Gregory Goyle – Josh Herdman
Gregory Goyle may have been a gormless goon in the Harry Potter films, but Josh Herdman is a mixed martial artist in real life. He followed in his father Martin Herdman’s footsteps by becoming an actor but also pursuing a separate career. While his father was a Rugby league footballer, Josh chose to learn MMA. However, he is also still an actor, with roles in the 2018 Robin Hood film as well as British detective series Marcella and action TV series Alex Rider.
Pansy Parkinson – Scarlett Byrne
Scarlett Byrne began her acting career long before she was cast as supporting character Pansy Parkinson. The character was a mean Slytherin character, featuring in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. She’s since starred in Falling Skies, Runaways, The Vampire Diaries, and Skybound. Byrne is now working on Stick and Poke, a short film about the art of the hand-poked tattoo. She is also expecting her first child with Playboy heir Cooper Hefner, who she married in November 2019.
Neville Longbottom – Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis landed the role of Neville Longbottom when he was 12 years old, although he started acting when he was five. An awkward, clumsy boy in the first few movies, Neville Longbottom magically transformed into one of the bravest of Gryffindor. The actor shocked fans with his real-life glow up from a goofy-looking kid to a poster boy. He has since starred in The Syndicate, Bluestone 42, Me Before You, and Terminal. He even starred in the music video of “Filth” by A Band of Buriers.
Hermione Granger – Emma Watson
Muggle-born Hermione Granger, the brightest and most compassionate witch of her age, was played by Emma Watson to critical acclaim. After the Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson went on to star in movies such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women. During this time, she also succeeded in getting a bachelor’s degree in English literature and launching the HeForShe campaign as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador. She calls for boys and men to advocate gender equality.
Lucius Malfoy – Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs is great at playing criminals. He played the aristocrat patriarch Lucius Malfoy to chilling perfection in the Harry Potter films, with his luscious mane of white-blonde hair, ornamental cane, and condescending voice. Like Evanna Lynch, Jason Isaacs also loved the books, having read four of them in one sitting. Since Harry Potter, he has starred in The Patriot, Brotherhood, and The Death of Stalin, all as villains. He has also been in TV shows such as Awake, Dig, and Scoob.
Harry Potter – Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe became Harry Potter at the age of 11, and his life was changed forever. The role would bring him fame and fortune, but also criticism. As a child, his performance in the third film was criticized as “wooden” and “bland” but by the fifth movie, he was winning awards for it. Radcliffe has since taken on many different types of roles, starring in movies like horror sci-fi Victor Frankenstein and comedy-dramas like Swiss Army Man, proving himself to be a versatile actor.
Narcissa Malfoy – Helen McCrory
Like Robbie Coltrane, British actress Helen Elizabeth McCrory was also appointed an OBE. She has also been in a James Bond film. McCrory played supporting character Narcissa Malfoy in the final three Harry Potter movies. But it is her role as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders that has won her critical acclaim. She has also starred in movies like The Queen, The Special Relationship, Charlotte Gray, Fearless, and MotherFatherSon. In 2020, McCrory was busy raising over $1 Million for a food charity during the pandemic. Tragically McCrory passed away in 2021, at the age of 52.
Dudley Dursley – Harry Melling
His role as spoiled cousin Dudley Dursley might not have made the best use of his acting abilities, but Harry Melling comes from a family lineage of actors. He has since lost weight, which has left him free to pursue roles very different from that of Dudley Dursley. He has since played in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, delivering a performance that won him critical acclaim. Melling has also made appearances in films like The Lost City of Z, and fantasy shows like Merlin.
Dean Thomas – Alfred Enoch
Alfred Enoch took on the role of Dean Thomas when he was only 13 years old. After the Harry Potter films, the English-Brazilian actor gained fame and recognition by playing the main role of Wes Gibbins in the legal drama How to Get Away with Murder. He has been in several Shakespeare plays, from Timon of Athens and Coriolanus to King Lear. He has also starred in Trust Me and is now working on Provisional Measure.
Draco Malfoy – Tom Felton
What Harry Potter is to Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy is to Slytherin. Arguably his darkest moment came in The Half-Blood Prince when he helped lure Dumbledore to his demise. To be fair though, it was all part of a deeper plan against Voldemort, so we guess we can forgive him a little. Felton might not have been able to eclipse the fame set by his role as Draco, but he has appeared in other huge blockbuster film franchises, including the recent Planet of the Apes reboot series.
Colin Creevey – Hugh Mitchell
Remember the kid photographer who was obsessed with Harry, and wouldn’t miss a chance to fanboy over him? Yes, we’re talking about Colin Creevey! He represented all of us Potterheads in the film. Actor Hugh Mitchell, in his post-Potter era, has maintained a low key acting career, appearing as Silas in The Da Vinci Code and some other British hits like Wallander, The White Queen, and more. Hugh remained loyal to Colin’s photography passion, which is evident in his Instagram account!
Cedric Diggory – Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson may have been mocked for taking on the role of vampire Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga, but he was praised for his role as handsome Hufflepuff prefect Cedric Diggory before that in Harry Potter. Since then, he’s had a remarkable acting career. He has quickly established himself as a serious actor through stellar performances in movies like Remember Me, Water for Elephants, and The Lighthouse. His latest role will be that of Bruce Wayne in the upcoming TheBatman.
Ron Weasley – Rupert Grint
Let’s face it – Harry Potter wouldn’t have achieved half of the things he did without his best friend, Ron Weasley. The quintessential sidekick from the most loveable family in the entire story was by Harry’s side every step of the way and even ended up with Hermione when everything was said and done. These days, Rupert Grint is slowly building a reputation as a well-respect actor, having most recently appeared on shows such as Sick Note, Snatch, and Servant.
