Jason Isaacs, a.k.a. Lucius Malfoy, Admits theHarry PotterFilms Were ‘Quite Boring’ to Make

Mar. 15, 2025

Jason Isaacs in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ in 2002 (left); Jason Isaacs in 2025 (right).Photo:Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Gerald Matzka/Getty

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Gerald Matzka/Getty

Movie magic can take a lot of different shapes.

On Friday, Feb. 21, Jason Isaacs appeared on BBC’sThe One Show. Isaacs, who stars inthe new season ofThe White Lotus, played Lucius Malfoy in theHarry Potterfilm series, and he spoke to the hosts about how the movies still affect him years later.

“Even though I was in the films, when I’ve taken godchildren or nephews and nieces tothe tourand the thing comes up and suddenly you’re in the Great Hall, every time, I burst out in tears,” Isaacs, 61, said. “It’s incredibly moving and overwhelming. There’s some magic that happened in those stories.”

But, that doesn’t mean being on set for the movies was as magical and special of an experience. He said, “It’s a terrible confession to make, they weren’t that much fun to make. It’s quite boring, making big special effects films.”

Jason Isaacs in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ in 2007.Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

As to how that specialness came to be, Isaacs said he can’t pinpoint a specific thing. “Something happened, who knows why, when those ingredients came together and the souffle rose and it created just love around the world and a sense of inclusion,” he said.

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Isaacs’ Lucius was one of Harry Potter’s antagonists, the controlling father ofTom Felton’s Draco. Isaacs appeared in 2002’sHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 2005’sHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2007’sHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 2009’sHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2010’sHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1and 2011’sHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.A Death Eater, Lucius is one of Lord Voldemort’s strongest supporters and pushes his son to support him and his dark magic as well.

Jason Isaacs (left) and Tom Felton in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’ in 2010.Warner Bros. Ent./Courtesy Everett Collection

Warner Bros. Ent./Courtesy Everett Collection

“I was terrified of being bland around all these incredible actors,” he said. “I was around the royal family of British actors! I asked for the wig, the robes. They wanted me in a suit with ordinary hair. I tried to come up with the voice, because Alan Rickman [who played Professor Severus Snape], the greatest screen villain certainly of our age — I knew he was in it so I had to come up with a voice I thought that sounded like fingernails on a blackboard. I wanted a voice that irritated you in one syllable.”

source: people.com