Regardless of generation, the magical adventures of Harry Potter and his friends have entranced movie goers and book readers alike. From major figures in British media to pre-teen unknown actors, its cast has been shot to global stardom. Where are the careers of Harry Potter’s most famous faces now, away from the magical halls of Hogwarts?
Then: Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
Harry’s courage and Hermione’s skill seem to leave little room for less practical skills, yet Ron Weasley is undoubtedly the glue that holds this golden trio together. The famous redhead has proved his loyalty to his friends time and time again, but has been fascinatingly shown to be filled with self-doubt. Knowing that his bravery or magical prowess might be lacking compared to his best friends, Ron can explode or brood in anger — but he always finds a way back to them.
At the end of the day, Ron is able to work through and set aside inner turmoil for the sake of those he loves — Hermione, in particular. He is more approachable than either Harry or Hermione — in a world teetering on the brink of war, where magic can commit unspeakable crimes, Ron is the type of person the Wizarding community needs more than ever.
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Now: Rupert Grint
Though not quite as visible as his on-screen best friends, Rupert Grint remains active in various forms of media, popping up in places and roles you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Whether in music, film, or on the stage, Grint has continued to enjoy life as a working actor. His greatest success of late has come from television. The medium has seen him in several acclaimed series and his performances have been praised as well.
2017 saw Grint leading the cast of Snatch, Sony Pictures Television’s adaptation of the film of the same name. Audiences with Apple TV+ can also see the former Weasley on M. Night Shyamalan’s horror drama Servant. Much like how Ron always comes back, it’s always a delight to see an actor as comfortable on-camera as Grint return to our screens.
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Then: Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
Despite a late entrance into the series (the fifth entry, The Order of the Phoenix) Luna was able to use the limited series time left to establish herself as an odd yet loyal friend. She stands bravely and fights fiercely during the Second Wizarding War, all the while being wholly unique among her fellow students. Believing in theories and creatures that make even the magical community scoff, Luna views all the peculiarities of the world with the same kindness that she gives to those around her.
Though seemingly spacey to outside observers, Luna was deeply traumatized at a young age when she witnessed her mother die in a magical experiment gone wrong. Where many would close themselves off after such a tragedy, Luna has been a source of understanding and comfort to those — particularly Harry — who must endure similar losses as the Wizarding World marches towards the horrors of war.
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Now: Evanna Lynch
Despite an active acting career and a third-place finish on Dancing With the Stars, Lynch has been able to use her platform to continue the fight for animal rights. Whether it be food transport regulations or the methods of cosmetic testing, she brings all these topics to light on her ChickPeeps podcast. Her latest championing of animal rights is the creation of the Kinder Beauty Box, a subscription-based line of vegan and cruelty-free makeup and beauty products. In perhaps a situation of life imitating art, these initiatives of kindness seem exactly like what the lovable Luna would do.
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Then: Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid
With a staggering height and bushy beard, the half-giant’s physical strength is nothing compared to his strength of heart. Quick to cry for both sad and happy occasions, Rubeus Hagrid is a constant source of friendship and warmth for the students of Hogwarts as they navigate both war and teenage heartbreak. With a penchant for sheltering potentially dangerous creatures, Hagrid’s character always reminded us to never judge something — or someone — even if it appears to be monstrous.
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Now: Robbie Coltrane
2011 saw the conclusion of the main Harry Potter film series and it was one of the last times we saw Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane on Hollywood screens. With a small voice acting role in Pixar’s Brave, we must look across the pond to see the latest activity from the alter ego of the Hogwarts groundskeeper. For the last four years he has hosted Critical Evidence, a popular nonfiction true crime series. A fixture in British television, Coltrane continues to work in comedy, drama, and all the genres in between.
