Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton put their differences aside to attend a screening of the latter’s new movie in New York on Monday night.
The duo, who appeared in all eight movies in the magical franchise, looked overjoyed to see one another, despite their publically contrasting views on Harry Potter creator JK Rowling‘s controversial anti-trans crusade.
Daniel, 36, who played the titular character from 2001 to 2011, beamed as he chatted fondly to Tom, 38, who starred as Harry’s nemesis Draco Malfoy in the movies, ahead of The Cinema Society Special Screening of Daniel’s new film Merrily We Go Along.
Despite their fond reunion, the duo’s views have very publicly contrasted ever since Daniel opposed and Tom supported JK Rowling, 60, in her vocal opposition to the view that gender identity is different from birth sex.
In 2020 Daniel joined a host of other Harry Potter stars in publically hitting out at the author’s trans exclusionary views, while Tom has remained loyal to JK – insisting he is ‘not affected or attuned’ to the views of the creator.
Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton put their differences aside to attend a screening of the latter’s new movie in New York on Monday night
Daniel and Tom played mortal enemies Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in all eight films in the franchise (pictured in 2001’s Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone)
Despite their fond reunion, the duo’s views have very publicly contrasted ever since Daniel opposed and Tom supported JK Rowling, 60, in her vocal opposition to the view that gender identity is different from birth sex
Looking worlds away from his Potter days, Daniel was sporting a rugged beard and showed off his indie style in a denim shirt and tee for the event.
Tom meanwhile, who has just reprised his role as Draco in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on Broadway, was without his character’s ice blond hair and instead had mussed mousy locks and rocked a stylish camel coat and twill trousers.
They were joined at the event by another Potter affiliate in the form of esteemed actress Noma Dumezweni, who played Hermione Granger in the original West End run of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
For her role as Harry’s brainbox best friend, Noma won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2017.
Merrily We Roll Along stars Daniel alongside Lindsay Mendez and Jonathan Groff, with the story spanning three decades and following the turbulent relationship between a composer and his two lifelong friends.
The duo appeared to be getting on as famously as ever despite their views.
JK has caused ructions around the world with her stance on Trans rights – which have led to her being branded a trans-exclusionary radical feminism (TERF).
In 2020, Radcliffe released a statement through The Trevor Project, stating that transgender women are women and that any statement to the contrary ‘erases the identity and dignity of transgender people’.
JK Rowling (second left) is pictured with Rupert Grint, Daniel and Emma Watson (L-R) in 2001. All of the lead stars of the movies have resoundingly slammed the author’s views
They were joined at the event by another Potter affiliate in the form of esteemed actress Noma Dumezweni, who played Hermione Granger in the original West End run of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
The duo looked a long way from their Hogwarts robes in their trendy ensembles
Rowling, 59, has faced intense criticism in recent years for her gender critical views, including from several stars of the Harry Potter films
The star issued an apology to the fans whose experience of the books was negatively impacted by JK’s comments and insisted he wanted to help.
The author went on to suggest on social media that Daniel and co-star Emma Watson were ‘celebrities who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors’.
Daniel also revealed he has had no direct contact with JK since the controversy.
He said: ‘It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.’
Tom meanwhile has remained on JK’s side and kept his stance on her views guarded – something which has led to his remaining in the franchise.
Tom meanwhile was without his character’s ice blond hair and instead had mussed mousy locks and rocked a stylish camel coat and twill trousers
Merrily We Roll Along stars Daniel alongside Lindsay Mendez (pictured) and Jonathan Groff, with the story spanning three decades and following the turbulent relationship between a composer and his two lifelong friends
When asked directly if the controversy around JK’s views on trans rights affected his decision to star in The Cursed Child as his original character, Tom said earlier this year: ‘No, I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned…
‘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.’
He maintained his support and has continued to promote Potter by attending fan conventions and events and previously explained why in an interview with The Times.
Tom has just reprised his role as Draco in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on Broadway (pictured on-stage last month)
The duo caught up ahead of the release of Daniel’s nbew film
He said: ‘I couldn’t speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest, but I’m often reminded, attending Comic Cons in particular, that no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life…
‘I’m constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I’ve only had a handful of meetings with her but she has always been lovely. So I’m very grateful for that.’
He went on: ‘I don’t tend to pick sides. I won’t talk specifics but I enjoy reminding myself and others that a lot of my good friends have ways of life or personal decisions that I don’t necessarily agree with…
‘We should enjoy celebrating each other’s differences.’
