strike a chord.