Johnny Flynn Demands Private Schools Be Burnt Down

Harry Potter star Johnny Flynn is calling for all private schools to be 'burnt to the ground' after describing his own childhood as a nightmarish ordeal. The 43-year-old actor, who plays Lucius Malfoy in HBO's new adaptation of J.K. Rowling's wizarding books, made these drastic comments while discussing how he was sent away at just seven years old. He faced bullying during those school years and called the experience quite traumatic.

Flynn told Radio Times that it took many years to understand there was something painful about his early life. Therapy eventually helped him grasp what he terms 'boarding school syndrome.' Today, he says he is good. But his anger toward the system remains sharp. He believes private schools should not exist at all.

The remarks came while Flynn talked about his role in MobLand, a crime drama starring Tom Hardy with Guy Ritchie as executive producer. All three men attended private institutions. Flynn sees this as a major issue to address right now. He noted that when only public school graduates tell the stories, it feels wrong. However, he also praised actors like Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch for their kindness and willingness to admit they do not want to be the sole voices in the room.

Flynn's own story begins in England where he started playing the violin as a child. He earned a music scholarship that sent him to Pilgrims, a cathedral school in Winchester, when he was eight years old. Later he moved on to Bedales School for more musical training before training as an actor. He found his first boarding school deeply unhappy and struggled to understand why his parents chose that path for him.

A spokesperson for The Pilgrims' School responded to the controversy with a statement of regret. They said they are saddened to hear anyone recalls a difficult experience during their time at school. The school noted it has evolved significantly over the years. Like other schools across the country, their safeguarding and pastoral approaches are continually reviewed and strengthened. They believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and that they belong.

A culture built on kindness, respect, and inclusion stands as the bedrock for everything we attempt to do. Alongside a solid pastoral framework, the wellbeing of every pupil remains at the heart of school life. This philosophy guides how educators approach their daily work.

Now, despite holding strong views about private education, actor Flynn is preparing to return to the world of boarding schools on screen. He will step into one of the most recognisable villains in the Harry Potter universe as Lucius Malfoy. The role belongs to him in HBO's new television adaptation of the books. Flynn takes over from Jason Isaacs, who brought this character to life in the original films.

The series is set to premiere on Christmas Day this year. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, Arabella Stanton will portray Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will take on Ron Weasley. The first season draws its story from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The series intends to follow Rowling's books more closely than the films were able to do.

Flynn said he approached the role of Lucius differently from Isaacs. He insisted that he needed to empathise with his characters rather than simply portray them as villains. Jason is brilliant, Flynn stated. He has a moral compass that shows him his true north and he underlined the themes of racism. Flynn did not mean to denounce Isaacs's version, but he explained he cannot play a character unless he empathises with them.

His own experiences helped him understand the psychology of people who become bullies after being bullied themselves. He was one of those kids bullied in his school, and he has now turned into the bully, so he does not know another way. That is how Flynn wants to play him because he knows those people quite well. On the one hand, they were the people that bullied him, they were the abusers, but at some point, they were the abused. So, nobody is outright good or bad in the world.

In the original films, Isaacs played Lucius as a sinister aristocrat and staunch supporter of Voldemort. The character's contempt for Muggles and those from non-magical families remained central to his portrayal. Flynn, meanwhile, is best known for roles including George Knightley in the 2020 film Emma and appearances in Lovesick, Ripley and One Life, as well as his career as a musician.

The new Harry Potter series has already generated considerable attention ahead of its Christmas debut. John Lithgow takes on the role of Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer plays Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu portrays Severus Snape, and Nick Frost appears as Hagrid. The casting brings significant talent to a project that aims to capture the spirit of the original stories while offering new perspectives on familiar faces.