Harry Potter both made household names and revitalized careers for its main stars. However, some of the supporting Harry Potter cast members flew more under the radar. Here are 10 actors from the series that you may have forgotten about.
Although boy wizard Harry Potter is not in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, some older characters are. Could Robbie Coltrane’s Rubeus Hagrid be appearing in the prequel series?
Adapting JK Rowling’s 7-part Harry Potter series of novels would have been an arduous task for any filmmaker. A film is much more confined with time than a novel. Fans have had to go without classic Harry Potter characters and scenes. This also includes moments that took place in the books, now somewhat non-existent in the movie canon.
Particularly affected were the characters. Each of Rowling’s Harry Potter characters were unique and many had their own sub-storylines, away from Harry in the main plot. Unfortunately, films can only focus on one clear protagonist, that of course being Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe).
Listed below are 10 characters who got the short end of the stick. They were either not featured as much as shown in the books and in some cases, not certain films at all.
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On May 2 in fictional history, a major event occurred in the Harry Potter universe. As of writing in 2020, it has been twenty-two years.
This was the Battle of Hogwarts, which served as both the culmination to Harry’s omnipresent battle against Lord Voldemort as well as the finale to the series as a whole.
In this battle, a great number of witches and wizards on both sides lost their lives.
While it would be impossible without JK Rowling’s help to name all of them, there were a few who had a big role in Harry Potter.
Raise your wands for those lost.
Colin Creevey
Sixth year Colin Creevey, a muggle-born Gryffindor, was one of many fatalities in the Battle of Hogwarts.
One year below Harry Potter, Colin joined Dumbledore’s Army in his fourth year and became a loyal member, sneaking back to battle after previously being turned away because of his age.
Colin’s body was later recovered by Neville Longbottom and Oliver Wood. His killer remains unidentified.
Lavender Brown
Lavender, a seventh-year Gryffindor and classmate to Harry Potter, was mauled by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback during the Battle of Hogwarts.
An ex-girlfriend of Ron Weasley, she shared a dormitory with his future wife Hermione Granger for the six years that the latter attended Hogwarts.
Her best friend was Parvati Patil and favourite teacher was Sybill Trelawney, both of whom survived.
Crabbe/Goyle
Depending on whether you read the Deathly Hallows book or watched Deathly Hallows Part 2, your knowledge of this slot may differ.
While Crabbe died in the book, it was Goyle who perished in the 2011 final film in the eight-part series.
Although neither were very bright and tried to kill the main characters, both were part of the stories since Philosopher’s Stone, the very beginning.
Either way, Draco Malfoy lost one of his longtime henchmen.
Nagini
Known to many as Lord Voldemort’s loyal pet snake. However, Nagini was once a human woman with an affliction (Maledictus) that cursed her to transform into a snake.
Considering she appeared in Crimes Of Grindelwald which takes place in 1927 and the fact that the Battle of Hogwarts is set in 1998, Nagini lives for more than seven decades after the events of the prequel series.
Her long and tortured life came to an end when Neville Longbottom, in his act of heroic glory, slayed Nagini as she was a Horcrux.
Nymphadora Tonks
Wife to Remus John Lupin and mother to newborn Teddy Lupin, Auror Nymphadora Tonks met her end in the Battle of Hogwarts at the hands of her own aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Due to both her profession and membership in the Order of the Phoenix, Tonks was no stranger to putting her life on the line for an honourable cause.
It is a shame that despite Tonks’ heroic actions, her son will grow up without a mother.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Deranged Death Eater, fanatical follower of Lord Voldemort and murderer of beloved characters (Sirius Black, Dobby, Tonks), Bellatrix Lestrange’s reign of terror came to an eventful close during the Battle of Hogwarts.
In what can be seen as an unlikely defeat, Bellatrix was bested in battle by Molly Weasley, who showed she was much more than just a housewife and mother.
With her death, the countless people whom she killed as well as those whose lives were ruined by her actions, now have justice.
Fred Weasley
Inseparable from his twin brother George. Fred Weasley, at twenty years of age, fought and died in the Battle of Hogwarts. His other siblings are Bill, Charlie, Percy (with whom he’d reconciled with during the Battle), Ron and Ginny.
Fred was also the future brother-in-law to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger through their marriages to his siblings, though he did not live to see this.
