It has been about 24 years to first Harry Potter film, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, which gave, and continues to give its audiences memories, portray magical moments, and introduce them to some unforgettable characters. Among them was Draco Malfoy, the fiery and sharp-tongued platinum blonde, Harry Potter’s arch-nemesis, whom fans loved to hate; or if you’re like me, just loved.

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Tom Felton, who played the cunning, but complex Slytherin, is nothing like his on-screen character. In fact, Tom is known for his amiable, warm and witty personality—a totally different person from his Harry Potter role he portrayed so convincingly well.

After the Harry Potter films were finished shooting, many wondered what happened of the young actor who played the Malfoy heir.

But Felton chose a more personal and quiet route—one that deserves to be recognised as well. He proved that he was so much more than his main role; and kept the same cheeky charm that made Draco Malfoy ever-iconic.

His Film and TV Endeavours After Harry Potter

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Post acting in the Harry Potter film franchise, Tom did not hesitate to dive into other television and film projects. He took on other very diverse and unique roles.

His role in the franchise was followed by other supporting roles in films like "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", where he played Dodge Landon, another brooding character, but with a totally different flavour. In 2013 period drama, Belle, he was cast as a prejudiced aristocrat, and played Lucius Tyco Ennius in the 2016 biblical drama film Risen, as well. Moreover, he took on a different kind of role, voice acting - in the animated children's movie Sheep and Wolves, where he voiced out the main character, Grey.

He had complex roles in movies like Ophelia and Feed, with a rather recent one in the psychological thriller, Some Other Woman, where he plays an intriguing and mysterious man named Peter. He also played Brandon Walker, a young man who is forced to reconnect with his estranged sister because of their mother's unusual last wish, in an indie film, Braking For Whales.

Felton also entered television, taking on a number of exciting, and complex roles. He is most well-known for his performance as Julian Albert, a forensic scientist with a complicated past, in the superhero series 'The Flash'.

In addition to this, his commendable versatility as an actor made a strong impression as he played Erich Blunt, a silicon-valley tech mogul, who gets caught up in a series of murders, in the TNT series 'Murder in the First'. Tom also starred in the YouTube Premium sci-fi thriller, Origin, where he played Logan Maine, a passenger on a spaceship travelling to a faraway planet.

He also made his directorial debut with the documentary 'Tom Felton Meets The Superfans', which premiered on Apple TV in 2015.

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Musical Career Throughout

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Beyond acting, Tom Felton has expressed his love and passion for music, and is known to play a range of instruments consisting of guitar and bass guitar, piano, violin, ukulele, harmonica and drums. He has a significant career in music alongside being a professional actor, as a songwriter and singer.

He has released EPs and singles under the names of 'YoOHoO' and 'ReD', 'YelLoW', and 'ORaNgE' and more songs like 'If You Could Be Anywhere' and 'Time Well Spent'. His soft, heart-touching lyrics with a mix of indie rock and folk-like tunes, give fans a deeper, personal peek into his world.

Furthermore, Tom often shares snippets and glimpses of his music on his social media platforms, and live streams.

Return to the Wizarding World

In 2022, two decades since the first Harry Potter movie premiered was celebrated through a magical reunion of many beloved cast mates, and naturally, Tom Felton, who played the unforgettable antagonist, was a big presence in the celebration.

Fans’ hearts were touched by Felton’s sense of affection for his Potter family, sharing precious memories of growing up on set as a child actor, and his close chemistry and friendship with Emma Watson (Hermione Granger).

Tom also reflected on his portrayal of Draco Malfoy and why it felt so real, and how he approached playing a character who was cold and calculated on the outside but vulnerable and conflicted on the inside.

Creative Pursuits

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Later that year, in 2022, Tom published his own memoir, called ‘Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard’, in which he opened up on his family, his early days as a child actor, his relationships and his own personal struggles. He shares exclusive behind-the-scene stories about Harry Potter, and enables us not only to see his experience as a young actor, but also as a boy navigating the world, fame and his own pains.

The book is absolutely beautifully written, and it is so very wholesome, inspiring, and endearing, and is definitely one of my favourites.

Conclusion

Tom Felton is no more the silver-blonde, aristocratic Slytherin we grew up with. Tom has built a vibrant career that goes beyond the Hogwarts Common Rooms’ cold, stone walls. From starring in indie films, releasing new music, and having a colourful social media presence, to releasing his new autobiography, Tom Felton’s story is quite underrated. As he continues to check new roles out, narrate more soulful stories, and share his special, genuine self with his fans, he reminds us that the true magic never faded.