Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard

Tom Felton's memoir covers his life on and off set, from his early rise to fame in films like The Borrowers to his decade-long role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. During filming, he balanced life as a major pop culture figure with attempts to live as a normal teenager in school. Felton recounts stories from his early acting career, including his first role and his Harry Potter audition, where he admitted to not having read the books. He reflects on working with actors including Alan Rickman, Sir Michael Gambon, Dame Maggie Smith, and Ralph Fiennes, and discusses the relationships he formed over the decade of filming—particularly with Emma Watson, who evolved from a nine-year-old castmate into a close friend. The memoir also explores the highs and lows of fame and life after the Harry Potter films ended.