15 Characters From The Harry Potter Series How They Look Then vs. Now

The Harry Potter films have definitely been one of the most unforgettable phenomenons of our time, with millions of youngsters, teens, and adults burying their faces in the books or suspending their disbelief while experiencing the enchantment on-screen. While the concepts of Hogwarts and magic are still alive and well with the Fantastic Beasts series, it’s difficult to deny that the initial sense of wizardry began to fade the moment everyone saw Harry Potter cast on their final film, Deathly Hallows Part 2.Despite the fact that many of the young actors began their careers with the Harry Potter film series, they grew up in front of the entire world as the sequels were released, and when things came to an end, they had to spread their wings and discover new heights to conquer. Many of them went on to become great performers, while others took very different routes. And for those who were not as young as the leading trio, Harry Potter was neither the beginning nor the end of their acting careers. So, if you’ve ever wondered where the movie cast members that played the legendary wizards, muggles, and everyone in between are, this list is for you! Scroll down to view the Harry Potter actors back then and now, and don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorites!

15. Daniel Radcliffe ( Harry Potter):

Daniel Radcliffe, the series’ main character, was cast in the part in 2000 after auditioning at the age of eleven. Radcliffe almost grew up with the series, having spent 10 years working on eight films that garnered him fame, riches, and critical acclaim.

14. Emma Watson ( Hermione Granger):

Hermione Granger, one of the main characters, was played by Emma Watson when she was just eleven years old. Watson, like Radcliffe, spent 10 years working on the Potter films that catapulted her to fame and international acclaim.

13. Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley):

At the age of eleven, Rupert Grint got the part of Ron Weasley. Grint, like the other members of the Golden Trio, was known for his performance and the series that consumed 10 years of his life and established a great acting career.

12. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy):

Despite not being a member of the core trio, Tom Felton’s Draco Malfoy had an equally essential role in the movie as Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Felton took on the part of Slytherin when he was 14 years old and worked on the show for eleven years.

11. Matthew Lewis ( Neville Longbottom):

As the Harry Potter films came to a conclusion, Matthew Lewis astonished everyone with his stunning “glow-up,” as he looked nothing like the boy we all saw at the start of the series. Lewis had been acting since he was five years old, but it wasn’t until he was twelve that he landed the role that would become one of his trademarks.

10. Bonnie Wright ( Ginny Weasley):

When Bonnie Wright originally took on the role of Ginny Weasley in 2001, it didn’t appear that her character or portrayal had much of an influence on the whole film. However, as Ginny’s role in the series expanded, Wright demonstrated more and more character in her depiction, earning acclaim from a number of critics.

9. Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood):

While the rest of the actors had some type of acting experience before obtaining a role in Harry Potter, Evanna Lynch had none prior to being cast as Luna Lovegood. As a youngster, she was captivated by the novels and wrote several emails to the author before learning about open casting for the part of Lovegood. She was chosen from a pool of 15,000 females, and producers suggested that although many girls could portray Luna.

8. James And Oliver Phelps (Fred And George Weasley):

Back in 2000, two 14-year-old twins with no prior acting experience took a chance and skipped school to attend Harry Potter auditions. As a result, they were cast as Fred and George Weasley, a legendary prankster combo that proved to be their most memorable part yet.

7. Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas):

When Alfred Enoch was cast as Dean Thomas in The Philosopher’s Stone, he was 13 years old. He appeared in seven of the eight Harry Potter films, and while it wasn’t as prominent as the Golden Trio’s, it was still a key part of Enoch’s career.

6. Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange):

Helena Bonham Carter is one of several Harry Potter actors who had a successful career before starring in the Potter films. Her most well-known performances were Kate Croy in The Wings of the Dove, Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech, and, of course, Bellatrix Lestrange.

5. Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall):

Dame Maggie Smith is one of the most well-known members of the Harry Potter ensemble. Prior to her appearance on the big screen as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Smith had a seemingly unending array of jobs in theatre, cinema, and television. In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II awarded the actress the title of Dame for her contributions to British culture and art.

4. Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid):

Before he became known as the compassionate half-giant Hagrid, Robbie Coltrane had a long acting career. He began performing in his early twenties and has a long list of TV and film credits to his name. Some of his most notable credits include the James Bond flicks GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough, as well as a supporting part in From Hell.

3. Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort):

Ralph Fiennes, well renowned for his portrayal as Nazi war criminal Amon Göth in Schindler’s List, came into the Potter series with a rich resume. The actor who played Harry Potter’s main evil, Lord Voldemort, worked on the films for six years.

2. Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore):

Sir Michael John Gambon has experimented in a variety of dramatic mediums, including theatre, television, and cinema. He has four BAFTA TV Awards and three Olivier Awards to his name, as well as the Irish Film & Television Academy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Irish film in 2017. He took over for Richard Harris following his death, portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore until the end of the series.

1. Lastely Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley):

Harry Melling, who comes from a family of performers (his maternal grandpa was actor Patrick Troughton, a.k.a. the Second Doctor in Doctor Who! ), played Harry Potter’s spoiled cousin, Dudley Dursley. The actor appeared in five Harry Potter films after making his big screen debut in 2001.

So there you have it. 15 Harry Potter Characters: How They Looked Then vs. Now. The first film in the franchise, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which debuted 20 years ago, brought us some outstanding talent, ranging from Daniel Radcliffe to Emma Watson. Well, to be honest, Harry Potter is one of the best franchises ever made and written by J. K. Rowling. So which of these is your favorite actor? Do let us know in the comments down below. Until then, keep on reading Animated Times, your one-stop destination for learning more about the entertainment industry, new movies, TV series, celebrity gossip, and so much more.