JOHNNY FLYNN SAYS PRIVATE SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT EXIST

Johnny Flynn has said private schools should be "burnt to the ground" and that he does not believe they should exist, according to comments he made to the Radio Times. The actor, cast as Lucius Malfoy in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series, said his view stems from his time at Pilgrims' School in Winchester. He attended the boarding school from age seven after winning a choral scholarship. He said the experience was "quite traumatic" and that he was badly bullied. He developed "little nervous tics" after being separated from his family, and only recognised the toll years later. Pilgrims' School has been contacted for comment.

Flynn said he later underwent therapy, which he described as "brilliant", and it was through this that he came to understand the effect his schooling had on him. He said he learned of a condition known as "boarding school syndrome" and now considers himself "OK". The actor is best known for the Channel 4 sitcom Lovesick, the 2020 film Emma, and the Paramount+ drama MobLand. He is set to play Lucius Malfoy, father of Harry Potter's rival Draco Malfoy, a role previously played by Jason Isaacs in the film series.

Flynn joins a cast of British actors in the HBO revival, including John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Pilgrims' School had not issued a public response to Flynn's comments at the time of reporting. The series is based on the novels by JK Rowling.