Harry Potter characters: books vs. the movies!

Always have been. It’s just that Avada Kedavra’s only purpose is to kill, whereas other spells have other uses.

Remembering Sir Michael Gambon on his birthday ❤️ Thank you for bringing Dumbledore to life and being such a memorable part of our years at Hogwarts. Always missed. 🪄

Emma Thompson and Imelda Staunton’s friendship is a world away from Trelawney and Umbridge’s relationship. The two were so close that Staunton once said living two doors from Thompson meant they were “in each other’s pockets all the time, which is heaven.”

Genuinely insane

Dame Maggie Smith filmed Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Despite the exhaustion and losing her hair to chemotherapy, she continued bringing Professor McGonagall to life. Speaking to The Times in 2009, she recalled: “I was hairless. I had no problem getting the wig on.” A remarkable woman whose presence meant so much to generations of Harry Potter fans. ❤️

Alan Rickman’s eyes as Snape were apparently convincing enough to fool his own director. While filming Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Mike Newell reportedly complimented their striking colour, unaware that Rickman was wearing black contact lenses. Rickman’s response? He leaned over and popped one out.

Alan Rickman’s eyes as Snape were apparently convincing enough to fool his own director. While filming Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Mike Newell reportedly complimented their striking colour, unaware that Rickman was wearing black contact lenses. Rickman’s response? He leaned over and popped one out. Source: IMDb’s Goblet of Fire trivia.

Tom Felton kept sneaking food onto the Harry Potter set in his robe pockets, so the wardrobe department eventually sewed them shut. Apparently, those enormous Hogwarts pockets were perfect for storing chocolate and sweets, and other young cast members started following his example. Speaking at Calgary Comic Expo in 2014, Felton confirmed the story: “I want to clear this up because that is absolutely true.”

Four years without Robbie Coltrane. Forever our Hagrid, forever missed. 🤍

Voldemort’s red eyes were deliberately left out of the Harry Potter films to preserve the expression in Ralph Fiennes’ eyes. Producer David Heyman explained that the filmmakers wanted audiences to see the character’s humanity, or lack of it, and felt that giving him red eyes would distract from that. Fiennes supported the choice, telling Newsweek in 2011: “I’m really glad they didn’t do that in the films.” Would you have preferred the red eyes described in the books?

Tom Felton hadn’t read any of the Harry Potter books when he auditioned, so he borrowed another boy’s answer when asked about his favourite part. 😂 Speaking to Recognise Magazine in 2010, Felton recalled that the boy before him mentioned the goblins and Gringotts. With no answer of his own, he simply replied, “the same as him”. He said Chris Columbus saw straight through him and believed the director found his response amusing. Felton also revealed that he initially auditioned for Harry, then Ron, before eventually landing the role of Draco Malfoy. Around eight auditions later, he became the Slytherin we all remember. Source: Tom Felton’s Recognise Magazine interview, November 2010, reproduced by Feltbeats.

Liam Aiken said he briefly landed the role of Harry Potter before losing it because he wasn’t British. He had previously worked with Chris Columbus on Stepmom, and the director reportedly wanted him for the part. Speaking in 2004, Aiken recalled: “I flew to England, and a week later I had the role. Then the next day, I didn’t.” He said he understood the decision and later felt relieved, concerned that playing Harry would define his entire career. Aiken went on to play Klaus Baudelaire in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Accounts differ, however. Rowling said in July 2000 that Columbus had assured her Aiken hadn’t been cast. Sources: Houston Chronicle, 23 December 2004; The Guardian, 20 July 2000; New York Magazine interview quoted by The Leaky Cauldron, 9 December 2004.

Remembering Richard Harris on his birthday today ❤️

Dominic McLaughlin attended the 2026 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards last week in London. This is his first official sighting since April. He's growing so fast!

On this day, we remember Sir Michael Gambon and Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away on 27 September, one year apart. Three years without Michael and two without Maggie. It still feels strange knowing they’re both gone. For so many of us, they’ll always be Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. The familiar voices we grew up with, waiting whenever we put those films on again. As we get older, those returns to Hogwarts feel a little more precious. Thank you for being part of our childhoods and for giving us something we’ll keep coming back to. Wands raised for you both. 🤍

Happy 47th Birthday, Hermione Granger! Born on 19 September 1979, she remains one of the most loved characters in Harry Potter. Her intelligence, courage and loyalty made her essential to the trio, and Emma Watson’s performance made her unforgettable.

Daniel Radcliffe was only 12 when he found a thoughtful way to help Richard Harris rehearse. He would ask the veteran actor to run through his own lines with him, giving Harris extra practice while making it feel as though he was helping his younger co-star.

Alan Rickman regularly welcomed children from hospitals and schools onto the Harry Potter set, taking them on tours and introducing them to the cast. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Gary Oldman recalled how much effort Rickman put into sharing the experience with young fans: “He knew how much it meant to these kids. So, he wanted to share it.” A lovely memory of the man so many grew up watching as Professor Snape. ❤️ Source: People

Alan Rickman knew a crucial part of Snape’s story years before readers did. Early in the films, J.K. Rowling privately shared a detail that helped him understand the man behind Harry’s intimidating Potions teacher. That secret concerned Snape’s enduring love for Lily Potter, the meaning behind “Always.” Rickman explained that Rowling’s information helped him recognise the character’s complexity and shaped his performance, even though he didn’t know the whole story. Source: Vanity Fair, reporting Rickman’s 2011 interview and Rowling’s 2016 revelation.