As one of the main sources of comic reliefs in Harry Potter, breaking up the twins permanently was one of the most devastating losses in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Remus Lupin
Werewolf. Marauder. Husband. Father. Former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Remus Lupin was all of these things and more.
A close friend/mentor to Harry Potter, Remus fought alongside his late friends’ son on multiple occasions including at the Department of Mysteries.
Remus’ death sadly leaves Edward ‘Teddy’ Lupin an orphan. However, the boy has Harry Potter watching over him, so he will probably be fine.
Lord Voldemort
Not only did Lord Voldemort die in the Battle of Hogwarts – the last remnants of Tom Marvolo Riddle were destroyed alongside him.
For the previous seventeen years, he had been facing downfall after downfall at the hands of a powerful young man, Harry Potter.
In the end, his quest to kill The Boy Who Lived ultimately failed, with Voldemort’s long life filled with evil came to a dramatic end.
Severus Snape
Perhaps the most complicated character in the entire Harry Potter series, Snape was murdered by Lord Voldemort for control of the Elder Wand, before the final battle between the Dark Lord and Harry Potter.
As revealed in Deathly Hallows, Snape had a long, passionate love for Lily Evans, Harry Potter’s mother, which he retained even in his dying moments.
While Snape was no saint – he was also not as evil or heartless as you may have once believed him to be. He loved someone who didn’t (or couldn’t) love him back.
Of course, we lost Alan Rickman, the actor who played Snape in all eight films, to cancer in 2016. Rest in peace to Rickman most importantly, as the only real person on this list.
Along with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, Hermione Jean Granger is one of three main characters in the Harry Potter series.
She was played by Emma Watson in all eight films, growing from an 11-year-old Muggle-born first year to a young woman and powerful witch.
Hermione is the favourite character of both author JK Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted seven of the movies.
One of Hermione’s most defining traits is her intelligence. From very early on, it is clear that she excels when compared to her classmates by quite a mile.
In fact, this intelligence almost led to her being Sorted into Ravenclaw, the Hogwarts House which values this quality.
When she was younger, this intelligence came across as being stuck-up or bossy, which often rubbed people the wrong way. Thus, Hermione found it difficult to make friends.
Although introduced almost immediately after Harry boards the Hogwarts Express for the first time, she enters his life as a friend much later compared to Ron.
As ardent Potter fans will remember, the two boys befriended Hermione after they survived a troll attack together.
From then on, Hermione’s intelligence became a great asset to the group. Whether it was something small to helping with homework… to much later, when it was a matter of life or death.
Although petrified into unconsciousness at the time, it is Hermione’s research that helps Harry figure out that a Basilisk was roaming Hogwarts’ pipes during Chamber of Secrets.
In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione’s time-turner helps save two innocent lives; Sirius Black, who had been wrongly imprisoned for murder over a decade earlier and the hippogriff Buckbeak, who was being unfairly sentenced to death.
In Order of the Phoenix, it was Hermione who had the idea for what later became the Dumbledore’s Army, a group that played an important role in the fall of Lord Voldemort.
Finally, in Deathly Hallows, it is clear that Harry and Ron would have struggled on the quest for Horcruxes had Hermione not been there whether it be sourcing shelter, healing splinching or getting out of dangerous situations.
While typically listed third (i.e. Harry, Ron, Hermione), Ms. Granger was ultimately an invaluable part of Harry Potter’s life, on some occasions saving him as well as being a true friend.
While many characters appeared in the Harry Potter books and films, author JK Rowling regards a selected few (and the actors that played them) in a unique way.
Of course, the three main characters are the Boy Wizard Harry Potter and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. These are undoubtedly the most familiar to fans of the series, whether readers or viewers.
That being said, several others have featured prominently alongside the trio, a point which JK Rowling herself has acknowledged.
At the London premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011, Rowling referred to seven cast members as the ‘Big 7’ of the series.
They are Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson , Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Bonnie Wright and Tom Felton.
What have the seven gotten up to since leaving the world of Potter behind?Read on to find out.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)
Immediately after leaving Hogwarts and the Boy Who Lived behind, Radcliffe followed up the eight-part series with 2012’s The Woman In Black, a horror film on which he reunited with Potter co-star Ciaran Hinds (Aberforth Dumbledore).
Other films that Radcliffe has appeared in since include Horns, Imperium, Now You See Me 2, Kill Your Darlings and Swiss Army Man.
