Interview by METRO – 60 SECONDS with TOM FELTON

Tom Felton was interviewed by Keith Watson for the newspaper METRO.

A transcript of the interview can be read below, along with images of the interview courtesy of Daniella on Twitter!

60 SECONDS with TOM FELTON

The LA-based actor, 27, rose to fame as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter. Now he’s in TV crime series Murder In The First

You spent a decade playing villain Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter. Now you’re playing a seemingly evil type in Murder In The First. What’s the story there?
When you’re a kid, the idea of being the villain is really terrible. I’d auditioned for the part of Harry Potter originally. But now being the villain seems really enticing. Especially one with borderline psychopathic tendencies.

Psychopathic?
Erich (right), the character I play in Murder In The First, is a tech genius but he’s got a distinct lack of social skills. So at the start he seems a really obnoxious guy. I didn‘t know where the character was going when I first read the part but, without putting a spoiler on it, he does have some redemptive qualities.

So while your character’s a tech wizard, are you a geek?

I thought I was a bit of a geek but the stuff Erich gets into is on a whole different level. It was interesting to find out what drives the Silicon Valley people. They are the risk-takers of our generation, the people coming up with the ideas we pin our hopes on. It’s just that Erich’s not aware of his psychopathic tendencies.

Erich starts out as the prime suspect in the show. How does his character develop?
He’s not an out-and-out villain. The roots are in his background and finding out why characters are the way they are. That’s the interesting part for me.

Do you get recognised a lot because of Draco Malfoy?
All the time and it’s growing. I meet more and more excited fans getting increasingly immersed in the movies. It’s made me realise how lucky I was as a 12-year-old to be thrown into that world – nothing will ever be that big again. It’s great, you can go almost anywhere around the world and blag your way through a lot of countries!

Any favourites?
Japan was crazy. I opened a Harry Potter theme park where everyone was dressed in character. I’m always thankful because if it wasn’t for Harry Potter, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what I’m doing now.

Do fans ever have a go because of your evil ways as Malfoy?
It has its moments. At the premiere of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, a movie I did, a six-year-old called me a dick, In a way, that’s a badge of honour.

Does that kind of attention bother you?
No, it goes with the territory. Some young fans really think I am Draco. Shattering the illusion would be like telling them there’s no Father Christmas. If I’m in a cheeky mood, I’m thinking: ‚Shall I tell them…‘

Were there any downsides to spending your growing years in Harry Potter world?
I managed to keep a normal life at school with my mates while at the same time working with movie legends. The only downside was that I’m an adrenaline junkie, I love bungee jumping and all that. But while we were filming, we were supposed to avoid anything remotely dangerous because there was this great fear you might hurt yourself. I wasn’t even supposed to drive a remote controlled car in case I drove it into my ankle. So I don’t miss that.

You’ve moved to LA. Have you embraced the lifestyle?
I really enjoy the way of life. Having a stroll on the beach with my dog and girlfriend. It makes filming feel more like a day job because it’s pretty much what everyone seems to do here.

What’s the most LA thing that you do?
Well I play golf, is that an LA thing? I love riding around on the buggy because absolutely no one would dream of carrying a golf bag in LA. But my eyesight is so bad I’m absolutely rubbish a putting.

Do you still see your old mates from Harry Potter days?
Yes, I still get together with Rupert, Daniel and Emma when we can. We grew up together, so we’ll always have that bond.

Has it been hard to move on?
No. Now when I look back it just seems like a really crazy, great experience. The other day someone said to me: ‚Wow, you look really old.‘ It’s like they’re horrified I’ve grown up. But I can handle that.

Murder In The First starts on Fox on Friday, 10pm

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Many thanks again to Daniella for the photo of the interview!

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