Latest news with #Potterheads
The Age
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Is Brisbane's new Harry Potter forest experience worth the galleons?
In case you missed it, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience has set up beside Mount Cotton's Sirromet Winery from tonight June 20 until July 27. For Potterheads and fans of Fantastic Beasts it's a pretty enticing brief. Basically, it's a walk through a real-life forest featuring all the most iconic scenes from the film franchise set to a nostalgic soundtrack with plenty of photo opportunities. The experience has toured across the world with a reputation for selling out. So, will Brisbane's take live up to the hype? We headed to the opening night to find out. Now, it's best to get on the record up front that we are not the biggest Potterheads. Yes, we've seen the movies and read (some) of the books. But on a scale of muggle-status to having a Deathly Hallows tattoo, we sit somewhere in the middle. The drive to Mount Cotton takes about 45 minutes from inner-city Brisbane, so don't forget to factor that in. We were pleased to find the parking process super straightforward with heaps of signage to navigate the property in the dark. From the get-go we were serenaded with Hedwig's Theme as we wandered through lantern lit entryways. The experience begins in an outdoor food court where we fuelled up with Harry Potter classics like butter beer and not-so-classics (chicken tenders and chips). At an eye-watering $24 for three mediocre chicken tenders and a handful of chips, we would recommend eating before the event. But, novelty bites like cake pops that reveal which Harry Potter house you're in are worthy of the splurge.
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Is Brisbane's new Harry Potter forest experience worth the galleons?
In case you missed it, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience has set up beside Mount Cotton's Sirromet Winery from tonight June 20 until July 27. For Potterheads and fans of Fantastic Beasts it's a pretty enticing brief. Basically, it's a walk through a real-life forest featuring all the most iconic scenes from the film franchise set to a nostalgic soundtrack with plenty of photo opportunities. The experience has toured across the world with a reputation for selling out. So, will Brisbane's take live up to the hype? We headed to the opening night to find out. Now, it's best to get on the record up front that we are not the biggest Potterheads. Yes, we've seen the movies and read (some) of the books. But on a scale of muggle-status to having a Deathly Hallows tattoo, we sit somewhere in the middle. The drive to Mount Cotton takes about 45 minutes from inner-city Brisbane, so don't forget to factor that in. We were pleased to find the parking process super straightforward with heaps of signage to navigate the property in the dark. From the get-go we were serenaded with Hedwig's Theme as we wandered through lantern lit entryways. The experience begins in an outdoor food court where we fuelled up with Harry Potter classics like butter beer and not-so-classics (chicken tenders and chips). At an eye-watering $24 for three mediocre chicken tenders and a handful of chips, we would recommend eating before the event. But, novelty bites like cake pops that reveal which Harry Potter house you're in are worthy of the splurge.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Harry Potter's new cast member names released, including Draco Malfoy; check out the complete list
Gather up, Potterheads! The new cast members of the 'Harry Potter' TV series have been officially announced by the producers, including the cunning Draco Malfoy, the Weasleys, Dursleys, and many more. The series adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series added 9 names of the actors to the list. The announced cast members According to the Instagram handle of Max and HBO, the cast includes (from upper right to lower left) Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Other cast members The aforementioned nine actors are believed to be joining the announced cast, including the leading trio of the series, Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), who will be the newcomers in the series that is set to run for a decade, and the adult leads of the series, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. About the Harry Potter universe The series has been described as a 'faithful adaptation' of the fan favourite books by Rowling, and it is set to be on the screen sometime in 2026. None of the original cast members of the film franchise are returning to the TV adaptation of the Potter universe. However, Tom Felton returned as his iconic character of Draco Malfoy in Broadway's 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' Written by Jack Thorne, he will be making his debut in the Lyric Theatre in New York City. The shows will be for a limited period, and shall commence on November 11, 2025, and end on March 22, 2026, running for 19 weeks.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Spoken like a true Slytherin': Harry Potter star Tom Felton faces major backlash from Potterheads for his ‘admiration' of J.K. Rowling
Turns out, Draco Malfoy has made a comeback! No, it's not just about Tom Felton coming back to the Wizarding World and reprising his role as Draco Malfoy for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. The actor who rose to fame as a child artist from the sets of Harry Potter, playing the role of Draco Malfoy, has recently faced significant backlash from the Potterhead community following his public admiration for author J.K. Rowling. What happened? After Felton's comeback as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway was declared, the 37-year-old English actor made an appearance at this year's Tony Awards. During the interview at the Tony Awards, Felton addressed questions about Rowling's controversial views, stating, "I'm not really that attuned to it." When asked if various remarks by Rowling, which has time and again has made the author's stance clear on transgender women and the issues related to them and hence fueled transphobia, played any role in his decision to step back into Malfoy's shoes, Felton responded, 'If anything, I remind myself I've been lucky to travel the world, and I've not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo ' He emphasized the unifying power of the Harry Potter series, noting its ability to bring together people from diverse backgrounds. Felton expressed gratitude for Rowling's creation, saying, 'I'm incredibly grateful.' The comeback of Draco Malfoy: After Felton conveyed how he felt about his comeback to the Wizarding World and his relentless gratitude towards Rowling, Potterheads did not delay in expressing how disappointed they were in him. Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, where the snippet of his interview was posted to express their displeasure at his answer. One fan said, "What a privileged straight white man take." While most of the Potterheads tagged him as an 'actual Slytherin', who are often associated with ambition beyond the consideration of right and wrong, a second fan said, "Tom felton….. you've lost any respect you've ever had from me." Another said, "Translation: I do not have anyone close to me who is trans. And since it doesn't affect me personally, it doesn't matter. Nothing has brought the world more together than Potter? She has made the world less safe for an entire group of people. Shame on Tom Felton." A fourth fan said, "Must be nice for Tom Felton to not have to be 'attuned' to Rowling's awfulness. Doesn't personally affect him, so why should he care?" However, that's not all. Several internet users, on the other hand, called Felton 'most level headed' for not going on to 'bite the hand that feeds him.' While one user wrote, 'Turns out the villain was the good guy after all. What a gracious, respectful reply,' another echoed the same sentiment, by saying, 'It's amazing how the guy who played one of the meanest characters in the franchise is literally one of the nicest people in real life.' Felton's comeback: Felton's casting in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was announced earlier this month. The Tony-award winning play returns to Hogwarts 19 years after the events of the last book in the series — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — and follows the new alliances and antagonisms between the children of the Potter generation. Felton is set to take over for Aaron Bartz in a 19-week limited engagement at the Lyric Theatre in New York City from Nov. 11 to March 22. Sharing his happiness for being able to come back to the Potterverse, Felton said, "It's such a huge part of my childhood. It's like me going back to high school!" Despite the criticism for his comments during the interview at the Tony Awards, Felton has maintained a diplomatic stance. He has stated that he is "pro-discussion, pro-love," and prefers to focus on positive aspects rather than engaging in divisive debates. Felton has also mentioned that the Harry Potter cast's group chats focus solely on "wizarding puns and banter," avoiding discussions about Rowling's views. The legacy of J.K. Rowling: J.K. Rowling's contributions to literature, particularly the Harry Potter series, have had a profound impact on readers worldwide. The series has inspired generations, promoting themes of friendship, bravery, and the fight against injustice. However, Rowling's statements on transgender issues have overshadowed her literary achievements for many fans and cast members. The author has a very public history of opposing transgender identities and rights and has often characterized many trans activists as bullies, and accused the movement of reducing women's rights and jeopardizing gay rights. Rowling, time and again, has also questioned the very nature of transgenderism. Last year in December, she took to X, stating, 'There are no trans kids. No child is 'born in the wrong body'' and accused adults of subjecting children to gender-affirming treatments she equated to 'lobotomies.' In fact, after the UK Supreme Court declared that the legal definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010 refers strictly to biological sex, which excludes transgender women, even though they have gender recognition certificates (GRCs) this April, the Harry Potter author shared a photo of her with champagne glasses and a cigar in hand, indicating the celebration of the controversial verdict, writing, 'I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.' However, Rowling's stance has not been endorsed by all who have risen to prominence through the Harry Potter franchise. Actors from the wildly popular franchise, such as the ones who portrayed the main three (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley), spoke out against Rowling and condemned her. Daniel Radcliffe wrote in part in his statement that "transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. " However, Felton's public support for J.K. Rowling has placed him at the center of a complex debate within the Harry Potter fandom. While he remains grateful for the opportunities the series has provided him, his continued admiration for Rowling has led to criticism from fans who feel that her views are incompatible with the values promoted by the series. JK Rowling CHEERS 'Biological Sex' Win; 'Bridgerton' Star Responds With RAGE, £90K Support | WATCH
The South African
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tom Felton returns as Draco Malfoy in Broadway's ‘Cursed Child'
Tom Felton, best known for his iconic role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, is enchanting fans once again. This November, he will reprise his role on Broadway in the acclaimed play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . This marks his first time on the New York stage and a magical return to the wizarding world after 15 years, according to Entertainment Now. Felton's stint at the Lyric Theatre will run for 19 weeks, from 11 November to 22 March. This makes him the first original Harry Potter film actor to join the stage production. The play continues the story 19 years after the original saga ended. Now, Draco Malfoy is no longer a schoolboy but a father navigating the challenges of adulthood alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The actor shared his excitement on Instagram. He teased fans with a clip of himself donning his signature platinum blond hair and wand. 'Guess who's back,' he captioned, sparking a wave of enthusiasm from Potterheads worldwide. Comments poured in, including cries of 'Oh my Dumbledore, what is happening? This is incredible,' highlighting just how eagerly awaited this return is. In an interview with Today , Felton described the experience as a 'pinch-me situation.' He reflected, 'I let go of that character 16 years ago, and now I get to step back into his shoes, as a father this time, in a new story.' At 37, Felton is the same age as Draco in the play, which adds a poignant layer to his performance. 'I know him quite well as a kid. I don't know him that well as an adult. So that's the exciting challenge ahead for me,' he explained. Felton's return is not just a nostalgic trip but a full-circle moment. 'Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honours of my life,' he said. 'Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me… It feels surreal to step back into his shoes – and of course, his iconic platinum blond hair. I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world'. The original films are still beloved, and an HBO series is rekindling interest among younger generations. Felton's return to Draco Malfoy offers a bridge between past and present. Tickets for the Broadway run are available online, priced in US dollars but roughly equivalent to between R1,800 and R2,500 per seat, depending on seating and booking time. This is a rare chance to see an original cast member bring new life to a much-loved character on one of the world's most prestigious stages. In the words of producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, 'Tom's return to Hogwarts connects generations of fans and revitalises a cherished narrative.' For anyone who grew up with the books and films, or for those discovering the magic anew, this is a moment to celebrate. Draco Malfoy is back – and this time, he's a father with a story all his own. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