He has also played young Dr. Vladimir Bomgard and Craig/Prince Chauncley respectively on the television series A Young Doctor’s Notebook and Miracle Workers.
Additionally, Radcliffe has also appeared on Broadway in How To Succeed Without Really Trying. He also starred in other plays such as The Cripple of Inishmaan, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Lifespan Of A Fact.
Speaking to Variety in February 2020, Radcliffe stated that he was not interested in reprising the role of Harry Potter in the Fantastic Beasts films.
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)
Grint’s post-Potter projects have encompassed film, theatre and TV. He appeared with late co-star Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) in 2013’s CBGB.
His other film projects include Into The White and Postman Pat: The Movie.
On the television front, Grint has starred in the series Sick Note, Servant and Snatch, also serving as a producer on the latter.
In 2013, Grint made his stage debut in Jez Butterworth’s Mojo.
More recently, it was announced that Grint is expecting his first child with his girlfriend Georgia Groome.
Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)
Once known as bookworm Hermione Granger in the Potter series, Emma Watson has played many other roles in the years since leaving her behind.
Most notably, she appeared as the lead in films such as Beauty and the Beast, The Bling Ring and Circle.
Watson also had co-starring roles in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Noah and Little Women.
In 2015, she appeared in British sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley, playing a character named “Reverend Iris”.
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)
Felton has also experimented with both film and TV projects since moving on from Draco Malfoy and his pure-blood beliefs.
In the same year that Deathly Hallows Part 2 was released, Felton appeared in Rise of the Planet Of The Apes as Dodge Landon.
His other feature film projects include Ophelia, Feed, Against The Sun, Megan Leavey and Risen.
Felton has also starred in US network television with starring roles as Erich Blunt on the first season of Murder In The First and as Julian Albert on season three of The Flash.
In 2018, he appeared in the YouTube Premium series Origin in the main role of Logan.
Matthew Lewis
Lewis starred alongside Timothy Spall and his real-life brother Anthony Lewis in BBC drama The Syndicate. Also for BBC, he appeared in Bluestone 42.
In 2016, Lewis starred in the series Ripper Street as DS Samuel Drummond.
Other TV roles include a guest stint in Death In Paradise and a main role on Girlfriends in 2017.
Lewis married his girlfriend Angela Jones in 2018.
Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)
Since walking-off camera after Harry Potter, Wright has opted to stay behind it by pursuing directing. Between 2012 and 2019, she has directed various short films and music videos.
Wright has also acted in films such as After the Dark, Before I Sleep and Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg?
In 2012, Wright graduated from the London College of Communication with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television Production.
Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
Like her former co-stars, Lynch also continued acting after Harry Potter came to an end.
She had a cameo appearance in 2019’s Madness In The Method while also starring in GBF, My Name Is Emily and the BBC television film, Danny and the Human Zoo.
In 2018, Lynch participated in Dancing With The Stars, being partnered with Keo Motsepe and finishing third in the competition.
Since November 2017, Lynch has also had a podcast called TheChickPeeps, which is co-hosted by Potter co-star Robbie Jarvis (who played young James Potter).
It’s not news to anyone that as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, we all have more time on our hands. Some may choose to use the time productively: learn a skill or language, read more books… write a blog, you get the gist.
Another example of an activity to pass the time (translation: kill the boredom) is to catch up on all those wonderful television shows and films that your friends and family recommended that you promised to get around to, but never did… until now. Or maybe you just want to revisit old favourites.
The examples below are things that I have seen and enjoyed, including examples that I introduced to my family for the first time.
See what takes your fancy!
ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC; 2011-2018)
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Robert Carlyle
Once Upon A Time is a fairy tale/fantasy based series that aired from 2011 to 2018. The basic premise is that classic characters you know and love – Snow White, Prince Charming, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella to name just a few – have all been ripped away from their happy existence in the Enchanted Forest and taken by the Evil Queen to a town in Maine named Storybrooke, where none of them remember their true identities.
This remains the case for twenty-eight years.
Their only hope of rescue is a bailbonds person from Boston named Emma Swan, who unbeknownst to her, is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. She was sent to our Real World with the hope that one day she would discover who she truly is and break the curse that robbed her parents and their friends of their lives and memories.
While fairy tales are traditionally associated with children, this is definitely not exclusively for them. The creators also worked on Lost, which means there are some pretty dark moments in the series. There’s family drama, action, adventure, romance and fantastical magic elements.
