Radcliffe was just 11 when he first played Harry Potter. Children and adults quickly fell in love with the child actor, with the character’s look soon imitated by cosplayers and trick or treaters. Radcliffe is more than grateful for the fame but he’s been shaking off the stereotype by playing other roles recently.

He has given fine performances in A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Kill Your Darlings, and Horns. Radcliffe appeared on an episode of the comedy special 2 Dope Queens, and the critically acclaimed BoJack Horseman.

None of his newer films meet the magnitude of Harry Potter, but watch him in Now You See Me 2, Beast of Burden, and the 2019 animated feature Playmobil: The Movie.

Smartypants teenage witch Hermione Granger would never have let her hair down had she not met Harry and Ron. Hermione would have made a decent prime minister (maybe?) or surrounded by 29 feral and enchanted cats, writing complaint letters to Hoarders.

But the girl with the big-brains and big-heart learned to bend and break the rules, eventually standing with her friends to fight Voldemort’s evil and learn about family, love, and sacrifice along the way.

Watson blossomed from a cute little girl to a stunningly popular and in-demand actress. She’s a smarty pants in real life, going to both Brown and Oxford University between Potter films.

Watson appeared in non-Potter films , The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Ballet Shoes, and The Bling Ring, all while being a fashion consultant and advocate for gender equality. She serves as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

Watson was cast as Meg March in Little Women. As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, she used her platform to launch HeForShe, a global movement dedicated to gender equality.

The Potter-verse’s favorite ginger and the sixth of seven children from a ramshackle, yet warm home. Ron has a hand-me-down rat when he met Harry and Hermione.

He is no Samwise Gamgee, pushing back when he needs to. Ron Weasley would probably have gotten a boring job with the Ministry of Magic, like his dad, had it not been for getting caught up with Harry and the crew.

Grint is the oldest of five. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was his first acting job, and since then has gone on with roles in Into the White, Charlie Countryman, and CBGB. Like Radcliffe, he tried to change his image by appearing in Cherrybomb, where he did some adult acting.

Grint starred in several television series in 2017, playing Daniel Glass in Sick Note, then the character of Charlie Cavendish in Snatch. He even appeared as Julian Pearce in 2019’s Apple TV series Servant.

In April 2020, Grint and long-term girlfriend Georgia Groome shared that they were expecting their first child. A baby girl was born May 7, 2020, but Grint waited until November 2020 to share the baby’s name and a photo, making it his first Instagram post.

Grint wrote, “Hey Instagram… only 10 years late, but here I am. Grint on the Gram! Here to introduce you all to Wednesday G. Grint. Stay safe, Rupert”.

Snape is a vivid and hotly-debated character since at times, he seemed to be protecting Harry, but then there was that scene at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that had fans screaming.

Snape fascinated everyone with his sneering and yet emotional moments, plus his obsession for Harry’s mum. He did do the right thing in the end, causing fans and viewers to choke up and raise their wands for the beloved Hogwarts professor.

Rickman’s distinctive voice and experience made him the master of this multi-layered role. The character of Snape is complicated, infinitely interesting, and always a reason for debates. Rickman was an accomplished actor, taking part in Shakespeare to Tim Burton directed films such as Sweeny Todd and Alice in Wonderland.

Hans Gruber in the original Die Hard is still a benchmark for aspiring villainous actors everywhere.

Rickman sadly passed from pancreatic cancer in 2016, but his voice and iconic characters lives on in film and in viewers’ hearts. Wands up.

One of the more memorable supporting Potter characters, Neville evolved from a bumbling, awkward kid to a real hero. Overlooked by Voldemort and underestimated by everyone, Longbottom stayed true to his friends, remaining silent until he picked up the sword and took out the dark lord’s huge snake.

That awkward kid in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is all grown up. Lewis appeared on TV’s The Syndicate, Bluestone 42, and The Brontes.

In May 2015, he appeared on the cover of Attitude magazine with a shoot so steamy, it prompted a response from J.K. Rowling herself who tweeted, “@Mattdavelewis Not as bad as watching Dan in Equus, but close. Warn me next time, for God’s sake.”

Lewis had roles in the TV series Ripper Street, and Drunk History, as well as the romantic drama, Me Before You, proving to the world that he’s not a cute kid anymore.

Hagrid is Harry’s loyal, lovable, mountainous friend and protector. The Hogwarts gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds immediately warmed the hearts of viewers when he first appeared on screen.

He is a half-giant, half-human, who loves dragons and other beasties which he keeps for pets. Hagrid messed with the Dursleys, Harry’s bigoted and reluctant adoptive relatives, when he delivered Harry’s cake.

Before the role of Hagrid, Coltrane was the popular Dr. Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald, the eccentric forensic psychologist on Cracker. He was also in From Hell with Johnny Depp, providing his talents to films and TV shows as an actor and voice actor through the years.

After Harry Potter, he voiced the Gruffalo in The Gruffalo’s Child and Lord Dingwall in Brave. Coltrane then appeared in Great Expectations and Effie Gray.

