Harry Potter is the second most successful film franchise of all time and fans love Harry’s adventures in J.K Rowling’s wonderful books. Harry was the hero, but he couldn’t have done it without the many strong women by his side and they opened up the world of wizards, witches and magic to fans. Even though Harry Potter is over, these talented actresses were not and went on to star in award winning movies and others took a different path. Even though that will always be their Potter character in our hearts.
Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall – Then
Although Professor Dumbledore was the face of Hogwarts, deputy headmistress Professor McGonagall was no less close to it.
Minerva was a loyal member of the Order of the Pheonix, and watched Harry Potter when he was taken to the Dursley’s, and watched him during his time at Hogwarts. McGonagall was a strong character and regular feature in all but one of the franchise.
Maggie Smith – Now
Maggie Smith’s impressive career has spanned over 66 years, appearing in over 50 films leading her to become one of Britain’s most recognized and respected actresses. Following her role in Harry Potter, Smith went on to appear in successful British period drama, Downton Abbey, for which she was awarded a Golden Globe award, two Emmy awards and a Screen Actors Guild award.
For her incredible achievements in film, Smith was made a Dame by the Queen in 1990 for services to the performing arts.
Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter – Then
We first came across Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, as the intrusive journalist from The Daily Prophet who specialized in writing false stories and misreported interviews. Rita was even dubbed “enchantingly nasty” by Professor Dumbledore.
At the Triwizard Tournament, Skeeter painted Harry as a depressed orphan and tragic hero who was in love with Hermione Granger. Rita also wrote defaming articles about Hagrid, which led students’ parents to become concerned about his ferocity.
Miranda Richardson – Now
Despite appearing as an intrinsically nasty and deceitful individual in Harry Potter, Richardson was actually quite the opposite in real life, something that was a testament to her acting.
When cameras stopped rolling on the popular franchise, Richardson went on to play Labour politician Barbara Castle in the British film Made in Dagenham, before taking on the role of Queen Ulla in Angelina Jolie Disney movie Maleficent in 2014, but her part was cut in post-production.
Julie Walters as Molly Weasley – Then
The Weasley family were all a huge part in the Harry Potter films. Ron was Harry’s best friend, Ginny was his love interest, Fred and George fought for Harry and Arthur protected Harry. However, Molly Weasley was the family matriarch and kept everyone together, not to mention acting as Harry’s adopted mother.
Molly was a strong member of the revived Order of the Phoenix and went down in wizarding history as the witch who defeated Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Julie Walters – Now
There is no doubt that Julie Walters is one of the best British actresses of all time with decades of film credits to her name. Walters has won two BAFTA Film Awards,four BAFTA TV Awards, the International Emmy award for A Short Stay in Switzerland in 2009, followed by receiving the BAFTA Fellowship in 2014.
Aside from Harry Potter, Walters has appeared in Calendar Girls, Brave and Mamma Mia! For her services to drama, Walters received a Damehood from the Queen in 2017.
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger – Then
Hermione Granger was undoubtedly the brains behind all of her dangerous adventures with Harry and Ron. The leading lady of the franchise never disappointed when it came to coming up with something brilliant or putting the boys in their place.
Hermione’s strong-willed and fearless nature proved that she was a true Gryffindor at heart and her involvement in destroying Voldemort’s Horcruxes and the triumphant Battle of Hogwarts was instrumental. Hermione eventually found love with Ron Weasley and later became the Minister for Magic.
Emma Watson – Now
Watson started her career in Harry Potter at the young age of 11, but her career didn’t struggle after the franchise came to a close. Watson went on to appear in My Week with Marilyn, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Bling Ring, before taking a hiatus from acting to attend college at Brown University.
After graduating in 2014, Watson threw herself into her career and was cast as Belle in the 2017 live action Disney adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.
Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney – Then
Professor of Divination, Sybill Trelawney, might have come across as a weird and eccentric character in the franchise, but she was actually an integral part in prophesying major events.
She predicted that a boy would be born in July who had the power to defeat the dark lord and speaking the famous words “either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…” Sybill also predicted the escape of Peter Pettigrew and the return of Lord Voldemort.
Emma Thompson – Now
Emma Thompson is truly one of the most acclaimed actresses in Britain, appearing in hugely successful films including Love Actually, Angels in America, Nanny McPhee, Stranger than Fiction, Last Chance Harvey andMen in Black 3.