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Then: Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
With a surname initially indicative of his intelligence, we first meet Neville as a cowardly Hogwarts student who seemingly has no place in Gryffindor — perhaps even the magical school in general. Yet, Neville in fact holds one of the bravest hearts in the entire series. He grows beyond all assumptions about him and slays the snake Nagini, the last vessel of Voldemort’s soul. But it was in fact in the first film — The Sorcerer’s Stone — that Neville proved he was a true Gryffindor. Ignorant to the circumstances, Neville tries to stop Harry, Ron, and Hermione from sneaking out at night, desperate to make sure they don’t get Gryffindor House in any more trouble.
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Now: Matthew Lewis
Like most of his fellow Harry Potter actors, Matthew Lewis continues to work mostly in the United Kingdom. He has appeared in a string of BBC crime dramas — Death in Paradise, Ripper Street, and Happy Valley to name a few — and can be frequently seen on London’s West End in a variety of theater productions. One of his last forays into mainstream films was co-starring in Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin 2016 romantic drama Me Before You.
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Then: Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley
The youngest Weasley began her cinematic journey as an extremely shy 11-year-old who could barely stand in the same room as her childhood crush Harry. An easy target for the soul of Voldemort that was embedded in a cursed journal, Ginny was lured into opening the Chamber of Secrets that nearly doomed the whole school. Determined to never let herself become a victim again, Ginny abandoned the schoolgirl crush that she believed would never blossom.
Forging a path of her own, the only female Weasley sibling gained self-confidence and developed into a witch of great prowess. Never content to just be known as Ron’s little sister, Ginny used her newfound courage to become a central member of Dumbledore’s Army, a resistance movement of young wizards determined to train and fight against Voldemort. Now an emboldened young woman, she allowed herself to reignite her feelings for Harry — a romance that would lead to their eventual marriage.
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Now: Bonnie Wright
Years spent in front of the camera as the spirited Ginny cemented Bonnie Wright in the film industry — but her latest cinematic adventures have placed her behind the lens instead. After starring in a series of short films that had the honor of playing at prominent film festivals — from Cannes to Toronto — Wright’s talents have expanded to screenwriting, producing, and directing. Her Twitter account is typically filled with wonderful updates about her attachment to several independent short films of her own creation. With the field of female directors low in comparison to their male counterparts, we hope to see her forge ahead and blossom, just as Ginny did.
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Then: Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
Though he was reviled and feared for nearly 13 years, the unjustly imprisoned Sirius Black was the strongest conduit young Harry was able to find to his parents. With an understandably cavalier attitude towards authority, Sirius encourages the young wizard to embrace his desire to fight for good. While others attempt to shelter Harry from the growing storm, Black believes his talented and courageous godson has earned the right to be on the front lines. Somewhere between a father and a brother, Sirius was always there to give Harry the advice he needed as he navigated the murky waters of adolescence. With plans for Harry to leave the cruel Dursleys and live with Sirius, his shocking murder at the hand of the sadistic Bellatrix makes the ex-convict’s story even more tragic.
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Now: Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman remains one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and active character actors. With resounding energy and a penchant for unpredictably choosing his roles, watching Oldman on screen is always a joy. While mostly running parallel to the Harry Potter franchise, Oldman portrayed Batman’s ally (Commissioner Gordon) in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight series, wrapping up the trilogy in 2012. Post-Potter life also saw him nominated for two Academy Awards, finally winning one in 2017 for his pitch-perfect curmudgeonly portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. And in 2020 alone, Oldman will star in films that vary from thrillers to action vehicles to biopics. As is characteristic of most of the roles he chooses to play, Oldman never shows any signs of slowing down — and audiences should consider themselves lucky.
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Then: Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange
Lord Voldemort’s most devout follower is the only character in Harry Potter capable of surpassing his own penchant for violence. She has left her mark both literally and figuratively on many memorable characters. Masochistic to the point of being anarchic, Bellatrix delights in prolonged pain — often accompanied by her cackling shriek of a laugh. Responsible for the deaths of fan-favorite characters like Sirius Black and Dobby the House Elf, audiences cheered with cathartic enthusiasm when she famously met her end at the hand of typically kind and reserved Molly Weasley.
