New York, New York - Harry Potter author JK Rowling's transphobic statements have led many stars of the movie adaptations to distance themselves from her, but actor Tom Felton came to her defense when pressed about her past controversies.

The 37-year-old, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, brushed aside the backlash as he addressed Rowling's legacy in an interview with Variety from Sunday's Tony Awards.

"I'm not really that attuned to it," Felton said. "The only thing I remind myself [of] 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.

"She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful."

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Since 2020, Rowling has used her platform to spread gender-critical views in statements that have been widely condemned as transphobic.

A number of Harry Potter film stars have spoken out against the 59-year-old author as a result, including leading actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

Felton, though, has avoided direct comments on Rowling's controversies, and he is now set to return to the fantasy franchise with a surprise reprisal of his role as Draco – this time on Broadway.

After portraying Harry's Hogwarts rival on screen for ten years, Felton is diving back into his iconic role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which features an older Draco whose son is now attending the magical school.

Felton will begin his performances on November 11, joining the production for a limited 19-week engagement.

His reprisal comes as the franchise gears up to reinvent itself with a new HBO series and a new crop of children now cast as the famous Golden Trio.