It’s been 20 years since we first sawHarry Potter, the powerful boy wizard with a peculiar scar, fly onto the big screen. AuthorJ.K. Rowling’s seven-book series was adapted for the screen into eight gorgeous films and starred some of Hollywood’s most gifted veteran actors, includingAlan Rickman,Maggie Smith,Ralph Fiennes,Brendan GleesonandHelena Bonham Carter, and introduced us to three stars in the making:Daniel Radcliffe,Rupert GrintandEmma Watson. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, there was also immense talent behind the camera, including directorsChris Columbus,Mike Newell,David YatesandAlfonsoCuarón.
Many key players from the films recently reunited for the franchise retrospective documentary on HBO Max aptly titledHarry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, where they discussed the characters’ evolutions and what it was like for some of them to grow up on set. So what has the cast been up to since they left the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Well, aside from proving they can grow facial hair (ahem, Radcliffe and Grint), they’ve been busy on their own Muggle paths, appearing in dozens of projects that don’t involve wands.
Pour a glass of butterbeer and grab your broomstick! (You know you have one.) Let’s take a look at what some members of the cast have been up to since Hogwarts.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)
Gifted wizard Harry Potter, also known as The Boy Who Lived, was orphaned as a baby when Lord Voldemort killed his birth parents (Lily and James Potter) in a failed attempt to kill him, leaving behind a lightning bolt scar on his forehead instead. At the age of 11, Harry learns he is a wizard and is accepted into Hogwarts, where he navigates the ups and downs of being a wizard, finds best friends in Ron and Hermione, and uses his strong morals and good conscience to avenge his parents’ death.
Radcliffe has had an impressive post-Potter career. He’s known for his work in the horror filmsThe Woman in BlackandHorns, playingAllen GinsberginKill Your Darlings, and for his multiple roles in the TBS anthology seriesMiracle Workers. He can next be seen as the delusional villain Fairfax in the upcoming comedy adventureThe Lost CitystarringSandra BullockandChanning Tatum.
Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)
Good ‘ol Ronald Weasley is Harry’s loyal (and arachnophobic) red-headed friend from the very beginning. Unlike Harry, Ron is a pure blood wizard from a large and poor family. He lives in hand-me-down clothes from his siblings, which contributes to his insecurity, and is often fending off pranks from his older twin brothers Fred and George. He’s always good for a laugh, and loves nothing more (aside from Harry and Hermione) than playing with his pet rat Scabbers, and eating more than his share of food.
Grint has starred in several television series in recent years, such asSick Note,SnatchandThe ABC Murders. He currently stars in the AppleTV+ mystery horror seriesServant, which was recently renewed for a Season 4, and is set to star inM. Night Shyamalan’s new filmKnock at the Cabin.
Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)
Looking for Hermione? Check the library. Hermione Granger is the brainy glue holding the Harry, Ron and Hermione trifecta together. Though she can get a bit carried away with correcting people and asserting her knowledge, Hermione’s an enthusiastic, smart student and a grounded individual who’s always down for an adventure. When she’s not studying a spell or buried in classwork, she helps others who don’t have a voice. She created S.P.E.W. which is a group that advocates for the better protection of house elves.The Hollywood Reportervoted her the number one female character in Hollywood history.
Since hanging up her Hogwarts robes, actress Emma Watson has divided her time between acting and activism. She’s starred inThe Perks of Being a Wallflower,Beauty and the Beast,This Is the End, and most recently as Meg March inLittle Women. A graduate of Brown University, Watson was appointed as UN WomenGoodwill Ambassadorin 2014 and continues to push for gender equality in all areas, specifically education.
Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes)
The darkest of all the lords, Voldemort is the 800-pound threat in the air for the entire series. Voldemort’s real name is Tom Riddle, a half-blood wizard who attended Hogwarts and was raised by Muggles in Wool’s Orphanage when his mother died and his father abandoned him. Hellbent on living forever, enforcing blood purity, and dominating the world, he created a staggering sixHorcruxes, each of which include a fragment of his soul and contribute to his immortality. According to prophecy, Harry Potter is his only wizard match (and potential superior), which leads Voldemort to try and kill him. He ends up killing Harry’s parents instead, and accidentally makes Harry a pseudo-crux. (Because of this, Harry actually has part of Voldy’s soul in him.) He’s considered the most vicious and dangerous wizard to ever exist.
The Oscar-nominated Ralph Fiennes remains one of the best actors working today. While he’ll always be remembered (and loathed) by some for playing He Who Shall Not Be Named, he’s had plenty of rich performances in projects includingThe Grand Budapest Hotel,No Time to Die,The DigandThe Lego Batman Movie. He’s set to re-team withWes AndersoninThe Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,as well star in the miniseriesBrideshead RevisitedwithAndrew GarfieldandCate Blanchett.
Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)
Typical Slytherin. While there are a plethora of evil, dangerous creatures and villains for Harry to contend with throughout the eight films, the most consistent thorn in his side is Draco Malfoy (along with his equally-obnoxious sidekicks, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle). A near exact copy of his father Lucius, Draco is very judgemental and stresses the importance of blood purity. He believes that only pure-blood wizards and witches (those whose parents are both wizards and witches) should be allowed at Hogwarts and looks down upon anyone else. (As he calls them, “Mudbloods.”) The first stand-off between him and Harry is when the two are being fitted for their robes in Diagon Alley. “He’s a product of his parents, Draco, and he’s got really bad parents,” actorTom Feltonsaid in the documentary. “If your Dad is a psychopath, wielding a cobra cane about, you’re probably not going to be the friendliest geezer.”
Felton had a recurring role inThe Flashseries and is set to star in upcoming projectsBurial,Canyon Del MuertoandLead Heads.
Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter)
She has a cackle that’ll pierce the night sky and a set of chompers to match, it’s the ruthless Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. She’s part of the House of Black, making her first cousins with Sirius Black. She was Lord Voldemort’s most loyal and enthusiastic supporter, and similar to the Malfoys, was adamant about the superiority of pure-blood wizards and witches. She married Rodolphus Lestrange, though author J.K. Rowling has said that Bellatrix’s one love was Voldemort. In the documentary, actress Helena Bonham Carter detailed her relationship with her unpredictable character. “With Bellatrix, it was fun, because I was fostering the childish and the naughty…and totally anarchist.” She was a key part of the last fourHarry Potterfilms.
Since her days in the wizarding world, Carter has starred in adaptations of classics such asGreat Expectations,Les MisérablesandCinderella. She’s also appeared in the ensemble filmOcean’s Eightand asPrince Margaret inThe Crown. She’s set to star alongsidePierce Brosnanin the upcoming comedyNot Bloody LikelyaboutGeorge Bernard Shaw’s famous work,Pygmalion.
Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)
Rubeus Hagrid is a hard worker and trustworthy friend of Harry, Ron and Hermione from the very beginning. Starring in all eight of the films, Hagrid’s been on every step of the wizarding journey, and has known Harry since he was an infant. He was tasked with bringing baby Harry to the Dursleys, Harry’s adoptive family, once Harry’s parents were murdered by Voldemort. In addition to being a loyal companion, the half-human and half-giant is the proud owner of several pets and is the Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. He also teaches a class titled Care of Magical Creatures.
In addition to playing Hagrid,Robbie Coltraneis known for his work on the seriesCrackerandNational Treasure, and for his voiceover work inArthur Christmas,The Tale of DespereauxandBrave.
Sirius Black (Gary Oldman)
The tragic Sirius Black is one of the most influential and pivotal characters in the world of Harry Potter. He’s introduced to Harry and his friends inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where he plays the titular prisoner. After escaping Azkaban prison with his Animagus abilities after over a decade of being wrongfully convicted of murder, he’s initially looked down upon by Harry. Once Harry learns the truth about Sirius’s friendship with Harry’s father James, and that despite being from the House of Black, Sirius detests the pure-blood elitism in the family, he becomes an ally.
Gary Oldmanis one of the most highly regarded actors working today. He won an Oscar for his performance asWinston ChurchillinDarkest Hour, and is known for his masterful performances in projects such asTinker Tailor Soldier Spy,The Book of Eli,MankandThe Dark Knighttrilogy. He can next be seen starring in the AppleTV+ thriller seriesSlow HorseswithOlivia CookeandJonathan Pryce.
Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs)
Meet the man orchestrating the Malfoys’ evil plans. The former Hogwarts student and Slytherin prefect Lucius Malfoy is the father of Draco Malfoy and is on the Board of Governors at Hogwarts. In addition to serving Voldemort as one of his Death Eaters, he’s constantly undermining Dumbledore’s authority and abusing his own power. An example of this is when he tries to banThe Fountain of Fair Fortunefor its inclusion of a marriage between a witch and a Muggle, which goes against his pure-blood beliefs. He worked closely with Bellatrix Lestrange, becoming a severe threat to the world order.
ActorJason Isaacsinitially read for the part of Gilderoy Lockhart, before director Chris Columbus asked him to read for Lucius. “The point of [Lucius] being in the story to me” Issaacs said, “was to explain why Draco was such a horrible, heartless, sadistic bully at school.” Isaacs is known for his work in the British mystery seriesCase Histories,as wellStar Trek: Discovery,Sex EducationandThe Great. He has a number of projects at various stages of development and can currently be seen in the seriesGood Sam.
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Dobby (Toby Jones)
Ah Dobby, everyone’s favorite house elf. The lovable creature first appeared inHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where he’s the servant to the vicious Malfoy family. With the exception of the infamous Quidditch match incident, Dobby is a true friend and source of inspiration for Harry, often warning him of impending doom and potential threats, such as Lucius’s plans to unleash the Chamber of Secrets.
Dobby is voiced by Emmy nominated actorToby Jones, who’s known for work as Dr. Arnim Zola in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Claudius Templesmith inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise, as well as for starring inWayward PinesandFirst Cow. He’s set to star alongsideEmily BluntinThe Englishand in theEdgar Allan Poebiographical film,The Pale Blue Eye.
