Tom Felton Joins Cast of Gandhi Web Series as Josiah Oldfield

A highly anticipated web series, "Gandhi," is currently filming in historic London pubs and other British venues, bringing to life Mahatma Gandhi's early years as a shy young man before he became India's revered father. The show has generated buzz with the addition of British actor Tom Felton to the cast.

Felton, best known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, will portray Josiah Oldfield, a close friend of Gandhi during his time studying law in London. "It is about the relationship between the two of them (Gandhi and Josiah) and how they found each other at exactly the right time," Felton explained. "And how, without meeting each other, their lives would have definitely been different. Certainly, Gandhi's would have been, and therefore the whole world would have been a very different place."

The series, directed by Hansal Mehta, will chronicle the early years of Mahatma Gandhi, drawing inspiration from acclaimed historian Ramachandra Guha's authoritative texts, "Gandhi Before India" and "Gandhi – The Years that Changed the World." Pratik Gandhi takes on the titular role of Mahatma Gandhi, alongside his real-life partner, Bhamini Oza, who will portray Kasturba Gandhi, his wife.

Felton has immersed himself in the role, researching his character with the help of his grandfather. "Most of my research has been done on the spot, literally living with the director. That's the best thing about working with not only an Indian crew but someone who knows a lot more about it than Wikipedia," he shared. The actor also praised his co-star Pratik Gandhi's performance, saying, "He is astonishing at getting into character very quickly, and I have never heard him slip one line. I've slipped quite a few. It's amazing to be surrounded by such effortless talent. It brings your game up."

The first season, comprising eight 60-minute episodes, aims to shed light on lesser-known facets of Gandhi's life, exploring the experiences that shaped his convictions and political ideologies. Subsequent seasons will delve deeper into Gandhi's life, charting his evolution as a leader and his important role in India's struggle for independence.

Filming for the series, produced by Applause Entertainment, is expected to complete in July 2024, with the show set to premiere in early 2025. The international cast also includes James Murray, Jonno Davies, Molly Wright, Simon Lennon, Ralph Adeniyi, Libby Mai, and Lindon Alexander. As anticipation builds for this fresh perspective on Mahatma Gandhi's early life, the series promises to bring untold stories and anecdotes to a global audience.

Key Takeaways

• Tom Felton joins the cast of "Gandhi" web series as Josiah Oldfield, a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The series chronicles Gandhi's early years, drawing inspiration from historian Ramachandra Guha's texts.
• Pratik Gandhi plays the titular role of Mahatma Gandhi, alongside Bhamini Oza as Kasturba Gandhi.
• The 8-episode first season explores Gandhi's life in London, shaping his convictions and ideologies.
• Filming is expected to complete in July 2024, with the show premiering in early 2025.