In 2019, Universal Studios launched the Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ride where he agreed to appear in the pre-show. Coltrane arrived in a wheelchair as a result of osteoarthritis.

He passed away on October 14, 2022, caused by multiple organ failure. It won’t be the same without Hagrid.

The sharp, smart and brave professor, McGonagall was the original rule-follower who knew how to wear a hat properly. She may run a tight ship but Minerva stood strong when Hogwarts came under attack. That crisp accent and stern gaze always had McGonagall making a quick joke before she whips out her magic.

For a lady of her age, this witch can still kick Death Eater butt with ease.

Dame Maggie Smith took the stage in 1952. She is, today, the wisecracking dowager on Downton Abbey.

The accomplished actress has won two Oscars (Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Best Supporting Actress for California Suite), four Best Actress BAFTA Awards (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, A Private Function, A Room with a View, and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne), and one Best Supporting Actress BAFTA for Tea with Mussolini.

Smith continued to thrill fans in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Motel, The Best Exotic Marigold Motel, Gosford Park, and Sherlock Gnomes. She even appeared in the 2020 film, A Boy Called Christmas.

In 2019, at the age of 84, she returned to the stage for A German Life, which was a one-woman play about the life of Brunhilde Pomse. This was Smith’s first theater performance in 12 years.

Bellatrix, though deranged and surely terrifying, was loved by viewers, until she did Dobby wrong. Demented, clever, and goth-fashion forward, Lestrange is Voldemort’s loyal soldier, and she seems to be able to get away with more as compared to her fellow fanatics.

Lestrange would not hesitate to rise up and start her own army if given the chance. Too bad she messed with an angry Molly Weasley.

Bonham-Carter is a British and American gem, with over 80 film credits. She’s a Tim Burton film mainstay appearing in The Lone Ranger, Great Expectations, Les Misérables, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

She left a huge impression with viewers in Fight Club. Bellatrix does have shades of Marla Singer if you watch closely.

In 2018, she voiced Madame Mirela in the video game, Black Ops 4: Dead of the Night, then appeared in Ocean’s Eight. Helena played Princess Margaret in the TV series, The Crown, and as Mrs. Holmes in the 2020 film Enola Holmes.

Harry was beyond delighted learning about a godfather when Padfoot showed up. Black gave Harry his protection and guidance. Not even Azkaban could dampen Black’s affection for Harry.

Sirius Black was one of Lord Voldemort’s AND the Ministry of Magic’s most wanted. He risked it all to defend his godson, even giving his life in battle.

Oldman is one of the industry’s best. He played Sid Vicious, Rosencrantz, Dracula, Lee Harvey Oswald, Drexl Spivey, Ludwig van Beethoven, Albert Milo, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, and Sirius Black.

Oldman has played so many characters so depending on your age and taste in genres, you’ve surely got a favorite one.

The veteran actor has appeared in The Dark Knight Rises, RoboCop, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, bereft of any get-up.

In 2018, Oldman won the Oscar for Best Actor as Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Darkest hour. In July 2019, David Fincher signed up to direct a Netflix biopic about Herman Mankiewicz with Oldman cast as the lead.

Often teased and mocked by her schoolmates, Luna is odd yet smart, and definitely intuitive. She lit the way for Harry when he needed to find clues and unlock mysteries. She does march to the beat of her own drum, which might be made out of flying radishes.

Lynch and J.K. Rowling were actually pen pals. She wrote to Rowling about her anorexia with the author encouraging the young Irish girl on her road to recovery. Years later, Lynch auditioned for the role of Luna against 15,000 other girls. She was “perfect” to play the character, according to Rowling.

After the Potter films, Lynch took on roles in Sinbad, G.B.F., It Don’t Come Easy, and My Name is Emily.

In 2015, she voiced Luna Lovegood this time in the Lego Dimensions video game. Lynch also played Abbie Fox in the film Madness in the Method.

The best headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Dumbledore became one of the most popular characters. Similar to Gandalf from The Hobbit, Dumbledore had his secrets and plays his cards when he needs to. The half-blood wizard helped Harry & Co. unlock the mysteries of and defeat Voldemort, breaking our hearts eventually but proving himself a hero.

Richard Harris passed away in 2002, just two weeks before the American premiere of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, so Michael Gambon stepped in for the remaining six films. He had big shoes to fill, but Gambon was up to the task and soon found himself a fan favorite just as Harris was.

He has over 140 acting credits under his belt as a versatile comedy and drama actor, appearing in Sleepy Hollow, Gosford Park, and on the TV series Fortitude.

The twins love pranks and foul-tasting confections, becoming popular Hogwarts students, Beaters for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, members of Dumbledore’s Army and the Order of the Phoenix.

They soon established a successful business with their Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. It was Fred’s ultimate sacrifice that broke Potter fans’ and his family’s hearts.

George, heartbroken over the loss of his twin, sacrificed a lot for his family and friends, most notably his ear.