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Now: Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter has always been considered one of Hollywood’s most exciting actresses. Her roles have been as varied and erratic as her wonderfully zany sense of fashion. While Bellatrix exists within the mega franchise of Harry Potter, Bonham Carter hasn’t allowed it to become her only iconic role. Her talents as a singer were on display as the grungy Madame Thénardier in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables. 2015 and 2017 saw nearly back-to-back franchise hopping within Disney as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, and the erratic Red Queen in Alice Through the Looking Glass, respectively.
Streaming audiences can currently see Bonham Carter in Netflix’s The Crown as Princess Margaret, younger sister of current regent Queen Elizabeth II. Interestingly enough, 2010’s The King Speech — for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars — saw her playing the mother of Elizabeth and Margaret.
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Then: Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
With a soul twisted beyond repair, Voldemort’s inhuman face perfectly represents his venomous innards and intentions. The Dark Lord’s quest for blood purification and ultimate power left mountains of bodies in his wake. Obsessed with the search for immortality, he separates his soul into seven vessels to preserve his deplorable life.
Voldemort intensely fears the prospect of death — his heart is as cold and clammy as his skin, unable to understand that the only form of immortality that can be achieved is the love that others hold for us. The man formerly known as Tom Riddle meets his end against Harry, a young wizard with a life not unlike his own. Though both men began as wayward souls in the Wizarding World, one chose to embrace love while the other rejected it.
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Now: Ralph Fiennes
Despite a role that had computers and makeup manipulate most of his face, Ralph Fiennes has found even greater fame since playing the Dark Lord. 2014 saw Fiennes play a hilariously dedicated concierge in Wes Anderon’s typically offbeat The Grand Budapest Hotel. Almost universally acclaimed, Fiennes nabbed himself a BAFTA nomination for Lead Actor. September 2020 will see him reveal the origins of the secret organization of the Kingsman in the appropriately titled prequel The King’s Man. And April has Fiennes returning to another one of his most visible roles as M in the James Bond series. He has portrayed the head of MI6 since the finale of 2012’s Skyfall. As rumor suggests, this will be Daniel Craig’s last Bond film, but a man of Fiennes’ talent can hopefully stay on for the next iteration.
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Then: Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
Born into wealth and privilege, the stark-blond Draco Malfoy reeked of superiority. Raised with a belief that purity of blood was indicative of value, Malfoy represented the perfect foil to Harry’s altruism. Destined to become a Death Eater in the wake of Voldemort’s resurrection, Malfoy finds the status he craved as a position of torment instead.
Tasked with orchestrating the assassination of Dumbledore, Malfoy begins to understandably crumble under the pressure. For all his nastiness, evil was never truly in his heart. Despite all his battles against Harry, Malfoy is rescued by his schoolyard rival in the pivotal battle against Voldemort’s forces. Learning the values of kindness leads Malfoy to contently live a quieter life, a far cry from the upper-crust status he once held in regard.
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Now: Tom Felton
Though the heights of the Harry Potter franchise can never be ignored, Tom Felton has been able to jump on-board several other iconic pieces of media. In a role perhaps too close to Malfoy, he portrayed a casually cruel zookeeper in the 2011 reboot of Planet of the Apes as his first post-Potter gig. 2016 saw him join the ever-expanding superhero genre as Dr. Alchemy, the Season 3 big bad on CW’s The Flash. And while 2018 had Felton starring in Origin — one of YouTube’s first original series — his true passion has been music. Under a pseudonym he released a slew of original songs and is currently one of the co-founders of Six String Productions, an independent music label.
