As the magical world of Harry Potter captivated audiences worldwide, the talented actors who brought J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters to life became household names. With the franchise’s conclusion, fans wondered about the paths these actors would take beyond Hogwarts. From the Boy Who Lived to his loyal friends and formidable foes, this exploration dives into the current endeavors and diverse careers of twenty Harry Potter actors. Discover where these talented individuals have journeyed in the years since waving their wands and bidding farewell to the iconic wizarding world.
The List of Where the 20 Harry Potter Actors are Now
20. Richard Griffiths
Griffiths portrayed Harry’s antagonistic Uncle Vernon, the husband of Petunia, and father to Dudley. Post-Harry Potter, Griffiths participated in several endeavors, including roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Hugo. Unfortunately, in March 2013, he passed away at the age of 65 due to complications arising from heart surgery.
19. Fiona Shaw
Shaw portrayed Petunia Dursley, Harry’s aunt, and sister to his late mother Lily Potter, who harbors a strong disdain for wizards. Following her role in Harry Potter, Shaw secured a recurring position in Season 4 of HBO’s True Blood, subsequently gracing the screen in films such as Lizzie, Ammonite, and Enola Holmes. Presently, she enjoys the status of a series regular on the popular BBC show Killing Eve and assumes the role of Maarva Andor, a catalyst for rebellion and adoptive mother to Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), in the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor.
18. Harry Melling
Melling kickstarted his acting career by portraying Harry’s entitled cousin Dudley in the film series. Commencing his acting journey at a young age, Melling has become a notable presence in various Netflix productions, showcasing his talent in projects such as The Old Guard, The Devil All the Time, The Queen’s Gambit, and The Pale Blue Eye, where he assumes the role of Edgar Allan Poe.
17. Alan Rickman
The late actor, widely recognized for his kindness, took on the role of Professor Snape, initially perceived as an antagonist to Harry but revealed to be secretly on his side. After his iconic portrayal in Harry Potter, Rickman engaged in several projects, such as Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Gambit. Unfortunately, he succumbed to pancreatic cancer in January 2016 at the age of 69. His last film role, providing the voice for Absolem in Alice Through the Looking Glass, was posthumously released in May 2016.
16. Maggie Smith
Smith portrayed the astute Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. Beyond her memorable role in the wizarding world, Smith is recognized for her portrayal of Violet Crawley in the Downton Abbey series and its 2019 cinematic adaptation. Her recent work includes featuring in Netflix’s 2021 holiday film A Boy Called Christmas and revisiting her role as the Crawley family matriarch in 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era.
15. Michael Gambon
Following the passing of Richard Harris, who originally portrayed Albus Dumbledore, in 2002, Gambon assumed the role starting with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and continued portraying the character throughout the series. Gambon’s career extended beyond Hogwarts, with appearances in various shows and films such as the PBS miniseries Little Women, Victoria & Abdul, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Judy.
Regrettably, in September 2023, the actor passed away at the age of 82. His representative issued a statement to PEOPLE, expressing devastation at the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. The statement conveyed that he peacefully passed away in the hospital, with his wife Anne and son Fergus by his bedside, following a battle with pneumonia.
14. Robbie Coltrane
Coltrane portrayed the endearing half-giant Rubeus Hagrid throughout the Harry Potter series. Since the conclusion of Harry Potter, Coltrane’s screen appearances have been limited, with notable roles in the Channel 4 series “National Treasure” alongside former co-star Julie Walters and providing the voice for Lord Dingwall in Pixar’s “Brave.”
Regrettably, on October 14, 2022, Coltrane passed away at the age of 72. Belinda Wright, Coltrane’s agent and friend, confirmed the news to PEOPLE, describing the actor as “a unique talent.” She highlighted his enduring legacy, particularly as Hagrid, a role that brought joy to audiences worldwide and earned him a steady stream of fan letters for over two decades.
13. Helena Bonham Carter
Carter embodied the fearsome Bellatrix Lestrange, a devoted Death Eater and one of Voldemort’s most loyal followers in the Harry Potter series. Post-Harry Potter, Carter has consistently embraced eccentric roles, gracing productions such as “Dark Shadows,” “Les Misérables,” “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” and “Cinderella.” Notably, she collaborated with Netflix, featuring alongside Millie Bobby Brown in the Enola Holmes movies and portraying Princess Margaret in seasons 3 and 4 of “The Crown.”
12. Ralph Fiennes
Fiennes took on the role of the villainous Lord Voldemort in the film series. Following his portrayal of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Fiennes has graced the stage in several theater productions and left his mark on notable films such as “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The King’s Man,” and the James Bond film series featuring Daniel Craig.
11. Mark Williams
Williams portrayed the patriarch of the Weasley family, also serving as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Following his portrayal of Mr. Weasley, Williams secured recurring roles on “Doctor Who” and “Red Dwarf.” Currently, he takes on the lead role in the enduring BBC series “Father Brown,” embodying the character of the titular priest.
10. Julie Walters
Walters assumed the role of the matriarch within the Weasley family throughout the film series. Post-Harry Potter, she seamlessly transitioned into other memorable characters. Notably, she portrayed Mrs. Bird in the Paddington films, revisited her role as Rosie in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” took on the character Ellen in “Mary Poppins Returns,” and played Mrs. Medlock in the 2020 remake of “The Secret Garden.”
