Famous Tom Felton can’t even go on a Broadway stage without audiences erupting in applause.
The moment theatergoers caught sight of him on the stage — complete with his bleach-blonde wig glowing under the lights — New York’s Lyric Theatre burst into cheers. Felton, in character as Draco Malfoy, had to pause and wait out the ovation before he could deliver his first line.
Felton made his highly-anticipated Broadway debut Wednesday night in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” becoming the first actor from the “Harry Potter” film series (in which he also played Draco Malfoy) to join the show’s Broadway cast. The production’s Instagram account shared video of his entrance, capturing the booming applause and Felton’s attempt to stay in character while fighting a grin.
Before his first performance, Felton posted a simple message to Instagram — “Shall we..” — and fans flooded the comments. Their reactions after his debut were no different with comments such as, “OKAY ICONNN,” and “he’s still got it.”
The enthusiasm comes as no surprise. Felton has stayed connected to the “Harry Potter” fandom. His 2022 memoir, “Behind the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing up a Wizard,” shared a look at life growing up on the set of the “Harry Potter” films. His interviews also highlight how grateful he is for the franchise’s global community and impact on his life.
In a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Felton recalled auditioning for the movies nearly 30 years ago, first aiming to play Harry, then Ron Weasley, before ultimately being cast in his role as Draco Malfoy.
He has also been candid about the franchise’s ongoing complexities, including the controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling’s comments on transgender issues. Asked by Variety whether the debates affect his work, Felton said, “No, I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned.”
He added, “The only thing I always remind myself is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world. Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she’s responsible for that. So I’m incredibly grateful.”
Felton will be on stage as Malfoy until May 10, 2026, a 19-week Broadway run, according to Harrypotter.com.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” first premiered in London in 2016 and has become the third-longest-running nonmusical play in Broadway history since its 2018 debut, according to Playbill. The story was developed by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, with Thorne writing the script and Tiffany directing.
Since his time on the Potter films, Felton has stayed busy playing roles in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), “From the Rough” (2011) and “The Flash” (2014-2023), according to IMDb.
Felton’s move to Broadway reverses the traditional path actors take — typically, actors build their careers onstage before transitioning to the big screen.
Notable star examples include Barbara Streisand, who brought Fanny Brice to life in Broadway’s “Funny Girl” in 1964 and reprised the role in the 1968 film, as well as Rex Harrison in “My Fair Lady,” and Dick Van Dyke in “Bye Bye Birdie,” who also moved their characters from stage to screen.