Lox Pratt discussed how he will approach the role of Draco Malfoy in the new HBO series "Harry Potter." In an interview with Variety, the actor noted that he does not intend to copy Tom Felton, who played the character in the Warner Bros. films. However, he will retain some recognizable traits of Draco, adding more "layers" and his own unique touch.
The actor also compared Draco to his character from the new adaptation of "Lord of the Flies." In it, Pratt plays Jack, a teenager who becomes one of the main sources of violence on the island.
"I think these are two completely different kinds of sadness and malice. Draco is loved, but he is under paralyzing family pressure. He cannot be who he wants to be, and at the same time, he cannot meet his father's expectations. And Jack is simply unloved by anyone, but he never needed it anyway."
Pratt admitted that he enjoys playing negative characters: such roles are more interesting and offer more opportunities.
Pratt will indeed have plenty of opportunities. It was previously announced that the upcoming series will go beyond J.K. Rowling's books and show the Malfoys' lives outside Hogwarts, revealing the characters through their personal lives and environment. Pratt himself said then that viewers would see "who Draco really is."
The first season of the "Harry Potter" series will premiere on HBO on December 25, 2026. The main roles are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout. The cast also includes John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Johnny Flynn, and Lox Pratt.