Tom Felton is wishing the best for the young actor playing Draco Malfoy in the forthcoming HBO adaptation of Harry Potter.
The 38-year-old actor, known for playing Malfoy in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s iconic books, said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he “sent word” to Lox Pratt, who will be taking on the role in the new series.
Felton said he felt it was “really important” to reach out to Pratt — but that he chose not to give him specific advice on playing Potter’s nemesis.
“The last thing I'm going to do is offer anything other than say, ‘Here's my phone number. Here's my address,’” Felton said during Thursday’s episode. “To his parents, as well as him, and to anyone else there: I can't offer you advice. This is your journey. Have as much fun as possible. Take as many pictures as you can. Steal as many props as you can. They'll be worth a fortune. But also, if you do need a word of encouragement or questions to ask, I'm there.”
Felton, who began filming the Harry Potter movie series aged 13, is currently playing an older version of Malfoy on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The play serves as a sequel to the original series and is set 19 years after the final book.
Harry Potter fans got their first look at Pratt, 14, in his Slytherin robes last week with the release of the show’s first trailer, as it is set for a Christmas premiere. Starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the series will devote a season to each book.
Felton is not the only former Harry Potter star to reach out to his successor in the controversial reboot.
Daniel Radcliffe — who originated the titular role in the beloved movies — revealed in November that he sent a letter to Dominic McLaughlin, who is playing Potter in the show.
“I sent him a letter, and he sent me a very sweet note back," the actor said on Good Morning America at the time. “I do not want to be a specter in the lives of these children at all. I just wanted to write to him and say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did. I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better one.’”
Actor Rupert Grint also said that he reached out to Alastair Stout, who will be taking on the role of Potter’s best friend, Ron Weasley. He told the BBC in November: “[The letter] was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience.”
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