Women Of Harry Potter In Real Life
We are totally obsessed with all things magic! We don’t think we are alone with this passion. The “magic fad” is certainly not new. Since films like Salem, there have been more and more films about witchcraft and sorcery and we love it! We are also obsessed with all things Harry Potter! Harry Potter, of course, captivated audiences since the very beginning. The first book was released in 2001 and it left everyone wanting more. The author, J.K. Rowling, created an amazing, unique, world and story to go along with it. We all fell in love with the characters and were engrossed in the plot from the start. The book was so successful that four years after the first book was released, the first film was made: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Most of the cast was just 11 years old during filming! They were so cute and incredibly talented at such a young age! They impressed audiences around the world and it led to 7 sequels over 10 years being filmed and produced.
The story follows Harry Potter, an orphan who is destined to defeat the evil, dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. With the help of his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley they fight a long and difficult battle. Harry learned how to be a proper wizard at Hogwarts of course. He meets and teams up with a number of people along the way. He also has some romance, as do his friends and classmates.
Now there are 8 Harry Potter movies which have grossed over $7.7 billion. Not too bad! Part of its success is definitely due to the amazing performances by the cast. The women, in particular, play a variety of roles and do an amazing job. So, just how different are the actresses in real life to their on-screen roles? What do they do when they put down their wands? Read on to find out!
Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
Minerva was, of course, the Head of Gryffindor! She appeared in 7 of the films. After Dumbledore died, she remains at the school and eventually becomes the Headmistress of Hogwarts. While she seems very strict and scary towards the students, it is clear she is compassionate towards them and feels it is her duty to protect them.
Maggie Smith As Minerva McGonagall
Maggie Smith now
Maggie Smith’s career spans 6 decades! Wow! She is definitely one of the most recognizable British actresses. Aside from acting, she is a very charitable person. She has donated time and money to many efforts including disaster relief, glaucoma awareness and saving cats. Her most recent big role is as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
Maggie Smith Now
Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney
Sybill Telawney is a very sensitive professor who premiered in The Prisoner of Azkaban film. The character was critical to the storyline before that. She predicted there would be a baby born who could defeat Lord Voldemort. This prediction caused Voldemort to try to kill Harry Potter!
Emma Thompson As Sybill Trelawney
Emma Thompson now
We love Emma Thompson. Her career has been amazing and it is still going strong. Her next film, King Lear, will be released this year. Her acting roles are plentiful and she has two Academy Awards under her belt. Outside of the acting world, she is an environmental and human rights activist.
Emma Thompson Now
Katie Leung as Cho Chang
Cho is a student at Hogwarts. She ends up in Ravenclaw due to her superior intelligence. She also rocks it on the Quidditch court playing the seeker. She is a very popular and well-liked student at Hogwarts. After her boyfriend dies she is determined to defeat Lord Voldemort and plays a major role in the Battle of Hogwarts. She has a short romance with Harry, but it doesn’t last.
Katie Leung As Cho Chang
Katie Leung now
This film was Katie’s first major role. She wasn’t certain she would continue acting for her career at the time of filming, but she did decide to continue. She appeared in the mini-series One Child and has small roles in some other films including The Foreigner.
Katie Leung Now
Geraldine Somerville as Lily Potter
Lily is, of course, the mother of Harry. She attended Hogwarts herself as a teenager. Her life was taken by Lorde Voldemort while she was trying to save Harry. She appears often in Harry’s flashbacks and also when Harry uses the Mirror of Erised.
Geraldine Somerville As Lily Potter
Geraldine Somerville now
Somerville has roles in a number of big-time productions including the Titanic mini-series. Before she appeared in the Harry Potter movies, she was most known for her role in Cracker where she played Detective Sergeant Jane Penhaligon.
Geraldine Somerville Now
Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
Luna Lovegood must be one of the most loved characters! She was placed in Ravenclaw while at Hogwarts. She was known for being kind, creative, and inquisitive. She definitely has an eccentric style of dress which is part of her appeal. After she graduates from Hogwarts she became a wizard naturalist and married Rolf Scamader.
