Harry Potter Cast: Then And Now

H arry Potter undoubtedly has a place in the hearts of millions and not just him, either.

For many, Harry wasn’t even the best one – there was Ron and his gawky charm, Hermione’s inimitable book smarts and if Draco Malfoy wasn’t your childhood crush then can you even claim 90’s kid status?

The Harry Potter movies have, undoubtedly, been one of the most memorable phenomena of our generation with millions of kids, teens, and adults burying their faces in the books or watching the magic on-screen in suspending disbelief.

Let’s take a look back at the films, and then find out what its stars have been up to since .

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)

The main star of the series, Daniel Radcliffe, jumped into the role in 2000 after he auditioned at the age of eleven. Radcliffe became Harry Potter, giving the readers difficulty separating his face from the pages of the books.

He’s proven to be more versatile since the franchise ended.

Currently, the actor is finishing work on a thriller Escape from Pretoria in which he plays real-life South African escapee Tim Jenkin.

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

One part of the main trio, Hermione Granger was brought to life by Emma Watson when she was only eleven.

She has portrayed Belle in the 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Add 2019’s performance as Meg March in Little Women, and Watson has shown she’s got more magic up her sleeve.

She was also amongst the top 30 beautiful women of the world in 2019.

Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)

Gryffindor’s own Ron Weasley was Harry’s closest confidant.

Rupert has shed the robe nowadays and wand and taken on some new characters. Currently, the actor is working on a project called Instruments of Darkness alongside Charles Dance, Sean Bean and James D'Arcy.

You see, he’s not a little kid anymore!!!!

Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)

Neville Longbottom had one of the stronger character arcs of the series. Cowardly in the early goings, Neville was a valiant warrior by the end.

Matthew Lewis stunned everyone with his incredible 'glow-up' as the Harry Potter films were ending as he looked nothing like the kid that we all watched at the beginning of the series.

As of 2019, Lewis has reportedly wrapped up work on a comedy titled Baby Done where he plays a character named Tim.

Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy)

Only a few actors can play villains quite like Jason Isaacs. He played a Death Eater, a follower of Voldemort out to rid the world of the "Muggle-borns". He has stopped glaring at wizards with those blazing blue eyes now.

Currently, the actor is working on Scoob, an animated film based on the popular "Scooby-Doo" cartoon, where he lends his voice to Dick Dastardly.

Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid)

Robbie Coltrane had a long acting career way before he became known as the gentle half-giant Hagrid. Scottish born Robbie Coltrane played Rubeus Hagrid. Half-human, half-giant, Hagrid was Hogwarts’ eventual Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

With a face, all cleaned up and graying hair, it’s hard to believe that’s the same guy. As of 2019, Coltrane is still working on his series Robbie Coltrane Critical Evidence that he started in 2016 and has more or less ceased acting.

Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange)

Helena Bonham Carter is one of the many Harry Potter actresses that had an impressive career before appearing in the Potter movies. She is, perhaps, best known for her roles of Kate Croy in The Wings of the Dove, Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, and, of course, Bellatrix Lestrange .

Currently, the actress is set to appear on seasons three and four of The Crown as Princess Margaret, season one of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, as well as the animated film, The Land of Sometimes.

Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley)

Harry Melling brought Harry Potter's spoiled cousin Dudley Dursley to life. The actor worked on five Potter films, making his big-screen debut in 2001.

Aunt Petunia’s son, Dudley Dursley was a spoiled bully. The actor who played him is more of a decent guy in real life. Harry Melling doesn’t look anything like he did in the movies anymore.

James & Oliver Phelps (Fred And George Weasley)

Played by real-life twins James and Oliver Phelps, boys have grown up to be men now. Who didn’t love the Weasley twins? Fred and George were known as pranksters of Hogwarts, and they found themselves in loads of trouble as a result.

Well, they still look alike, but not like they once did. These two have their hair darker than it was in the films. As of 2019, both brothers worked on short film 7 Days: The story of Blind Dave Heeley where they played Dr. Mathews and Captain Williams.

Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort)

As Harry’s primary antagonist, Lord Voldemort was a frighteningly powerful sorcerer. He was so dreadful, wizards and witches dared not even mention his name.

Fiennes was Oscar-nominated for his work in Schindler’s List and The English Patient. Fiennes continues to turn in great performances. Since his Voldemort days are over, we have got to see his actual face!

At the moment, the actor is filming Bond 25 and has recently wrapped up work on Kingsman: The Great Game and is preparing to portray characters in The Farnsworth House, The Menu, The Forgiven, and Hallelujah!

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)

Little sister Ginny was played by Bonnie Wright. The talented, red-headed witch makes for some memorable moments over eight movies.

Just a preteen in the earlier films, Bonnie grew up as the story progresses. In the end, she and Harry have fallen in love.

Like with any child actor playing such a popular character for so long, fans may have a hard time seeing Bonnie as anyone but Ginny. At the moment, Wright is working on a comedy titled Those Who Wander.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)

Tom Felton's Draco Malfoy had just as important a role in the films as Harry, Hermione, and Ron. He auditioned to play Harry Potter himself, Tom Felton was cast as bully Draco Malfoy.

The grown-up Tom Felton is a serious actor audiences should get used to.

In 2018, Tom Felton worked on sci-fi horror series Origin alongside his Harry Potter co-star, Natalia Tena. Currently, Felton has just wrapped work on a comedy, Whaling.

Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore)

In the first two films, Richard Harris played Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. Sadly, Harris died in 2002. The filmmakers replaced him with BAFTA winning actor Michael Gambon. Gambon portrayed Dumbledore for the final six films of the series.

As of 2019, the actor has recently finished working on Judy, a 2019 film about Judy Garland, and horror thriller Cordelia. He is set to play Alfred Vogt in James and Lucia, a movie about the last years of James Joyce.

Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall)

Perhaps one of the biggest stars of the Harry Potter cast, Dame Maggie Smith needs no introduction. As Professor McGonagall, the eventual headmistress of Hogwarts , she introduced herself to a whole new audience.

Even at her age, Dame Maggie Smith has worked tirelessly. She won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her role as Violet Crawley on Downton Abbey.

Currently, the actress has just wrapped up work on a film Downton Abbey which acts as a continuation of the show as well as working on A Boy Called Christmas which is set to come out in 2020.

Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)

Luna Lovegood, also known as “Loony” Lovegood, the character played by Evanna Lynch, we see the character develop over that time.

In 2018, Evanna competed on season 27 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars where she reached the finale. Currently, the actress has just wrapped up work on a crime comedy Madness in the Method.

Unfortunately, some of the actors are not on this list as they passed away. Richard Harris , who originally played Dumbledore, passed away in 2002 from Hodgkin's lymphoma and was replaced by Michael Gambon. Alan Rickman, who portrayed the controversial character Severus Snape , passed away in 2016 from pancreatic cancer . Vernon Dursley's actor Richard Griffiths also passed away due to complications from heart surgery in 2013.