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Then: Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
Much like Master Yoda from Star Wars, a mysterious — and even troublesome — past led to a pool of hard-earned wisdom and knowledge Albus Dumbledore was happy to bestow on those who would listen. Revered by many and considered a bit odd by some, Dumbledore works tirelessly as a champion for harmony between the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. The architect of the decades long plan that would bring down Voldemort’s reign, Dumbledore freely sacrifices himself in pursuit of a true greater good. Far from your typical wizened old man, Dumbledore’s sage advice consistently guides his pupil Harry. He is a driving force in teaching the young man life’s most important lesson — bravery and love will always win over the pursuit of power.
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Now: Michael Gambon
The first two films saw the legendary wizard played by Richard Harris but his untimely passing had the role passed onto Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore from films three to eight. Clearly keeping up a good relationship with Potter author J.K. Rowling, he was cast in the HBO adaptation of her first non-magical work, The Casual Vacancy. Yet as of late, Dumbledore still remains Gambon’s most visible role. 2015 saw him retire from his love of stage acting — citing memory issues making performing difficult — but he has continued to work in supporting roles in film, most recently Judy, a biopic on Wizard of Oz legend Judy Garland.
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Then: Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
A stern Transfiguration professor, McGonagall does not have the patience nor the desire to suffer fools in her classroom. As Dumbledore’s right-hand-woman, she has taught generations of young witches and wizards in the magical arts. As the series progresses, her icy exterior begins to melt, showing that a kind and caring heart lives underneath those stuffy robes. More powerful than her age may indicate, Professor McGonagall is a force and intellect to be reckoned with. Though it is a deleted scene from The Half Blood Prince, who else but the feisty McGonagall could have survived four direct curses to the sternum and live to tell the tale with her signature biting attitude?
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Now: Maggie Smith
With a legendary career behind her, Maggie Smith found a new brand of fame after her iconic supporting role. Willingly allowing her acceptance of roles to slow down, Smith was able to put all her talent into her most iconic role next to McGonagall — the tough as nails Dowager Countess on PBS’ Downton Abbey. The role earned her a slew of award nominations after every season, and for good reason. Much like McGonagall, Maggie Smith infuses Violet Crawley with biting precision and humorous, upper-crust musings. 2019 saw the Downton Abbey series get a film adaptation co-starring Smith, and we can only hope the recently announced sequel will bring back her charm and wit once again.
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Then: Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
With his allegiance under constant debate, Snape was able to eclipse Harry himself as the most fascinating character in the series. Once a devoted follower of Voldemort, the Dark Lord’s initial defeat eventually led Snape to become Potions Master of Hogwarts. His unjust teaching method led to many a torment for generations of students, particularly Harry. But his curricular cruelty paled in comparison to his murder of Dumbledore. Audiences thought the truth had finally been revealed about Snape for good.
But as The Deathly Hallows Part II reveals, Snape and Dumbledore were the masterminds behind a plan that would finally eradicate Voldemort. A childhood friend of Harry’s mother Lily, Snape loved her with every fiber of his being. After her murder at Voldemort’s hand, Snape spent almost two decades as a spy for Dumbledore — and protected her son, a boy that in a different timeline could have even been his own. In the end, for as cold and unforgiving as he was, he perhaps loved the most intensely of any character.
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Now: Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman’s career was revered both in terms of his critical presentation and the box office accolades that came with it. Die Hard and Love, Actually were titles that put his drawling line delivery to perfect use. He brought perhaps the best and most heartfelt performance to the Harry Potter series — in part because he was the only person author J.K. Rowling trusted with the knowledge of Snape’s true motivations. The world was shocked with his passing in early 2016 from pancreatic cancer. With that came an outpouring of love for the veteran actor, particularly among his Harry Potter cast-mates. A humble, giving, and generous nature made him as opposite from Snape as could be — which makes his performance all the more remarkable.
