Tom Felton Joins Hansal Mehta Series ‘Gandhi’ As British Friend Of Indian Nonviolent Resistance Icon; James Murray Among Other International Cast
02.05.2024 - 08:17
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Harry Potter star Tom Felton has boarded Gandhi, the Hansal Mehta-directed streaming series about the iconic Indian nonviolent resistance leader from Applause Entertainment.
Felton will play Josiah Oldfield, Gandhi’s first and best friend during a period he spent in London while studying law. Pratik Gandhi (no relation) is playing Gandhi, as we reported back in May 2022, and we can reveal his real-life partner, Bhamini Oza, will play Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma’s wife.
The period drama series has been billed as India’s answer to The Crown, and several scenes are being shot in London this month. As such, British actors James Murray (Masters of the Air, The Crown), Jonno Davies (Better Man, Hunters), Molly Wright (Apostasy), Simon Lennon (Bridgerton, Our Girl), Ralph Adeniyi (The Tunnel, Queenie), Libby Mai and Lindon Alexander (Undercover, The Gold) are joining Felton in the cast. Sameer Nair’s Applause Enteertainment is producing.
Oldfield, one of the co-founders of the Vegetarian Society of London and an admirer of Indian culture, was influential in Gandhi’s life after a chance meeting brought them together. The Englishman encouraged Gandhi to write for the Vegetarian Magazine and later allowed his friend to live with him, when Gandhi realized he hand been squandering his family’s money on the trappings of London life.
“I’m excited to be part of the journey of telling the story of Gandhi’s early years in London,” said Felton. “It’s an important aspect of history that hasn’t been told on screen before, and to be working with Hansal and Pratik is an honour and pleasure.”
Felton is known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, as well as roles in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Feed and