Evanna Lynch As Luna Lovegood
Evanna Lynch now
The film definitely gave some fire to Evanna Lynch’s acting career. Recently she played Bess Houdini in Houdini and took a lead role in the movie My Name is Henry. Aside from acting, Evanna helps women who suffer from body image issues. She battled anorexia as a teenager.
Evanna Lynch Now
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
Then, of course, we have Ms. Hermione Granger. She is known for being the brains of most Harry Potter operations. She is best friends with Ron and Harry and has a romance with Ron in some of the later films.
Emma Watson As Hermione Granger
Emma Watson now
Emma Watson has become a huge star since Harry Potter. She is currently one of the highest paid actresses in the world. Recently she has taken lead roles in The Circle and Beauty and the Beast. Both films are great! She is well known for being a women’s rights activist and dedicated feminist.
Emma Watson Now
Julie Walters as Molly Weasley
Molly is the mother of the Weasley clan. It must be difficult to look after 7 children but Molly does it! She is known for being a great mother, incredibly kind, and also making sure her children are protecting.
Julie Walters As Molly Weasley
Julie Walters now
Julie Walters is one of the most beloved British actresses. Some of her more recent work includes roles in Mary Poppins Returns and in the new Mama Mia! In her career, she has appeared in over 35 movies. Not bad, Julie! Outside of acting, she loves to tend to her organic garden.
Julie Walters Now
Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange
Bellatrix is a terrifying death eater. She is one of the scariest members of Voldemort’s clan. She was locked away for torturing Neville Longbottom’s parents. She escapes from jail and tries to kill any member of the secret Order of the Phoenix. She is responsible for killing Dooby.
Helena Bonham Carter As Bellatrix Lestrange
Helena Bonham Carter now
Helena Bonham Carter has had an amazing career. She was often cast in her ex-boyfriend of over 13 years movies. Her ex is Tim Burton. She had a role in Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland, and Dark Shadows. While they split in 2015, her career is still going strong and she has many films that are set to be released this year.
Helena Bonham Carter Now
Pam Ferris as Marge Dursley
Marge Dursley has an epic scene when she floats out of the house in a Marge-balloon. Once she speaks badly about Harry’s parents, she becomes enemies with her brother Vernon. They end up hating each other. She treated Harry very poorly, and some fans think she got what she deserved.
Pam Ferris As Marge Dursley
Pam Ferris Now
Pam Ferris had a very memorable role as the evil Miss Trunchbull in the movie Matilda. This gave her some practice before she appeared as the cruel Aunt Marge in the Harry Potter films. Her next role will be to play Queen Victoria in Holmes and Watson. It will be released in 2018.
Pam Ferris Now
Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Granger
Hermione Granger’s mother is a Muggle who is known for being accepting of the fact her daughter is a witch. Hermoine was often made fun of in school for having muggle parents. Sadly in the last film, Hermoine had to erase all the memories of her parents in order to protect them from the death eaters. She was later able to restore her memories.
Michelle Fairley As Mrs. Granger
Michelle Fairley now
Michelle Fairley is well known for her role of Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones. Her other work includes appearances on the TV series Suits, and 24: Live Another Day. She also currently acts in the Royal Court Theatre.
Michelle Fairley Now
Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley
Petunia was Lily’s sister who took care of Harry. Petunia did not want to be involved with magic and often made Harry uncomfortable. She just wanted a normal family and a normal household!
Fiona Shaw As Petunia Dursley
Fiona Shaw now
Fiona has an amazing career! She is keeping in the fantasy/paranormal realm with her work. She has played roles in True Blood and Dorian Grey. We think she is so talented!
Fiona Shaw Now
Clémence Poésy as Fleur Delacour
Fleur makes her first appearance in The Goblet of Fire. She is so beautiful all the boys give her attention. She ultimately decides for Bill Weasley. While she can be a little rough around she edges, she definitely has a caring side. She loves Bill despite his facial scars and helps many that sustained wounds during the war. She isn’t so bad!
