The actor behind the new Lucius Malfoy is bringing up the trickiest topic when it comes to the new Harry Potter series!
Johnny Flynn has swiftly become a much in-demand actor, with roles in the series MobLand and the Western As I Lay Dying. His biggest role is coming as he’ll be appearing as Lucius Malfoy in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. The role was made famous in the film by Jason Isaacs, who portrayed the cold, evil power player in the film series.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Flynn shared some thoughts on the show — and of course, the controversy around creator J.K. Rowling.
“Obviously, there’s quite a lot of stuff around Jo [J.K.] Rowling. I suppose that’s been quite interesting to navigate, the conversations there — but all important conversations to have. The people working on this are really, really great and create a really special atmosphere, [like] Francesca [Gardiner] the showrunner, and Mark Mylod and various directors. There’s such care. I’m basically not in the first book. Lucius is hardly in book one at all, but I’m in the first series. So it’s quite a thing to go do a day and then have a month or so [off] and come back and everybody’s got these really tight relationships. But it’s such a welcoming environment.”
Rowling’s name is a divisive one in the Potter fandom. She is the author who brought the saga to life and her name carries a major weight with the showrunners. At the same time, Rowling has been the source of controversy for her various public statements, including numerous transphobic remarks.
Rowling is a very delicate subject for the showrunners, as her input is needed for the series. At the same time, Potter actors, both past and present, have made it clear they’re not in agreement with Rowling’s views, which has sparked a mini-feud between the author and original Harry Potter actors like Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe.
Lox Pratt talks about Johnny Flynn who’s portraying Lucius Malfoy in the HARRY POTTER TV series:
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) February 4, 2026
“Johnny Flynn’s wonderful. He’s a really wonderful man. I think we work pretty well as a duo onscreen, or I like to think we do. But he’s a lovely guy and he’s got a lot of aura.” pic.twitter.com/rJ71gMriVv
Right now, Flynn is being careful with what he says since, as he points out, he wouldn’t be a major presence in the show until season 2 anyway. Reportedly, the first season will expand on the novels by showing Draco (Lox Pratt) at home with his father, fleshing out their complex relationship.
Flynn praised his young co-star’s professionalism, saying, "it's great to see that kids aren’t having to deal with stuff that they probably would have had to deal with years ago. I think, hopefully, these guys will have better treatment than previous generations.”
It's inevitable that the Harry Potter actors are asked about Rowling, but it seems Flynn clearly wants to focus on the role itself, not the debate about its creator. He is a quite talented actor who can bring a different aura to Lucius and make the role more compelling for a TV series.
The Rowling issue does cast a shadow on the Potter series, as there are still large segments of the fandom who feel Rowling's controversies create a backlash on anything Potter-related. Discussing it is quite tricky for the cast involved. Hopefully Flynn works it out as Lucius, even as the Rowling debate refuses to die down.
The new Harry Potter TV series coming to HBO Max sometime in 2027.