Lovesick and One Life star Johnny Flynn takes on the role of Lucius Malfoy in HBO's Harry Potter TV series, following in the footsteps of Jason Isaacs, who portrayed the villain in Warner Bros.' Wizarding World movies.
One noticeable difference between the two adaptations is that we'll meet Lucius for the first time in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. We expect him to appear when Draco receives his letter from Hogwarts, providing important context for their relationship and better setting the stage for Lucius' much bigger role in The Chamber of Secrets.
In an interview with Radio Times (via SFFGazette.com), Flynn detailed his approach to the character and revealed one key change that's altered his take on this version of Lucius.
"He was one of those kids bullied in his school, and he’s now turned into the bully, so he doesn’t know another way," the actor explained. "That’s how I want to play him, because I know those people quite well. On the one hand, they were the people that bullied me; they were the abusers, but at some point, they were the abused. So, nobody’s outright good or bad in the world."
Many Harry Potter stars have been criticised for joining the HBO series given author J.K. Rowling's often controversial views on the transgender community. Flynn is aware of the backlash, but explained that he wanted to star in the show for his children before expressing his excitement to explore a world that means so much to so many.
"Of course I have feelings about that, but I want to talk about the gratitude I feel at being able to do what I do," he said. "I came into it from the perspective of being a fan. I was around 10 or 11 when the first book came out. By the time the last was published, I was graduating from drama school and hiding it behind a book of poetry to look cool."
It sounds like Flynn has an interesting take on Lucius, a character who, on the page and on screen, has so far had no redeeming qualities beyond loving his son.
Lucius Malfoy is cold, arrogant, and fiercely status-conscious; he looks down on Muggles and wizards from non-magical families. A devoted follower of Lord Voldemort, Lucius serves as one of the Dark Lord’s most influential supporters, though his loyalty becomes increasingly self-serving when his family’s safety is threatened.
There is nothing special about Harry Potter - at least that's what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk, as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.