Harry Potter actor Johnny Flynn has sparked controversy by stating he believes private schools should be "burnt to the ground," citing a "traumatic" experience from his childhood at a boarding school. Flynn, 43, attended Pilgrims’ School in Winchester on a choral scholarship from age seven. He revealed he was subjected to bullying during his time there, an experience he described as deeply traumatic. He explained that being separated from his family led to the development of "little nervous tics" and that he only fully understood the mental toll years later. Flynn has since undergone therapy and learned about "boarding school syndrome," a condition linked to emotional and psychological distress in students who attend boarding schools. He now says he is "good, I’m OK now." The Independent has reached out to Pilgrims’ School for a response. Flynn is set to play Lucius Malfoy in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series, a role originally portrayed by Jason Isaacs in the film adaptations. The series features a lineup of British actors, 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. Young actors Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will take on the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively. The series has faced controversy before its release, with the LGBTQ+ community threatening to boycott the project due to author J.K. Rowling’s involvement. Rowling has been criticized for making anti-transgender comments on social media. When asked about the controversy, Flynn said he has personal feelings about the matter but chose to focus on his gratitude for being part of the project. He added that he took on the role to please his three children, whom he shares with his wife, Beatrice Minns. Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black in the original film adaptations, recently expressed optimism about the new series, saying it will be "more satisfying" than the movies, as it is expected to follow the books more closely. His comments suggest that fans may have high hopes for the new adaptation, despite the ongoing debates surrounding its production.