The British actor Jason Isaacs recently met with Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the vegetarian restaurant Tendril in London, where they chatted about various aspects of their careers. In this lively conversation, Isaacs reflected on his iconic role as Lucius Malfoy in the successful Harry Potter saga, highlighting the creative freedom that the actors experienced during filming.
Better without the presence of J.K. Rowling
Isaacs, who played the antagonist Malfoy in five of the eight films, recalled how the absent presence of J.K. Rowling, the author of the series, allowed the actors to improvise. “Jo recognized that they were movies and not books, so it was a different medium,” he explained. This flexibility was evident from his first day on set, when he improvised a line that, according to him, captured the character’s arrogance in a scene with Harry Potter.
The actor did not hold back in praising his colleague Daniel Radcliffe, describing him as “smart” and “mature.” Isaacs predicts that Radcliffe could eventually turn to directing, given his ambition and artistic desire. “He has been famous and rich, so now he can choose interesting independent films,” he commented on the artistic evolution of the young actor, who since the conclusion of Harry Potter has opted for roles in quirky productions and has found success on Broadway.
Radcliffe has participated in acclaimed plays and musicals in New York, including a Tony Award for his performance in Merrily We Roll Along. However, to date, he has not yet sat in the director’s chair. For more details about the conversation between Isaacs and Ferguson, you can tune in to the latest episode of Dinner’s on Me.