Expect to see these tales in a way that you never have before. None of what is on Once has been told before in the traditional stories.
Once Upon A Time, all seven seasons, can be found on Netflix.
westworld (hbo; 2016 – present)
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins
Ah, Westworld. You’re in for one hell of a ride if you haven’t watched this show yet.
Imagine an amusement park – forget Alton Towers or Chessington – think a futuristic cowboy Western setting. Lifelike, humanoid robotic attractions named Hosts were created to serve the guests’ every whim. And I mean every. Yeah, this is an 18+ show.
Explore the dynamics between the Hosts, guests and park staff, all with different wants, desires and needs.
Still, the cast (some of whom I listed above) and the writing (Jonathan Nolan; The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar) is fantastic. Twists and turns, the story takes directions you would never expect.
Another advantage is that each season (there are currently three) only has 8-10 episodes, meaning you could easily binge each one in only a few days, if not less time.
RESERVOIR DOGS (1993, DIR. QUENTIN TARANTINO)
Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Quentin Tarantino
Even if you know nothing about films, Quentin Tarantino is at least a familiar name, right? If the answer is no, let me fill you in. He’s a now-iconic director whose work includes Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight.
Before all that, however, he was an up-and-comer who needed to start from somewhere… and that was Reservoir Dogs.
The basic plot follows a group of jewel thieves, identified by colour-coded nicknames, after a heist goes wrong (we never see the heist due to budgetary constraints) and the dissension among the group as they try to work out who ‘the rat’ that informed the police was.
It’s certainly a unique film in that some of the major characters’ names are not revealed until the end. Instead, each of the men are referred to as Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. Brown, to name a few examples.
harry potter (2001-2011)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane
For a lifelong Potter fan (aka Potterhead) like myself, the idea that some people have never seen these films blows my mind. Yet, this is the case and already, new fans have been sharing the viewing experience, whether simply stating so on social media or sharing their reactions on YouTube.
Even if you haven’t seen the films, I would be surprised if you didn’t at least know the basic plot. If not, I hope you’re enjoying that rock you’re living under. Anyway, here goes nothing: In the first film, an 11-year-old orphan named Harry Potter, who lives with his cruel uncle and aunt, discovers he is actually the son of a powerful witch and wizard, as well as the fact that he is a famous wizard also.
The next seven films following this track Harry’s journey into the Wizarding World; studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, making friends for the first time, becoming familiar with magical culture and the ever-present threat of Lord Voldemort, the dark wizard who murdered Harry’s parents but failed to kill the boy, who wants to complete the task.
futurama (fox/comedy central; 1999-2003, 2008-2013)
Starring: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom, David Herman
Futurama, from the mind of Matt Groening (who also created The Simpsons and Disenchantment) ranks, in my opinion, not just among the all-time greatest cartoons but also as a high quality television show in general.
The series follows Philip J. Fry (the redhead in the above picture), a pizza delivery boy who, on New Years Eve 1999, accidentally cryogenically freezes himself, thawing out in the year 3000.
Fry, as he is commonly referred to, has to carve out a new life in a new century. He connects with his descendant Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth and gets a job working for him at his delivery company Planet Express, alongside his new friends – Leela, a cyclops and an alcoholic robot named Bender.
While a hilarious and every entertaining show, there are also moments that are genuinely heart-wrenching and emotional. If that is more your preference than comedy, I can recommend Luck Of The Fryrish (Season 3, Episode 4), Jurassic Bark (Season 5, Episode 2) and Leela’s Homeworld (Season 4, Episode 5) off the top of my head.
The voice actors are among the best in their field which, combined with great writing from over-qualified writers (who held three PHDs, seven Master’s and collectively over fifty years of Harvard education), helped make the show that beloved classic that it now is.
the flash (cw; season 1, 2014)
Starring: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Rick Cosnett, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh and Jesse L. Martin
The Flash first sped onto the small screen back in 2013, with a guest appearance on Arrow before Glee alum Grant Gustin became the lead of his own show the following year.
This series follows Barry Allen, who starts the series as a forensic investigator for the Central City Police Department. During the pilot episode, Barry is struck by dark matter-charged lightning which gives him the power of super-human speed.
Since he was eleven, Barry has been haunted by one singular event: his mother’s murder. His father was wrongly arrested and imprisoned for the crime. However, Barry saw the actual culprit – a man in red and yellow moving faster than humanly possible – and has been trying to prove the existence of such anomalies ever since.
