Tom Felton Says Daniel Radcliffe Is ‘Holding My Hand’ While Preparing for Cursed Child Broadway Debut (Exclusive)

Daniel Radcliffe is giving his old schoolmate Tom Felton a hand.

Felton, 37, told PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2025 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, that he’s gotten some magical support ahead of his upcoming Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

“My old school chum, Potter, [Daniel] Radcliffe, has done quite a bit of Broadway, so he’s holding my hand and certainly helping me through all the things that are hard to learn,” the actor says. “But from what I gather, it’s an amazing community of people. The fans are really, really gracious and excited. So I’m just thrilled to be part of it.”

Radcliffe, 35, who portrayed the titular character in all eight installments of the original Harry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011, made his Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of Equus. He previously played the role on London’s West End.

The actor went on to star in 2011’s revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 2014’s The Cripple of Inishmaan and 2018’s The Lifespan of a Fact.

Most recently, Radcliffe starred in the 2023 revival of Merrily We Roll Along alongside Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Felton, meanwhile, had his breakthrough role as Draco Malfoy in the original film series. He will reprise his role this fall in the Broadway show that takes place 19 years after the closing of the seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

He will appear as Draco at the Lyric Theatre in New York City starting Nov. 11 for 19 weeks.

Felton also tells PEOPLE on the red carpet that he’s a “huge fan of the show,” noting that he’s seen it “a dozen times, nearly in England and a few times now on Broadway.”

“I just never saw myself having blonde hair again and reprising that role,” he admits. “Now as a dad, Draco has a son. So yes, it is an old character, but in a very new set of circumstances. I’m excited to explore it.”

Felton announced the role on June 5 on the Today show. His casting marks the first time an actor from the original movies has starred in the play.

Felton hit the red carpet at the 78th Annual Tony Awards in a classic black suit with a white buttoned shirt. He accessorized with a black tie and wore his hair slicked back.

The ceremony will be hosted by stage and screen star Cynthia Erivo. The first-time host will be joined by a starry list of presenters including Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana DeBose, Danielle Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lea Salonga and Jean Smart.

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Erivo at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and airing on CBS and Paramount+.

Source People.com