Clémence Poésy As Fleur Delacour
Clémence Poésy now
Native to France, Clémence knew from a young age she wanted to be an actress. She found work in French and German productions and eventually made her way to America. Her most notable work apart from Harry Potter is as Rana in 127 Hours and as Eva Coupeau in Gossip Girl.
Clémence Poésy Now
Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter
Rita Skeeter is a journalist who was known for bending the truth a little. She worked for The Daily Prophet. Sure, she sometimes reported fake news but she was so popular in the wizard world! She got all the juicy gossip after all.
Miranda Richardson As Rita Skeeter
Miranda Richardson now
Miranda has so many amazing roles under her belt. She got a lot of attention for her great work in The Lost Prince, Merlin, The Crying Game and The Hours. She has won many awards over the years. Good for you, Miranda!
Miranda Richardson Now
Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy
Narcissa is the youngest sister of Bellatrix Lestrange. Her husband, Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater and she stands by him. Her son, of course, is Draco. Narcissa believes that wizarding blood should be kept pure and is willing to do anything to achieve that. She is very dedicated to Lord Voldemort.
Helen McCrory As Narcissa Malfoy
Helen McCrory now
Initially, Helen had been cast as Bellatrix, but her pregnancy meant she had to pull out; they recast the actress to play Narcissa two years later. Like many other actresses from the franchise, Helen has expanded her roles to include appearances on stage but has still managed to dominate the movie and TV world, too. The actress has appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall, as well as The Woman in Black: Angel of Death. When not acting, Helen puts a lot of her time towards helping children’s charities.
Helen McCrory Now
Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle
Moaning Myrtle was a Hogwarts student in the 40s. She was trapped haunting the girls’ bathroom on the first floor, and also played an important role in discovering the Chamber of Secrets.
Shirley Henderson As Moaning Myrtle
Shirley Henderson now
She first pursued a career in music but then deciding to concentrate on acting. Her big break was in 2002 in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. She has played roles in T2 Trainspotting, Treasure Island, and Wild Child.
Shirley Henderson Now
Sophie Thompson as Mafalda Hopkirk- Then
Malfada worked at the Ministry of Magic. Her job was in the Improper Use of Magic office where she sent letters to suspects. She especially targeted underage wizards. Hermoine took one of her hairs in order to create a potion which allowed her to get into the Ministry of Magic.
Sophie Thompson As Mafalda Hopkirk Then
Sophie Thompson – Now
Sophie Thompson seems to be getting more and more popular! Recently she has played roles in Jericho, Bounty Hunters and Eat Pray Love. She is married to Richard Lumsden and together they have two children.
Sophie Thompson – Now
Nina Young as The Grey Lady – Then
The Grey Lady haunts the Hogwarts castle. She has been doing this for over 1,000 years! Her identity was revealed which shocked us all! She is Helena Ravenclaw, the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw. She stole her mother’s wisdom before she fleed to Albania.
Nina Young As The Grey Lady – Then
Nina Young – Now
Native to Austrailia, Nina Young has appeared in Clash of The Titans, The Magnificent Eleven, and James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies. Her most recent work is in the TV show Berlin Station.
Nina Young – Now
Zoe Wanamaker as Madam Hooch – Then
Madam Hooch is the broom flying instructor for Quidditch. She had a very embarrassing moment when her broom got hit by an anti-aircraft fire before World War 1.
Zoe Wanamaker As Madam Hooch – Then
Zoe Wanamaker – Now
Zoe Wanamaker was born in the USA and then moved with her family to the UK when she was just three years old. She has been acting for decades and most recently appeared in Britannia. We think she is very talented!
Zoe Wanamaker – Now
Afshan Azad as Padma Patil
Padma Patil is a witch with an identical sister, Parvati. The two get separated and Padma goes into the house of Ravenclaw. Ron asked her to be his date to the Yule Ball, but it didn’t quite work out.