Thompson has also won two Academy Awards, and a number of BAFTA Awards. In 2013, Thompson received a number of nominations and critical acclaim for her role as P. L. Travers in Saving Mr. Banks. Later, in 2017, Thompson appeared in Disney live action movie Beauty and the Beast.
Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge – Then
We met Dolores Umbridge Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the plotting and conniving Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, before being installed as the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts, followed by the Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
Umbridge’s ruthless tactics and tyrannical leadership led her to fire Dumbledore and become Headmistress of Hogwarts. Umbridge despised Harry Potter and often discredited his claims, resorting to torture in one instance. However, it didn’t last and centaurs took care of her.
Imelda Staunton – Now
Imelda Staunton has appeared in a number of films and theatre productions in her career, winning her four Olivier Awards, with an additional 11 nominations. For her acting, she has won a BAFTA award and had nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
In her career, Imelda has appeared in films including Nanny McPhee, Gypsy, Pride, and The Girl, amongst others. In 2017, she appeared in three movies including Paddington 2, Finding Your Feet and The Actor’s Apprenticeship.
Zoe Wanamaker as Rolanda Hooch – Then
Madam Hooch was the Quidditch instructor at Hogwarts and taught first years how to fly on broomsticks. Her opening statement when teaching first years to fly was “Flying is not unlike walking.
It’s just much more difficult, and far more dangerous.” It was in Madam Hooch’s first class that Draco Malfoy forced Harry Potter to fly alone and catch Neville Longbottom’s Remembrall, leading him to almost be expelled. However, this was the first and last film she appeared in.
Zoe Wanamaker – Now
Other than her appearance in Harry Potter, Wanamaker has had quite the successful career in films, appearing in the film My Week with Marilyn, as well appearing in TV shows including sitcom My Family, as well as dramas Agatha Christie’s Poirot, andMr Selfridge.
For her services to drama, Zoe was appointed a Commander of the British Empire in 2001. Recently, Zoe plays Gail in Girlfriends, as well as Antedia in Britannia, showing no signs of slowing down her career.
Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy – Then
Narcissa Malfoy was the mother of Draco Malfoy and wife of Death Eater, Lucius. Narcissa made Severus Snape make the unbreakable vow to protect Draco and step in if Draco could not perform the task the Dark Lord asked him to do.
Despite associating herself with Death Eaters, Narcissa’s number one priority was her family and she even lied to Voldemort when checking if Harry Potter was in fact dead. Due to Draco being alive, she chose to protect Potter’s life.
Helen McCrory – Now
As it turned out, McCrory was not intended to play the role of Narcissa Malfoy and she was given the part of Bellatrix Lestrange. However, this all changed when Helen fell pregnant and couldn’t play the recurring role of Bellatrix, but producers later gave her the part of Narcissa.
Since Harry Potter, McCrory has also appeared in Scorsese film Hugo,Skyfall,Peaky Blinders and Fearless. In 2017, Helen was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama.
Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks – Then
Nymphadora Tonks was an Auror and in the second Order of the Phoenix, taking part in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, all while falling in love with Remus Lupin.
They had a child together, Teddy, and despite Lupin’s worries that Teddy would share his werewolf condition, he didn’t and instead inherited his mother’s metamorphic abilities. When Tonks was killed by her aunt Bellatrix Lestrange, Teddy was raised by her mother and Teddy’s godfather, Harry Potter.
Natalia Tena – Now
Following her tragic death on Harry Potter, Natalia went full speed ahead with her career and won herself a role on hugely successful HBO show Game of Thrones, appearing as Osha.
In 2015, Natalia starred as the lead in British mini-series Residue before being cast as Sara Morten in the CBS drama Wisdom of the Crowd in 2017. When Tena is not acting, she is showing off her vocals as the lead singer in her band, Molotov Jukebox. She really is a triple threat.
Kelly Macdonald as Helena Ravenclaw – Then
Also known as the Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw lived in the 10th and 11th century but was murdered by the Bloody Baron when she refused to return home with him, after running away to Albania with her mother’s diadem.
Both Helena and the Bloody Baron returned to Hogwarts Castle as ghosts, and Helena proved instrumental in helping Harry Potter hunt Voldemort’s Horcruxes, one of which was her mother’s diadem. Helena made the mistake of trusting Voldemort and telling him about the diadem.
Kelly Macdonald – Now
Although Kelly Macdonald only appeared in one Harry Potter film, she has appeared in many other notable movies including Trainspotting, Gosford Park, Intermission, Nanny McPhee, The Girl in the Cafe and No Country for Old Men.
