Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Harry Potter's Hair Makeover for Draco Malfoy

Tom Felton, best known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, has revealed how challenging it was to achieve his character's iconic white hair. In his book, Beyond the Wand, Felton shares that the process of achieving the blonde hair color wasn't a simple one. It required multiple treatments of peroxide and dye to bring Draco Malfoy's signature look to life. Felton played the character throughout all eight films in the franchise and served as a secondary antagonist to the protagonist, Harry Potter.

To fit the part, not only did I have to act it out, but also look the part. To achieve the desired appearance, I had to undergo numerous bleaching sessions that continued for a decade. The first time was particularly daunting, as going from one hair color to another is not a simple process, especially when going lighter. It involved the application of layers of peroxide followed by tinting. Unfortunately, during this process, the peroxide burned my scalp, causing extreme discomfort.

Despite this, the filmmakers were not satisfied with the initial results and insisted on repeating the process. I pleaded with them not to, but my request was ignored, and I found myself back in the hairdresser's chair. It took several rounds over a few days to achieve the perfect shade of Malfoy blonde that would complement the other characters' hair colors. The filmmakers were meticulous about getting the coloring just right.

How Tom Felton's Draco Evolved In Harry Potter

Initially, the focus was on accurately portraying each character's appearance as described in the books, as mentioned in Felton's book excerpt. The earlier Harry Potter movies were aimed at a younger audience, and the performances of Radcliffe, Watson, Grint, and Felton were less nuanced. Felton's portrayal of Draco began as that of a typical school bully. However, as the movies progressed, Felton's performance, along with those of his fellow child actors, became more complex. Although Draco remained an arrogant bully for much of the franchise, the final few films saw him grappling with his place among the evil individuals he associated with. While following in his father Lucius's footsteps to become a Death Eater, as seen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Draco's reluctance to kill Dumbledore revealed his hesitation to fully embrace the cause.

Although Draco is generally seen as a detestable character throughout the film series, his inner turmoil ultimately adds depth to his role as a villain (despite the fact that it may not have been explored as thoroughly as it could have been). In the final moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, it becomes clear that Voldemort's demise has allowed Draco to escape his life as a Death Eater and start anew with his mother. As the later Harry Potter films progress, Felton is given the opportunity to showcase his acting abilities and portray Draco as more than just a stereotypical bully with blonde hair.