While there are currently six seasons of The Flash, I would recommend season one if I had to pick any to watch.
Firstly, seeing as you need the beginning of a story for it to make sense, it would smart to watch this season. More importantly, I believe that season one is a perfectly told, satisfying story from beginning to end, that is very bingeable.
shrek (2001-2010, Film Series)
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, John Lithgow, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders
I suspect that these are likely films that you have seen before. However, I think watching them again could be very fun. I did this myself recently, before all the panic and really enjoyed the experience.
In particular, the first film is full of adult-oriented jokes that many innocent minded kids would not have picked up on at the time. Rather than give any away, go back and watch for yourself. See if you can find them.
Despite being an ogre, Shrek is a very relateable protagonist. His desire to be loved and accepted by others, rather than being seen as a monster, is comparable to some people’s real lives – at least on some level.
For what is marketed as a children’s, Shrek is a complex, layered (see what I did there) individual individual. The stories are strengthened even further by the strong character that surround Shrek.
Of course, there is his wife Fiona, best friends Donkey and Puss In Boots. Additionally, we have the eclectic line-up of fairy tale creatures; Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, Big Bad Wolf, Gingerbread Man and The Three Blind Mice.
family guy (fox; 1999 – present)
Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Mike Henry, Patrick Warburton
Created by and starring Seth MacFarlane (he voices Peter, Stewie, Brian and Quagmire), Family Guy has been on television screens for over twenty years. The series follows the adventures of Peter Griffin, a buffoonish blue-collar worker who lives in the fictitious town of Quahog, Rhode Island with his wife Lois, their three kids (Meg, Chris and Stewie) and their talking dog, Brian.
If there was ever a show to watch to forget some of the stressful things happening right now, I think Family Guy would be a great choice. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and the plots are usually fantastical and implausible, which allows you to be immersed in the cartoon world for the duration of an episode.
Much like Springfield on The Simpsons, this show is filled with a variety of different, quirky characters who live in Quahog alongside the central Griffin family. These include pilot/sex addict Glenn Quagmire, paraplegic macho police officer Joe Swanson, African-American deli owner Cleveland Brown, eccentric Mayor Adam West (played by the late actor Adam West) and drug store owner Mort Goldman, who is a caricature of Jewish stereotypes.
love simon (2018, dir. greg berlanti)
Starring: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr, Tony Hale
Released in 2018, Love, Simon is an unconventional Hollywood romantic comedy film. For the very first time, there is a gay, male teenage protagonist at the centre of this story. It is based on the novel Simon vs The Homosapiens Agenda, written by Becky Albertalli.
Simon Spier comes from a relatively wealthy background, has a supportive group of friends and a nice life but has one big secret… he’s gay. He hides this from everyone he knows and loves, until one day, he opens up to someone… sort of.
You see, Simon’s school blog, “Creeksecrets”, allows people to post anonymously, without fear of being judged. After another student, calling themselves “Blue” reveals publicly that they are gay, Simon reaches out (using the pseudonym “Jacques”) and the two form a romance over email, not knowing each other’s true identities.
After Simon’s secret and relationship with Blue is threatened, he spends the rest of the film in an uncomfortable situation while also trying to discover his love interest’s true identity.
Do they get a happy ending? Guess you’ll have to watch to find out.
toy story (1995-2019)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney, R. Lee Ermey, Blake Clark, Laurie Metcalf, John Morris, Erik von Detten
With four films spanning between 1995 and 2019, the adventures of cowboy Woody, space ranger Buzz Lightyear and the rest of their toy friends truly are timeless.
The kids that originally grew up watching these movies are now adults, some may even have their own children to show these to. Now, a modern generation of kids can enjoy Toy Story for themselves.
While the main characters are toys, “a child’s plaything!”, the acting from the talented ensemble cast including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, humanises them in a way that makes the characters feel very real. It is very easy to empathise and feel an emotional connection to these toys, especially after having been in our lives for so long.
In my opinion, none of these films are “bad” but some are better than others. My sentimental favourite is Toy Story 2, with the order following as Toy Story 3, Toy Story and finally, Toy Story 4. That’s just my personal feelings, though. It’s entirely possible that you feel the exact opposite way.
Each of the film’s storylines, while vastly different, incorporate the same, familiar themes. These include acceptance, love, friendship and family – which is what many, if not all of those watching would want in their lives.
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