We Can’t Wait to Unwrap This Harry Potter Christmas Gift

Reconnecting with the rest of the cast of Harry Potter isn't the only thing that transports Tom Felton back in time — seeing his brand new Funko does too! "Usually when someone...shows me a new version, I'm just like, 'Where did you get it?'" he says. "There's one of Draco in his Quidditch outfit, which immediately takes me back to my broomstick days. But they all have their own unique little charms."

Funko is currently collaborating with Kinder Joy, which Tom and I agree feels like the muggle version of the Hogwarts Express trolley ("You get excited about the chocolate, and then after that, you get the Easter egg surprise inside"). He also says both brands bring up plenty of memories from his 10-year stretch at Hogwarts.

And as it turns out, Tom Felton and I have very vivid memories around the same movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. My local children's museum hung larger-than-life posters promoting the film, and I remember feeling how much emotional weight this particular movie held, especially as we neared the end of the story. The 2009 film catapulted the series into its final two installments, and played a huge role in Draco Malfoy's arc.

"[At the time,] we weren't privy to where our characters were going so all I did really was just focus on who [Draco] was in that particular film," Tom says. "Which is why shooting Half-Blood Prince was probably the most enjoyable. To see the the reason why Draco is, well, the way he is, I thought it was very impactful and I'm amazed at the subtleties that fans pick up on now about his story. It's a very multi-layered character."

While Tom Felton says Draco's not a good guy, he also believes the character doesn't want to end up like his father. "I think he would rather make peace than start another fight," he tells me. "He's done enough fighting...I think it's time that he chilled out a bit."

For his own relaxation, Tom recently made a trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden (where the cast filmed the series) "just to sort of pop in and see home."

"I spent like three hours...just walking around and seeing how much people enjoy it," he says. "There was a teenager with her mom taking a picture of my costume and I couldn't help but photo bomb thinking it was, you know, a nice surprise or it would be funny. But I was quickly ushered [away] by her mom saying, 'Would you mind?' So I thought that was quite funny."

Even if you haven't made the trip to London to see the Studios in person, you probably recognize them from Max's Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special, where Tom Felton reunited with the rest of the Harry Potter cast.

"I think the 20-year reunion was the reminder of, crikey time flies," he continues. "We're all bona fide adults now, but still feel like kids, I think, at heart because as soon as you put us all in the room together, we just go back to who we were when we first met. So that's a nice feeling."

​Rapid Fire With Tom Felton

Brit + Co: You record your own music, but what are you listening to right now?

Tom Felton: It changes day to day. I mean, my staple answer is the Beatles because I never get bored of it. George Harrison being my — well, not favorite Beatle, you can't really pick one, but you know what I mean — I listen to a lot of his stuff. I love Ed Sheeran's work, huge fan of him. I recently discovered a new artist, Ren. Really think he's very skillful so I've been enjoying his music too.

Brit + Co: Harry Potter is our ultimate comfort watch, what's yours?

Tom Felton: I wanna say something that [Harry Potter director] Chris Columbus has done, like Home Alone is a very comforting film. I mean, even The Borrowers, to be fair, was pretty cool. The Simpsons was a big one.

Brit + Co: Would Draco get along with any of the other characters you've played?

Tom Felton: It depends how old Draco was, but long answer short, no. I played the Boogie Man in a film called Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting and he's a bit of an evil rock star. So, maybe they would meet up once a week to play chess together.

Brit + Co: Who's your dream future co-star?

Tom Felton: I mean, I'd work with any one of my fellow wizards and witches again. I suppose off the bat I would say Jason Isaacs just because I love working with him and you learn so much [from him]. But I think also there is a secret desire for me and Daniel [Radcliffe] to be in a film together where he plays the villain and I get to be the good guy.

When is the HBO Harry Potter TV show release date?

The new Harry Potter series is expected to hit Max in 2026, according to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav (via Deadline). That means we could start seeing cast lists and getting more specific plot details in 2025!

Will there be a Harry Potter TV series?

Yes, we're getting a new Harry Potter series in television format! The official video announcement features the Hogwarts candles we see in the first film coming together to create that classic golden, lit-from-within logo. It's totally magical and nostalgic, but has a new contemporary edge I can't wait to see in its full form.

Who plays Harry Potter in the new series?

In an interview with Comicbook.com, Daniel Radcliffe makes it clear that even though he's very excited about the new show, he probably won't be included in the new cast of Harry Potter.

“I’m sure whoever is making [the series] will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere,” he says. “So I’m definitely not seeking it out in any way. But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I’m very excited to have that torch passed. But I don’t think it needs me to physically pass it.”

There's no word on whether any of the original cast will be returning, but after we cried while watching the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, we can only hope that Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, and Tom Felton will at least make cameo appearances. I'd love to see Daniel Radcliffe in the Ministry of Magic, or see Tom Felton walking around Diagon Alley. (However, I'm really hoping they're cast as the professors. Just imagine Emma as Professor McGonagall!)

Is Harry Potter on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

The Harry Potter series is currently available to stream on Max and Peacock. However, you can also rent the movies on Amazon Prime!

What else do I need to know about the new Harry Potter series?

“We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” Casey Bloys, HBO & Max Content's Chairman and CEO, said in the press release. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World.”

The series will be created in association with Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, with J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts serving as executive producers. Over the last few years, Rowling has made headlines for her conservative views and commentary on transgender identities, but at the time, Bloys didn't comment when asked whether her involvement could affect their ability to move forward.

Who is Sophia Bush?