Afshan Azad As Padma Patil
Afshan Azad – Now
Afshan is a Bangladeshi-British actress. She had some family controversy when her brother and father attacked her for dating a non-Muslim. The case went to trial and she asked the court to drop the charges.
Afshan Azad – Now
Frances de la Tour as Madame Olympe Maxime – Then
Madame Olympe Maxime is the headmistress of the French version of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons. She is a half-giant just like Hagrid!
Frances De La Tour As Madame Olympe Maxime – Then
Frances de la Tour – Now
Frances de La Tour was actually born in the UK. She is a descendant of the Delaval family of aristocrats. Her career is blowing up and she has taken roles in Hugo, The Lady in the Van and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Frances De La Tour – Now
Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley
Yes, she started out as Ron’s younger sister, but as the years went on, she grew and romance sparked between her and Harry. We first saw Ginny in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001). Actress Bonnie Wright only auditioned for the movie because her older brother said she reminded him of Ginny. Whether you’re team Harry and Hermoine or Harry and Ginny, you have to admit this actress played the perfect Ginny!
Bonnie Wright As Ginny Weasley
Bonnie Wright Now
Nowadays, this accomplished woman isn’t just an actress. Wright started her own production company called Bon Bon Lumiere. She’s continued acting on screen and even on stage when she made her theater debut for Peter Ustinov’s The Moment of Truth. Anyway, she also announced plans for a new directorial project based on a story by A. S. Byatt. We eagerly await her new work in addition to the film A Christmas Carol (2018)!
Bonnie Wright Now
Julianne Hough as Hogwarts Schoolgirl
Surprised? Yes, Julianna Hough was a Hogwarts schoolgirl in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone back in 2001! Fun fact, her brother and fellow Dancing with the Stars dancer Mark Ballas also played extras in the movie. Julianne was in Gryfindor, if you were wondering.
Julianne Hough As Hogwarts Schoolgirl
Julianne Hough Now
Professional dancer Julianna Hough is best known for her work on Dancing with the Stars. Her brother Derek is a six time winner on the show. Anyway, people are celebrating Julianne recently for her role as Sandy in Fox’s live production of Grease. She’s been married to NHL player Brooks Laich since 2017.
Julianne Hough Now
Miriam Margolyes as Professor Sprout
She ultimately survived the War. By 2014, Neville Longbottom taught Herbology, either alongside her or as a replacement.
Ah, yes, Pomona Sprout or Professor Sprout! She was the Head of Hufflepuff and also the Herbology department. So heartwarming to know Neville followed in her footsteps. Miriam Margolyes played Professor Sprout in the movies.
Miriam Margolyes As Professor Sprout
Miriam Margolyes Now
Since Miriam Margolyes splits her time between Australia and England, she’s starred in productions in both places. Did you know she voiced Mrs. Plithiver, that blind snake from Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole? She’s also known for her recent appearances in The Real Marigold Hotel and its series reprisals. In January of 2018, Margoyles hosted a three-part BBC series called Miriam’s Big American Adventure. She’s been with her partner Heather Sutherland since 1967.
Miriam Margolyes
Gemma Jones as Madam Pomfrey
We all remember Madam Pomfrey who encouraged everyone under her care to rest. Yes, she also fought in the Battle of Hogwarts and even dispatched at least one Death Eater while dueling. The lovely Gemma Jones played Pomfrey in the films.
Gemma Jones As Madam Pomfrey
Gemma Jones Now
After playing Pomfrey in the Harry Potter films, Jones continued to have a flourishing career. She played Connie James for the drama show Spooks. Maybe you saw her in Woody Allen’s You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger or in the BBC show Merlin as Cailleach. Jones’ career is far from over!
Gemma Jones Now
Sally Mortemore as Madam Irma Pince
Who could forget this neurotic librarian, Madam Irma Pince? Not only did she have a million rules for the library but she also put jinxes and hexes on the books to protect them. Actress Sally Mortemore played Pince.
