Photo: Ian West/getty

Tom Felton attending the Laurence Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Sunday April 10, 2022. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tom Feltonwasn’t always a heartthrob.

TheHarry Potteralum, 34, revealed in an interview withThe Guardianpublished Sunday that, despite his rise to fame in the Wizarding World franchise, he wasn’t scoring many dates at school.

“Some people really struggle with the idea that I wasn’t this special, popular kid, but I was walking around with dyed hair and played an evil wizard. It wasn’t cool. It did me no favors with the girls,” Felton — who made his West End debut Saturday in2:22 A Ghost Storyat the Criterion Theatre — shared.

The film’s cast, includingDaniel Radcliffe(Harry Potter),Rupert Grint(Ron Weasley) andEmma Watson(Hermione Granger),reunited for the 20th anniversaryof the first film,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, earlier this year.

Felton also toldThe Guardianabout his audition process, explaining that he dyed his hair a number of colors because he was looked at for the roles of Harry and Ron before landing the nefarious Slytherin.

“I reckon I got the part because I was nonchalant,” Felton recalled, “and had no idea what anyone was on about. Wizards in cupboards under the stairs? And with three older brothers, you learn to be confident quickly. I think Chris Columbus, the director, recognized this slight disinterest and arrogance in me, which he thought could work for Malfoy.”

Tom Felton inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2(2011).Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.

TOM FELTON as Draco Malfoy

“I didn’t have to do 10 pages of dialogue to audition,” he continued. “All I did was turn up as a snotty kid who looked right and I got the part.”

Feltonspoke with PEOPLElast June, sharing that he would love the chance to star as a Malfoy again in anotherHarry Potterfilm.

“If you’re asking me will I dye my hair blonde again to be Draco, abso-bloody-lutely. Either [him or his father, Lucius]. I’ll play Draco’s kid if you really want!” Felton said at the time while promoting the opening of theHarry Potter New York flagship store. “Any chance to be a Malfoy again would be greatly accepted.”

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“I do feel if someone else played [Draco], I’d be slightly possessive, going, ‘Hang on,’ " he added.

TheRise of the Planet of the Apesactor also said he still keeps in close contact with most of his former castmates, including twinsJames and Oliver Phelps(Fred and George Weasley), who he said beat him in golf quite often.

RELATED VIDEO: The Cast of ‘Harry Potter’ Says They’ll Always Have a “Close Bond”

“It’s sort of a very unjointed family, really, where we all kind offeel like we’re part of somethingthat we don’t actually get a chance to speak to about much,” he said. “But when we do, within a minute, Rupert’s already talking about his latest car that he wants to get or whatever it may be. It’s always fun to catch up.”

source: people.com