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Then: Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory
The first victim to Lord Voldemort’s resurrection, Cedric Diggory was the golden boy of Hogwarts. Never burdened by the gossip or mystery that surrounded someone like Harry, Cedric’s popularity was able to flourish — but never to the detriment of his ego. Kind, humble, and skilled in multiple arenas, Cedric was the perfect bannerman to represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament. A pawn in the dark conspiracy leading to the Dark Lord’s rebirth, Cedric was with Harry at the frightening event — and lost his life there. Though Cedric’s death was sadly not the first — and certainly not the last — murder Harry would see carried out in front of him, it always held an especially heavy weight in the young wizard’s heart.
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Now: Robert Pattinson
Cedric is only seen in The Goblet of Fire (and still not exactly a main character) but casting directors must have loved what they saw — because Robert Pattinson’s career has only skyrocketed like a Nimbus 2000. Teenage hearts burst with pubescent fawning at the British actor when he took on his most famous role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise. The brooding vampire made Pattinson a household name and gave him box office viability that would have opened any door.
But in a move similar to Daniel Radcliffe, Pattinson has more recently stacked his schedule with independent art-house films — the Oscar-nominated The Lighthouse among them — to great critical acclaim. Yet, it would seem the allure of blockbusters can only be ignored for so long. Audiences will see Pattinson tackle his second bat-themed role when he takes over the role of Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
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Then: Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
The brainy bookworm Hermione Granger didn’t have as smooth a road to friendship as Harry and Ron initially, but her intellect and moral compass made her an invaluable friend to the two young men. Among the main characters, Hermione perhaps has the most visible arc and changes in her character. Hermione comes to learn that her magical aptitude has far greater meaning in more practical areas.
Where once she could list all the rules of Hogwarts, she encourages dissent in The Order of the Phoenix when the students are cut off from learning about the dangers Voldemort will present. She finds her courage with her nose out of books, using her knowledge to fight injustice rather than just reading about it. With a kindness as radiant as her brilliance, Hermione has cemented herself as a hero for the ages.
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Now: Emma Watson
While the books describe Hermione as slightly frumpy in appearance, Emma Watson has become nothing short of a beauty and fashion icon. As an actress, Watson certainly remains in the spotlight. A leading role in The Perks of Being a Wallflower allowed her to flex more of her dramatic muscles, and her perfect casting as Belle in Disney’s live action remake of Beauty and the Beast continued to let her flourish in the mainstream Hollywood landscape. But in many ways her greatest success has come from highlighting several life-conscious brands that promote social initiatives. A champion of environmental protection, women’s rights, and the expansion of access to literature, Emma Watson — much like Hermione — has led the march into a better and brighter future.
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Then: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
The titular wizard’s adventures swept through the mind of book readers and movie audiences alike as fast as his Firebolt broom. Burdened and brave beyond his years, Harry’s exploits — and purity of heart — is the stuff of legend. Known as the boy who lived, he is the only wizard to have survived an encounter with the dreaded Lord Voldemort. Fame and fortune could have made Harry into an ego-driven magical celebrity but his desire to live an average life shaped him into a kind-hearted and determined man — and to many, a hero.
With a natural ability to rally those of the same moral standing to his cause, Harry’s quest saves the Wizarding World from certain doom, even at the cost of his own life for a time. For all his adventures, Harry’s greatest feat was his ability to love and be loved in return.
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Now: Daniel Radcliffe
It’s almost unimaginable to comprehend the level of fame that young Daniel Radcliffe experienced immediately upon being cast as the boy wizard at just 10-years-old. When the series wrapped up in 2011, Radcliffe could have certainly jumped on board any major franchise. Determined to throw off the threat of being typecast, Radcliffe turned towards performing on stage. He infamously appeared nude in a production of Eqqus and has become a Grammy nominee for the album “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
On screen, he has perhaps embraced the darker side of the magical world, starring in horror films such as The Woman in Black and Horns. Currently starring on TBS’s Miracle Workers as an angel, and soon to be seen in Guns Akimbo (which features pistols nailed onto Radcliffe’s hands) no one can argue that Radcliffe has worked tirelessly to shake the magical shackles that could have led him to be singularly known as Harry Potter.
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