Sally Mortemore As Madam Irma Pince
Sally Mortemore Now
Since her role as Madam Irma Pince, she’s continued to act, mostly in shorts. You can see Mortemore in Salt Grain, A Cake for Mabel and My Imaginary Life. She voiced the librarian once again for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, the video game. Oh and she got to play a Braavosi woman on a season six episode of Game of Thrones.
Sally Mortemore Now
Genevieve Gaunt as Pansy Parkinson
Genevieve Gaunt was one of the actresses who portrayed Pansy Parkinson. Gaunt acted in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This Slytherin House member was close with Draco, although J.K. Rowling has said she never intended for Pansy to marry Draco because she hated Pansy. Rowling said, “I loathe Pansy Parkinson. I don’t love Draco but I really dislike her. She’s every girl who ever teased me at school. She’s the Anti-Hermione. I loathe her.”
Genevieve Gaunt As Pansy Parkinson
Genevieve Gaunt Now
Since her days as a young Pansy Parkinson, she’s kept up with her acting career. Many know Gaunt as Willow from The Royals. Recently, she played Hermione in The Last Dragonslayer and Miss Teignmouth in The Mercy (2018).
Genevieve Gaunt Now
Julie Christie as Madame Rosmerta
Remember the attractive landlady of the Three Broomsticks? Yes, that was Rosmerta. Sadly, Draco used the Imperius Curse on her to help him bring in cursed items to Hogwarts. Julie Christie played Madame Rosmerta.
Julie Christie As Madame Rosmerta
Julie Christie Now
Even today this award winning actress continues to earn praise. She was a “sexy, bohemian” grandmother in Catherine Hardwicke’s Red Riding Hood (2011). She also acted in the thriller The Company You Keep in 2012 alongside Sam Elliott and Robert Redford. Christie is married to Duncan Campbell, a journalist for The Guardian.
Julie Christie Now
Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil
Beginning with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chowdhury took on the role of Parvati Patil for four of the movies. She’s still friends with Afshan Azad, who played her twin Padma Patil. Anyway, Parvati was the twin who was in Gryffindor and went with Harry to the Yule Ball. She also joined Dumbledore’s Army later.
Shefali Chowdhury As Parvati Patil
Shefali Chowdhury Now
Maybe you saw Shefali Chowdhury in Heist: Jane or I Am the Doorway as Frieda. Be on the lookout for her recent short called Odilo Fabian or The Possibility of Impossible Dreams. Did you know she’s still close with Bonnie Wright, the actress who played Ginny?
Shefali Chowdhury Now
Tiana Benjamin as Angelina Johnson
Remember Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor student, member of Dumbledore’s Army and later captain of the Quidditch team? Well, Tiana Benjamin played her in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. Sadly, her character’s plot line with Quidditch was written out of Order of the Phoenix. In the Harry Potter world post-Second Wizarding War, Angelina married George Weasley and had two kids, Fred II and Roxanne.
Tiana Benjamin As Angelina Johnson
Tiana Benjamin Now
Maybe you knew Tiana from her role on EastEnders as Chelsea. However, she’s also known for starring in the British drama Fast Girls. She played Bailey Wharton’s mother Alison in The Dumping Ground (2016). She’s also got many projects in the works.
Tiana Benjamin Now
Elizabeth Spriggs as Fat Lady
What was a more signature part of Hogwarts than the portrait of the Fat Lady who guarded the Gryffindor Tower? As soon as someone said the password, she would swing the portrait back and let them enter. However, she tended to get drunk often. Also she hated being disturbed during late hours. Spriggs played the hilarious role in the films.
Elizabeth Spriggs As Fat Lady
Elizabeth Spriggs
Actually, Elizabeth Spriggs got nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role in Sense and Sensibility (1995), but she lost to Kate Winslet. Anyway, her role as the Fat Lady in Harry Potter was adored and celebrated as well. Sadly, her final role was in Is Anybody There? as Prudence in 2008. Unfortunately, Spriggs passed away in July 2008.
Elizabeth Spriggs