She has won a number of notable awards including an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie as well as being nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Macdonald went on to star in Boardwalk Empire for five seasons.
Clémence Poésy as Fleur Delacour – Then
Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire brought in two new wizarding schools, one of which was the witches school Beauxbatons. Led by Fleur Delacour, the wizards of Hogwarts stared in awe of the girls, particularly Ron Weasley.
Fleur was a contestant in the Triwizard Tournament but failed to complete the second challenge. Fleur eventually found love with Bill Weasley and their wedding was held at the Weasley house, before being disrupted by Death Eaters.
Clémence Poésy – Now
The French actress’ career did not die down when Harry Potter came to a close, and instead she took on many film and TV roles. In the fourth season of Gossip Girl, she played Chuck Bass’ girlfriend Eva, and in 2010, Poésy appeared alongside James Franco in the Danny Boyle film, 127 Hours.
In 2012, Poésy made her Broadway debut in Cyrano de Bergerac, playing the role of Roxane and most recently in 2013, she took the lead role in Sky Atlantic/Canal+ series The Tunnel.
Frances de la Tour as Olympe Maxime – Then
While Hagrid was the first half-giant we came across in Harry Potter, the second was the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Olympe Maxime.
Hagrid did everything possible to try and impress Olympe, from taming his hair, putting on his best clothes and revealing the secret Triwizard dragons. However, being a half-giant was something that Maxime fiercely denied and said that she was just “big boned.” Maxime and Hagrid later toured Europe to stop the giants from joining Voldemort’s army.
Frances de la Tour – Now
Frances managed to fool audiences into believing that she was French, but she is actually a British actress. Following her role as a half-giant, Frances appeared in a number of critically acclaimed films including Tim Burton ‘s Alice in Wonderland in 2010, The Book of Eli and Hugo.
In 2013, she took on another role of a headmistress in BBC sitcom Big School and in 2016, she joined the second season of Outlander. Frances has won three Olivier awards, one Tony award and had numerous BAFTA nominations.
Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle – Then
Mrytle Warren, most commonly known after her death as ‘Moaning Myrtle’ was a ghost that haunted the second-floor girls’ bathroom at Hogwarts. We later found out that Myrtle was the student killed after finding the Chamber of Secrets by Salazar Slytherin’s Basilisk, under the orders of Voldemort.
Myrtle was often heard crying in the bathroom, hence her nickname, and when she wasn’t, she was crushing on Harry Potter. Myrtle proved to be very useful when figuring out clues for the Triwizard Tournament.
Shirley Henderson – Now
Shirley Henderson was a well established actress even before her role in Harry Potter, and she was a main part in Bridget Jones’s Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. In 2008, Henderson appeared in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, and in 2017 she appeared in the Netflix film Okja.
In addition, the Scottish actress won a BAFTA nomination for her role in the miniseries Southcliffe. Recently, Shirley switched from the silver screen to the stage and she began appearing in a number of theatre productions.
Katie Leung as Cho Chang – Then
Although Harry Potter was filled with action, there were still plenty of romances and love interests. Harry Potter’s first crush was Cho Chang, but the Ravenclaw student had eyes for Triwizard contestant Cedric Diggory.
The two were dating in her fifth year until Cedric was tragically killed by Peter Pettigrew. Following this, Cho joined Dumbledore’s army, led by Harry, and the two shared their first kiss in the Room of Requirement. However, Cho and Harry didn’t last, and they found love elsewhere.
Katie Leung – Now
When Harry Potter finished, Katie Leung admitted that she was unsure whether she wanted to continue her career in acting. However, after attending a drama school, she gained a new found love and went on perform in some stage shows.
In 2012, Leung starred in a drama series called Run, as well as BBC’s crime drama series Father Brown crime drama series. It wasn’t until 2017 that Leung headed back into feature films as she co-starred with Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan in The Foreigner.
Geraldine Somerville as Lily Evans Potter – Then
Lily Evans was a muggle-born before discovering that she was a witch. We later found out that it was Severus Snape who introduced her to this world, but Lily eventually found love with James Potter at Hogwarts.
The two were married and had one son, Harry, but shortly after his birth, Lily and James were murdered by Voldemort after defying him three times. Lily appeared in the movies through her Patronus and talking to Harry before sacrificing himself to Voldemort.