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Many will have always dreamed of joining the wizarding world of Hogwarts, but for one Jersey muggle, that dream has become a reality – on the West End Stage in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Islander James Hunt slithered into the role of Harry Potter’s nemesis, the sneering Draco Malfoy, for the first time on Wednesday in the blockbuster two-part stage tale following the adult lives of JK Rowling’s best-loved magical gang – now 19 years older, and with children of their own.
“Audiences will know the character of Draco from the original stories and it's fascinating to see what has happened to him in the nineteen years since. Draco now has a son, Scorpius, and we get to learn about their father-son relationship,” the Old Vic Bristol Theatre School alumnus told Express.
Take a look behind-the-scenes of our character photo shoot with the new #CursedChild cast in this exclusive video. pic.twitter.com/EDsJWy7emV
— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) May 22, 2017
Having worked on the show for over a year in a supporting role, he had already played the Slytherin wizard several times on stage and described being cast permanently as, “…like visiting an old friend.”
“It's fantastic to be playing the role full time and working with a new company of actors, finding new things and exploring the character in more depth.”
“Before starting the job I had read or watched all of the stories, but in the last few months I've gone back and re-read all of the books and I've been gripped! The storytelling is incredible, the characters so well drawn. It's such a privilege to be able to play one of those iconic characters.”
The Malfoys – Draco (@JHowardActor) & Scorpius (@BlenkinSamuel). The new #CursedChild cast first perform on 24 May at the Palace Theatre. pic.twitter.com/PX32hAXbal
— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) May 22, 2017
From the Duchess of Malfi to Malfoy, the actor’s career has led him through many traditional and Shakespearian roles – Romeo and Juliet, As You Like it and King Lear, to name but a few.
But before ditching the Bard for flying broomsticks, his roots were planted in television. Islanders might spy a familiar face from ITV Channel’s nightly broadcast in the late 90s.
And the TV involvement didn’t stop there. James has also starred in Black Mirror, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Skins and Midsomer Murders.
Pictured: Now James is Channel-ling a very different personality. (Source: Conductor71/Daily Motion)
Whether on TV or stage, he says Jersey played a key role in sparking his acting interest, which ultimately led to the world of incantations:
“I had always wanted to be an actor from my days doing shows at the Jersey Opera House and Arts Centre. After university I wasn't quite ready to take the plunge, but I fell into presenting and reporting for Channel Television and had the most incredible three years, including meeting my wife!
“I then went off to train at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and the rest is history.... well, fifteen years of hard work and perseverance! I've been lucky to work in television and film, and my highlight until now was working at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
“But this job beats them all! The show has been such a joy to work on, and the audiences and fans have been incredible. I get to be a wizard in the west end, what could be better than that?!”
…Being a Gryffindor, some might argue. Either way, JK Rowling seems to be pleased with the new casting, having accio-d flowers and well wishes for James ahead of the Wednesday premiere.
Thank you so much @jk_rowling for the beautiful flowers and good wishes, and mostly for the awesome world you created for us to play in x pic.twitter.com/ycxDtRPp9T
— James Howard (@JHowardActor) May 24, 2017
So does the production merit rave reviews of nine and three quarters out of ten? Islanders can discover for themselves at Palace Theatre, London.
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