One ofTom Felton's most iconic lines as the malicious Draco Malfoy in theHarry Potterfranchiseis actually a single word — the spiteful spewing of his nemesis' last name: "Potter."
As Felton admitted on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, he was completely unaware his pronunciation had become a beloved meme within the Harry Potter fandom
"I don't know how that's become an iconic thing," the 38-year-old actor said. "I certainly had no idea."
Felton revealed that his snide way of saying the character's name came from his three older brothers. "They all would always call me something like 'maggot' or, what was I also called? 'Runt.' Runt of the pack."
"I don't remember ever thinking about it for a second," Felton added. "It just got more and more venomous."
With theHarry Potterfranchise now spanning books, films, theme parks, and evenan upcoming television series on HBO, Felton shared amazement at how so many elements from the Wizarding World have become pop culture mainstays. "I never knew any of these things were gonna be iconic lines," Felton said.
TheFackham Hallactor iscurrently reprising his role as Draco Malfoyin the Broadway production ofHarry Potter and the Cursed Childat New York City's Lyric Theatre. While not originally written into the play, Felton says his infamous "Potter" line ended up in the production after he "spontaneously" said it during rehearsals and it caught the ear of director John Tiffany.
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"I could see his eyes twinkle and go, 'Yes. Put that back in,'" Felton said.
Felton also shared how impressed he is that Aiden Close, who plays his character's son Scorpius Malfoy in the play, can say the line better than he can.
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Felton added how "amazing" it is that theHarry Potterfranchise continues to grow — like with HBO's upcoming television series based onJ.K. Rowling's fantasy saga. The first season, titledHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, premieres on December 25, 2026.
"I'm thrilled that the Wizarding World is thriving. I mean, it's amazing," Felton said. "None of us would have ever expected people to still be as interested as they were when we finished the films."
Watch the full podcast interview below.
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly