For millions of fans around the world, the Harry Potter movies are pure enchantment. But for Jason Isaacs, who played the ruthless Lucius Malfoy, the process of bringing the magic to life wasn’t quite as thrilling as one might imagine.
A Magical Experience — From the Audience’s Perspective
Appearing on BBC’s The One Show on February 21, Isaacs reflected on his time in the iconic franchise. While visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour with his godchildren, he admitted that seeing the recreated sets still moves him deeply. "Even though I was in the films, when I've taken godchildren or nephews and nieces to the tour and the thing comes up and suddenly you're in the Great Hall, every time, I burst out in tears," he shared. "It's incredibly moving and overwhelming. There's some magic that happened in those stories."
The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Filmmaking
However, he made a surprising confession about the actual filming experience: "It's a terrible confession to make, they weren't that much fun to make. It's quite boring, making big special effects films."
Despite this, Isaacs acknowledges that the true magic of Harry Potter comes from the way it has resonated with audiences over the years. "The pleasures all come afterwards," he explained.
"I see and meet people for whom their lives were changed by it, and still people reading it and sharing it with their children. Some people say their lives were saved by it, and I believe it."
The Secret Ingredient Behind the Magic
Isaacs, who portrayed the menacing Malfoy patriarch across six of the eight films, said there was an unexplainable element that made the series so special. "Something happened, who knows why, when those ingredients came together and the soufflé rose, and it created just love around the world and a sense of inclusion."
Intimidation on Set
Looking back on his early days in the franchise, Isaacs also recalled feeling intimidated by some of the legendary actors on set, including Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman. "I was terrified of being bland around all these incredible actors," he admitted.
"I was around the royal family of British actors! I tried to come up with the voice because Alan Rickman, the greatest screen villain certainly of our age — I knew he was in it, so I had to come up with a voice I thought that sounded like fingernails on a blackboard. I wanted a voice that irritated you in one syllable."
Despite the long hours and the occasionally tedious filming process, Isaacs remains in awe of the enduring power of Harry Potter. Even if making the movies wasn’t always thrilling, the way they continue to inspire generations is something he deeply cherishes.
