Jason Isaacs Shares His ‘Nerve-Wracking’ Harry Potter Set Experience: ‘The Thrill Never Wore Off’

by

As a movie enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like the magical world of Harry Potter. The transition from book to screen has been nothing short of enchanting, with fans eagerly revisiting the eight films on their Max subscriptions. Jason Isaacs, who brought the menacing Lucius Malfoy to life in the series, recently revealed his apprehensions upon setting foot on set.

The illustrious cast of “Harry Potter” is etched in film history, with Jason Isaacs being one of the mature actors who breathed life into J.K. Rowling’s tale. While the younger cast members have openly discussed their apprehensions about the movies, it appears that the star of “White Lotus” had his own reservations as well. During a Q&A for Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” (via People), Isaacs candidly disclosed:

What’s particularly thrilling is that all the actors in these movies were my idols. I’ve waited in line, even in the rain, to see them perform live on stage, for the most part.

The children from the Harry Potter series were newcomers when they started, but the adult actors were already well-established in British theatre. Notable names include Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, among others.

With a Max subscription, you can stream the entire Harry Potter series. Additionally, by prepaying for a year, you could save up to 20%! Check out the deal now.

Jason Isaacs shared during an interview that his role in the Harry Potter series was to portray why Draco Malfoy was such a disagreeable character, but interestingly enough, he starred as Draco’s father, Lucius Malfoy, in five out of the eight films. During the same interview, the actor from The OA (available for streaming with a Netflix subscription) confessed his apprehension about collaborating with the late actor who portrayed Dumbledore, Richard Harris. In his own words:

“I was tasked with demonstrating Draco Malfoy’s unlikable nature in Harry Potter, but I ended up playing Lucius Malfoy for five out of eight films. In this same interview, the star from The OA (streaming on Netflix) admitted his anxiety about working alongside Richard Harris, who portrayed Dumbledore.

On my first significant day, I found myself working alongside the late, esteemed Richard Harris, famously known for portraying Dumbledore in the initial two films. Interestingly enough, his son, Jared Harris, was a classmate of mine at drama school. Days when Richard Harris would visit our drama school were days that required an extra layer of protection – four pairs of underpants, as I recall. To stand opposite him was truly awe-inspiring. Fast forward to many years later… when we filmed the courtyard scene and the grand finale battle, I couldn’t help but look around in amazement. Everywhere I looked, there were Oscar winners – the exhilaration never faded.

Discussing the intimidating nature, Isaac (a gifted actor) found it naturally challenging to encounter his idols on the set of the Harry Potter movies. Today’s young actors might feel similarly awestruck by him, but at 61 years old, this veteran screen star offered insights into filming at Hogwarts and beyond, sharing his experiences in his own words.

Each workday on a film set, you receive a document known as a call sheet. It lists everyone involved and the scenes they’ll perform that day. Even after seeing my name among those renowned actors, who have always been my acting idols, I was still in disbelief.

Acting is a delicate balance, since the ideal role may put you alongside your idols. Despite feelings of apprehension, Isaacs delivered an unforgettable portrayal as the head of the Malfoy clan. Whoever takes on that part next will have some impressive footsteps to follow.

As the “Harry Potter” television series progresses, it’s time for another actor to step into the shoes of Lucius Malfoy. It’ll be intriguing to discover who lands this role and whether they share any on-set tension similarities with the original portrayer. We’ll find out soon enough.

Read More

2025-05-05 22:41