Sophia Bush has had a lengthy career as an actress, and she's most recognized for her portrayal of Brooke Davis in the hit TV series One Tree Hill. She's also appeared in Nip/Tuck, Chicago Fire, Incredibles 2, and John Tucker Must Die. When she's not showing off her acting chops, she hosts the Drama Queens podcast alongside former One Tree Hill castmates Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz!

Who is Ashlyn Harris?

Ashlyn Harris is a former U.S. soccer player who had a successful run — no pun intended — as a goalkeeper during the career. She also won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada and continued making an impressionable mark. However, she announced her retirementin 2022 and — per her Instagrampage — has gone on to become the Global Creative Advisor for Gotham FC and Adidas Football.

When did the dating rumors about Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris start?

June 2023

Rumors about a possible connection between Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris swirled last summer when Cosmopolitanreported they were on a panel at Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity. Sophia shared a pic of the two at the festival on Instagramand wrote, "Love you @ashlynharris24 and @sophieannkelly" towards the end of her caption.

A source told Page Six, "It’s very new...They are definitely a couple.” But, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris didn't confirm or deny anything at that time.

When did Sophia Bush file for divorce from Grant Hughes?

August 2023

A couple of months after Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris were seen getting cozy together, Sophia filed for divorce from her former husband Grant Hughes. Peopleshared that they were only married for a little over a year — 13 months — but didn't end on a bad terms. A source then told Entertainment Tonight, "Grant and Sophia are better off as friends and they weren’t getting enough time with each other before their breakup."

When did Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger file for divorce?

October 2023

While things seemed to quiet down, Ashlyn Harris soon filed for divorce from Ali Krieger after getting married towards the end of 2019. What's interesting is that a source told Peoplethis decision wasn't surprising. "Although it’s new information to the public, Ashlyn and Ali’s divorce began months ago and they have been living apart since the summer,” the source said.

This is also around the time it was speculated Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris had their first official date. A rep told People, "Grant will always want the best for Sophia, and is supportive of all that makes her happy and fulfilled." We guess it helps he and Sophia had a solid friendship before getting married!

As for Ali Krieger, she basically let the world know things were business as usual with an Instagrampost. She captioned a pic of her playing soccer with, "Preparing for playoffs while in my Beyoncé lemonade era." A comment from user @lgbtlfg said, "the fact that a lot of players in these comment’s usually mind their business and stay out of drama but are supporting ali should tell everyone all they need to know."

The only thing Ashlyn said about it on Instagramis that she never intended for her and Ali's divorce to be made a public matter. A portion of her note says, "This process is never easy, but we were making our way through."

Have Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris publicly talked about their relationship?

March 2024

Besides showing up to Elton John's Oscars afterparty together, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris were previously tight-lipped about their relationship. The only hint Sophia offered was much more of a reflective post about 2023 on Instagramat the beginning of January. She said, "This year taught me to listen to myself and no one else. To let go of expectation that wounds and grasp possibility that frees. To not care about optics and instead invest in honesty."

But, she's since chosen to own where she is in life.

April 2024

Sophia Bush has now reached a point where she's publicly ready to stand in her truth regarding her life and her relationship status so much that she penned her own cover story for Glamour. The first thing she did was open up about how she really felt about her marriage and fertility struggles.

She wrote, "But after the wedding I found myself in the depths and heartbreak of the fertility process, which was the most clarifying experience of my life. It feels like society is finally making space for brutally honest conversations about how hard and painful any fertility journey is, but I kept mine private. I was trying to get through months of endless ultrasounds, hormone shots, so many blood draws that I have scar tissue in my veins, and retrieval after retrieval, while simultaneously realizing the person I had chosen to be my partner didn’t necessarily speak the same emotional language I did.”

As far as her relationship with Ashlyn Harris is concerned, the star is enjoying the love that exists between them. Contrary to alleged rumors, their initial relationship was a platonic one that stemmed from a place of understanding and support.

She told Glamour,“I didn’t expect to find love in this support system. I don’t know how else to say it other than: I didn’t see it until I saw it. And I think it’s very easy not to see something that’s been in front of your face for a long time when you’d never looked at it as an option and you had never been looked at as an option. What I saw was a friend with her big, happy life. And now I know she thought the same thing about me.”

She also added, "A lot of effort was made to be graceful with other people’s processing, their time and obligations, and their feelings. What felt like seconds after I started to see what was in front of me, the online rumor mill began to spit in the ugliest ways. There were blatant lies. Violent threats. There were the accusations of being a home-wrecker. The ones who said I’d left my ex because I suddenly realized I wanted to be with women—my partners have known what I’m into for as long as I have (so that’s not it, y’all, sorry!).”

It's safe to say that Sophia Bush is thoroughly comfortable with her love life and identity as a queer woman. She said, "I’ve experienced so much safety, respect, and love in the queer community, as an ally all of my life, that, as I came into myself, I already felt it was my home. I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer. I can’t say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.”

And this is what it looks like to reclaim your narrative when so many people are looking at a brief glimpse of the lives of celebrities. We love that Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris are loving each other on their terms without feeling pressured to share anything before they were ready to. Our hope is that their love story continues to unfold beautifully.

Be sure to watch Sophia Bush's interview with Glamour's Editor-in-Chief Samantha Barry here!

Full Credits From Glamour Magazine:

Writer: Sophia Bush

Photographer: Lauren Dukoff

Stylist: Deborah Afshani

Hair: Matthew Collins

Makeup: Afton Williams

Manicure: Brittney Boyce