James Phelps’s career has been dedicated to the Potter franchise.He has also appeared in Silent Witness, Ward 3, and Own Worst Enemy.

He is older than his twin James by 13 minutes, and Oliver’s career has also been mainly connected to the Potter series. He soon had the time and money to explore other projects so he also appeared in Own Worst Enemy in 2015.

Tom Marvolo Riddle’s dark magic had him reborn and ready to attack with his Death Eaters and a huge snake named Nagini. Voldemort set out to fulfill the prophecy and finally destroy Harry Potter, the boy who lived.

Fiennes built a career on playing exacting characters. He embodies Voldemort so much that his name has become synonymous with the dark lord. His first villain role was Nazi Amon Goeth in Schindler’s List which was truly chilling, and his mob boss Harry from In Bruges, a diabolically hilarious bit of acting.

The Oscar-nominated and BAFTA winning actor has starred in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Skyfall, and Two Women.

Fans thought Harry was going to end up with Cho Chang or perhaps even Hermione. But Ginny Weasley was the one for Harry. She’s not just another pretty face, being an accomplished witch who stood her own against dark wizards.

Wright is a natural redhead. Auditioning for Ginny was her brother’s idea who said she reminded him of the character. The talented Wright has enjoyed a blossoming career since. She appeared in The Sea, After the Dark, and Before I Sleep.

Draco certainly gets it from his father Lucius. He’s always trying to foil Harry and his friends, while he surrounds himself with thick-headed cronies. Realizing what it takes to become a pure-blood Death Eater has him stammering and backpedalling though.

It takes seven books and eight movies to see that there is some good in the sneering kid who gave everyone else trouble.

Felton played a great Draco, and when the films were over, he found himself in Rise of the Planet of the Apes then quickly went on to appear in The Apparition, Murder in the First, and Against the Sun. Felton was able to cast off his Draco persona with ease.

Lupin is everyone’s favorite lycanthrope who once joined forces with Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew. As professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lupin taught his students valuable and useful lessons they could use in the wizarding world.

Lupin and his lady friend, Nymphadora Tonks, fought gallantly against Voldemort and his evil goons but paid the ultimate price for their sacrifice.

Thewlis is a seasoned actor with a long and storied career outside of the Potter-verse. He has appeared in War Horse, The Zero Theorem, The Fifth Estate, The Theory of Everything, and Macbeth.

One of his more recent works is starring in Enola Holmes 2.

Always in pink, Umbridge nearly beat Voldemort as villain. She’s armed with self-righteousness and arrogance, and Umbridge’s destructiveness does run neck and neck with the Dark Lord’s.

Umbridge believes rules are for other people and will dish out punishment faster than a spell cast. This tea-drinking, cat-loving fascist in tweed is a Potter villain fans love to hate.

Staunton herself is a very talented and accomplished actress, playing roles such as Mrs. Mead on Little Britain, Miss Octavia Pole on Cranford, Maud Hill in The Awakening, Mrs. Blatherwick in Nanny McPhee, and Knotgrass in Maleficent.

Staunton’s comic timing is as perfect as her amazing drama work. No wonder she embodied Umbridge with terrifying precision. Watch her as Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown.

Professor Moody was deeply invested in teaching Harry, Hermione, Ron, and friends how to fight Voldemort and his cronies during Defense Against The Dark Arts.

Moody isn’t exactly complete up there, almost like a drill sergeant talking about the reality of war. Moody is the old soldier people respect and love, especially because of that “mad eye”.

Dublin-born Gleeson has had memorable roles from In Bruges, Gangs of New York, Troy, and Edge of Tomorrow.

Gleeson knows what makes a character tick, so he adds the right touches for our entertainment. His Father James in Calvary is a good example.

He did enjoy his time on Potter with fellow, seasoned actors, being exposed to a whole new fan base, so Gleeson knew his performance had to be perfect.

There was so much going on in the films that Tonks didn’t get as much screen time as compared to her character in the books. Those who only watched the films won’t understand how deep the character of Nymphadora was.

Nymphadora put the punk rock in the Potter world, serving Voldemort and his Death Eaters a steaming hot plate of Doc Martens with some attitude.

Fans of Tena know her as Ellie in About a Boy. Game of Thrones fans know her as Osha. She’s also had roles in the U.K.’s Shameless, Black Mirror, The Refugees, and Residue.

The veteran Potions Master returned to Hogwarts thanks to Dumbledore. Slughorn helped Harry prepare for battle against Dementors, Death Eaters, and even Voldemort.

He was inspired in part by a raise, a bigger office, and a chance to recruit Potter into his exclusive Slug Club, which the headmaster knew.

It was Slughorn who did what he could to himself in order to forget how he played into a young Tom Riddle’s plans to be immortal.

Broadbent was impressive in Moulin Rouge!, Gangs of New York, and Hot Fuzz even before he wore the robes of Slughorn.

He appeared in Cloud Atlas, Filth, and The Iron Lady after his role in Potter. Broadbent always gives an exceptional performance in his projects, as Harry Potter fans found out.