Albus Dumbledore – Michael Gambon
Sir Michael John Gambon played the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the last few Harry Potter movies. He played the legendarily powerful wizard with a keen mind and kind heart to perfection. To see what he looks like under the long white mane and beard, the British-Irish actor can be found in The King’s Speech, Fortitude, Judy, and Cordelia. He looks so different when he’s shaved. He is now playing in a movie about James Joyce called James and Lucia.
Petunia Dursley – Fiona Shaw
Irish actress Fiona Shaw played Aunt Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter movies. She expertly elicited profound dislike by mistreating her nephew Harry Potter, who she loathed because he came from the magical world that she could not be a part of. Her sensational performances in Killing Eve, which won her a BAFTA, and in Fleabag have collected her many new fans and gotten her two Emmy nominations.
Professor Flitwick – Warwick Davis
English actor Warwick Davis sounds like a wizard himself, but he was named Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter movies, playing the Charms Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has starred as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and as a leprechaun in the Leprechaun film series. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Warwick Davis went on to create talent agency Willow Management to ensure that actors under five feet were properly represented.
Sirius Black – Gary Oldman
Sirius Black was played by Gary Oldman, a fearful wizard with a tortured past due to the years he spent in Azkaban, the wizarding prison. He has starred in more than 50 movies. No one really knows what Gary Oldman looks like because he’s so great at transforming his appearance to resemble the character he is portraying. Notable examples include his villainous portrayals in True Romance, The Fifth Element, Air Force One, The Contender, and Léon: The Professional. Can we add Sirius Black to that list?
Nymphadora Tonks – Natalia Tena
Metamorphmagus Nymphadora Tonks was an Auror who fell in love with werewolf Remus Lupin and died alongside him in the final war. She liked to wear her hair short, spiky and bubble-gum colored and also preferred being called by her surname only. Nymphadora Tonks was one of the coolest characters in Harry Potter, made even cooler because she was played by real-life musician Natalia Tena, lead singer of Molotov Jukebox. Besides this role, she has acted in some pretty big roles. This includes her part as the wildling Osha in the much-talked-about TV series Game of Thrones.
Bill Weasley – Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson might only be in his 30s, but the Irish actor already has several award-winning films under his belt. Of course, he gained worldwide recognition as Bill Weasley, the oldest, coolest and most attractive of the Weasley siblings. He’s also starred in About Time, Anna Karenina, Never Let Me Go, Frank and Unbroken, to name but a few. This year, he is starring in the comedy series Run. Although he has been named as one of Ireland’s greatest actors, he might still feel overshadowed by his father, actor Brendan Gleeson.
Barty Crouch Jr. – David Tennant
David Tennant needs no introduction if you’re a Doctor Who fan, but did you know that he played the villainous Barty Crouch Jr. in the Harry Potter movies? If you don’t remember, Barty Crouch Jr. was a Death Eater who disguised himself as Alastor Moody to lure Harry Potter to his demise. Another villain the Scottish actor is famous for is Kilgrave in Marvel’s Jessica Jones, which is about a fictional superhero. He has also starred in Broadchurch, where he plays police detective Alec Hardy.
Rubeus Hagrid – Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane played the role of gentle, lovable, loyal half-giant Rubeus Hagrid. J. K. Rowling personally requested him to play the part. Rubeus Hagrid may have made him an international star, but both before and after Harry Potter, the Scottish Actor also held prominent roles in other movies, such as two James Bond movies, Brave, Great Expectations, and National Treasure. He now has a son and a daughter and has received an OBE from the Queen.
Minerva McGonagall – Maggie Smith
Academy Award winner Maggie Smith has had so many fulfilling roles on English stage, film, and television over the years that, in 1990, Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame. She played Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film franchise and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. She has said that she is grateful for these roles but they weren’t creatively challenging enough for her. It might be because she keeps getting cast as a “spiky elderly lady”. She is now working on A Boy Called Christmas.
Mr. Ollivander – John Hurt
John Hurt, who played the mysterious Mr. Ollivander, is one of the Harry Potter actors who is no longer with us. With two Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe in his bag, he didn’t stop after playing his role of Mr. Ollivander in the Harry Potter franchise. With over 200 acting credits, the immortal John Hurt might have portrayed the most fictional characters out of all Harry Potter actors, leaving behind a huge legacy.
Bellatrix Lestrange – Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter has had an impressive career both before and after her portrayal of the villainous Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter movies. Her eccentric aura and unusual expressions have made her famous for her roles in many Tim Burton movies. These included Alice in Wonderland and its sequel, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Dark Shadows, Planet of the Apes, and Sweeney Todd. She has received dozens of awards and nominations for her show-stopping performances.
Lord Voldemort – Ralph Fiennes
Lord Voldemort was the most frightening villain for most children born in the 1990s. He was portrayed convincingly creepily by Ralph Fiennes. Lord Voldemort might have been referred to as “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,” but the English actor can also not be named, because his full name amounts to Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes. Along with Harry Potter, he has delivered great performances in Schindler’s List and The English Patient. Fiennes has also appeared in other notable films, such as In Bruges, The Reader, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Cornelius Fudge – Robert Hardy
Cornelius Fudge, played by Robert Hardy, was a powerful Minister of Magic with full control over the main governing body of the wizarding world of Harry Potter. However, Robert’s role as a political figure was not limited to the Harry Potter franchise. He was known for several portrayals of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as their resemblance was uncanny. Following a successful 70-year-long career playing remarkable roles, from Shakespeare’s Henry V to Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small, Robert Hardy passed away in August 2017.
