TheHarry PotterTV show has the chance to crystallize the character of Draco Malfoy, taking the implications of the books and movies to their logical conclusion. There are many characters that deserve a thorough examination in the show, especially seeing as this adaptation has the breathing space of multiple seasons to tell J.K. Rowling’s epic, sprawling story. Conversely,theHarry Pottermovieshad to condense Rowling’s books into eight feature-length pictures, which meant neutering some powerful character arcs. Draco’s story could have been improved on, making the show a key opportunity.
TheHarry Potterfranchise has been given a second chance on all its characters in the upcoming HBO TV series, and one character it should pay attention to is Draco. Even in the books,Draco Malfoy experienced a touch of unresolved character development. Far from Rowling penning a flawed narrative, the huge fan response to Malfoy’s character was such that his moral ambivalence saw significant focus, leaving many with questions as to his nature and future. As one ofHarry Potter’smain characters, Malfoy is guaranteed ample screen time in the show, which can finally tackle some Malfoy mysteries.
HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Must Decide If Draco Malfoy Is Capable Of Redemption
Draco Malfoy Could Have A Redemption Arc
TheHarry PotterTV show coming up will have to take a stance on Draco Malfoy. The stance on Malfoy in both the books and movies sometimes felt undecided.The books and movies offered a delightfully complex Draco Malfoy, and the good in his cruel character was exactly what made him so captivating. But withHarry Pottergetting so big and reaching so many, Malfoy started to divide fans, with some claiming that he was awful and others claiming that he was a protagonist. Inaddressing Malfoy’s redemptionhead-on, the show can unite fans and continue a useful dialogue.
Malfoy represented newer generations being pulled into problematic ideology and wrestling with their upbringing to decide their place in the world.
Draco Malfoy was representative of some incredibly serious themesin Rowling’s story.Harry was the ultimate foil for Voldemort, an orphan like the Dark Lord who instead chose to channel his trauma towards the light. This proved the good in humanity and the human capacity to break the cycle of generational hardship. Meanwhile, Malfoy represented newer generations being pulled into problematic ideology and wrestling with their upbringing to decide their place in the world. The show should manifest this critical theme by addressing Malfoy’s redemption, which was dangled by both the books and the movies, but never confirmed.
The Harry Potter Books & Movies Leave Draco Teetering Between Good & Evil
The Movies Teased Draco Malfoy’s Redemption
TheHarry Potterbooks introduced Draco Malfoy as a villain but left him partially redeemed.Malfoy never became a hero in Rowling’s books, despite making some choices that were confusingly heroic, on closer inspection. One of theDraco Malfoy moments that the HBO show must includeis his decision to save Harry from Voldemort inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Draco obviously could see that Harry was disguised underneath the effects of the polyjuice potion, but deliberately misidentified him to avoid him getting executed.
Although a childish, toxic bully who targeted “Mudbloods,” Malfoy proved that this was superficial bravado, rather than genuine pure-blood supremacy.
This is exemplary of the complex storytelling that divided fans. Heroizing a character is not hard to do, it requires giving them noble lines that emphasize their self-sacrifice and bravery, and it requires them making bold choices that demonstrate their propensity to put others first. Although a childish, toxic bully who targeted “Mudbloods,” Malfoy proved that this was superficial bravado, rather than genuine pure-blood supremacy. He repeatedly risked his life to save the lives of his enemies (Harry and Dumbledore). ButDraco was never glamorized into a hero, his petty, fearful, sniveling dialogue getting in the way.
A Draco Malfoy Redemption Arc Would Make The Harry Potter Remake More Interesting
The HBO Show Should Redeem Malfoy
Following through on the heroic implications of Draco Malfoy’s actions in both the books and the movies would make theHarry PotterTV show much more interesting. There is much to explore in Malfoy’s redemptive actions.One could argue that Malfoy didn’t rescue Harry or Dumbledore, he was just too scared to kill them. But his fear of becoming a murderer was balanced by his fear of death and losing his family - Voldemort had threatened to kill them if Draco failed as his assassin. This is drama at its best, and the show should make the most of it.
Draco Malfoy was played by actor Tom Felton in the original cinematic adaptations.
Draco’s conflict pitted killing against being killed, which is the archetypal hero’s struggle, the struggle of the individual to liberate themselves and their voice from a lifetime of conditioning and falsehoods.As a child, Draco’s bigotry was a joke, but war took his innocence as it takes the innocence of all children, death being the great equalizer, and his true nature was revealed. The show should make this as powerful as it really is. Draco’s conflict forged his respect for life in fire, which is as beautiful, tragic, and compelling as coming-of-age stories get.
If Draco Isn’t Redeemable, The HBO Show Must Make Him Unlikable
If Not Redeemed, Malfoy Must Be Truly Despicable
WhilethePotterverse moviesand books offered up a Draco Malfoy that existed in moral shades of gray,the show could take Malfoy’s character into much more black-and-white territory. Lionizing Malfoy, even to a small extent, in one or two moments, would be enough to offer closure on his complex character development. The redemption that this would provide the lauded character would do him real justice. However, should the show choose to step away from Malfoy’s redemption arc and embrace the brilliance of his villainy in the first few books, it should go all the way.
Draco’s conflict forged his respect for life in fire, which is as beautiful, tragic, and compelling as coming-of-age stories go.
Joffrey Baratheon epitomized cruel, odious teenage boyhood in HBO’s seminalGame of Thrones, and he would make a good blueprint for a truly vile Malfoy. The Malfoy of the first few books needs no correction, but if Malfoy becomes irredeemable,little Joffrey moments in his older years could serve to impress his ferocity on viewers. The problem with this isHarry Potter & The Cursed Child, which Rowling confirmed as canon, and presents Draco as a far more mellow, kind person in his adult years. WhateverHarry Potterdecides, a consistent portrayal of Draco Malfoy, plumbing the depths of his journey, would be welcome.
Harry Potter
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Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