09. Alfred Enoch
Enoch portrayed Dean Thomas, a Gryffindor peer of Harry’s who later becomes a member of Dumbledore’s Army. Despite having a minor role in the films, this marked the beginning of a more extensive acting journey for him, notably propelled by his leading role in ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder.”
08. Evanna Lynch
Lynch embodied the character Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw introduced in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” Since her time in the wizarding world, Lynch has engaged in several projects, encompassing the teen comedy “G.B.F.,” the Irish independent drama film “My Name Is Emily,” and the BBC drama “Silent Witness.” In 2018, she showcased her dancing skills on season 27 of “Dancing with the Stars,” securing a commendable third-place finish.
07. James Phelps and Oliver Phelps
The real-life twin siblings took on the roles of Ron Weasley’s older brothers, Fred and George Weasley. Beyond their wizarding world stint, the brothers have maintained a collaborative professional journey. In 2012, they featured in the Plato documentary “A Mind’s Eye,” showcasing their shared interests. Additionally, they co-host their podcast titled “Normal Not Normal,” where several fellow Harry Potter cast members have made notable appearances.
06. Matthew Lewis
Lewis portrayed the shy Neville Longbottom, a Gryffindor in the same year as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Following in the footsteps of many of his Harry Potter colleagues, Lewis graced the stage, making his West End debut in “Our Boys” in 2012. He expanded his repertoire with appearances in various shows and films, such as “The Syndicate,” “Death in Paradise,” “Terminal,” “Me Before You,” and “All Creatures Great and Small.” In May 2018, Lewis exchanged vows with his girlfriend Angela Jones, whom he initially met at a Celebration of Harry Potter event at Universal Orlando.
05. Bonnie Wright
Wright took on the role of Ginny Weasley, the youngest Weasley sibling and eventual wife to Harry in the series. Post-Harry Potter, she established her film production company, BonBonLumiere. In addition to producing short films and participating in independent film projects, Wright explored her directorial talents, helming projects such as 2012’s “Separate We Come, Separate We Go” and music videos, including Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson’s single, “Iguana Bird,” in 2018. In a low-key ceremony on a California farm in 2022, Wright exchanged vows with Andrew Lococo.
04. Tom Felton
Felton brought the brash Draco Malfoy to life in the series, portraying the character as a recurrent adversary to Harry due to their disparate upbringings and the rivalry between their opposing Hogwarts houses. Following his portrayal of the fan-favorite antagonist, Felton ventured into various projects, participating in a selection of indie films such as “From the Rough” and “The Apparition,” along with period pieces like “Belle” and “Ophelia.”
He took on a recurring role during the third season of “The Flash” as Julian and assumed the role of the villain in Netflix’s family horror film “A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting,” adapted from Joe Ballarini’s book trilogy. In October 2022, Felton unveiled his memoir, titled “Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard.”
03. Rupert Grint
Grint, renowned for his portrayal of Ron Weasley, Harry’s loyal companion and eventual husband to Hermione, has sustained a steady career post the Harry Potter film series. Engaging in diverse projects, he has graced several indie films, including “Into the White,” the Macbeth adaptation “Enemy of Man,” and “Moonwalkers.”
Similar to Radcliffe, Grint has explored the world of theater, featuring in the 2013 West End revival of “Mojo” and Broadway’s “It’s Only a Play.” Notably, he has become a fixture on Apple TV+’s acclaimed M. Night Shyamalan series, “Servant.” On the personal front, Grint embraced fatherhood when he and actress Georgia Groome welcomed a daughter in May 2020.
02. Emma Watson
Portraying the astute Hermione Granger, a trusted ally of Harry Potter and an outstanding student at Hogwarts, Watson embarked on a remarkable acting journey beyond the magical world of Harry Potter.
Her post-Hermione career boasts an array of blockbuster films, including “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “The Bling Ring,” the live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast,” and the 2019 remake of “Little Women.” Beyond her achievements on the silver screen, Watson earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brown University in May 2014. Utilizing her platform, she emerged as a fervent advocate for gender equality in her role as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
01. Daniel Radcliffe
Radcliffe secured the coveted role of Harry Potter, a young wizard engaged in a battle against the dark forces embodied by Voldemort. Following the conclusion of the Harry Potter film series, Radcliffe diversified his acting portfolio, featuring prominently in various projects.
Notably, he took on the Broadway musical stage with “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” explored the horror genre in “The Woman in Black,” delved into science-fantasy with “Victor Frankenstein,” and showcased his versatility in the heist film “Now You See Me 2.” His repertoire expanded further with a cameo in the 2020 Netflix special “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend,” where he portrayed Kimmy Schmidt’s husband. In 2022, Radcliffe shared the screen with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum in “The Lost City” and took on the role of “Weird Al” Yankovic in the biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” Additionally, he starred in the 2022 Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.”
March 2023 brought joyous news, as Radcliffe’s representative confirmed to PEOPLE that he and his longtime girlfriend Erin Darke are expecting their first child, marking a new chapter in their relationship that began over a decade ago when they played love interests in the 2013 movie “Kill Your Darlings.”
Conclusion
As we take a retrospective journey into the post-Hogwarts lives of the Harry Potter actors, it becomes evident that their careers have flourished in various directions. From captivating performances on stage to successful ventures on the silver screen, these talented individuals have demonstrated their versatility and enduring impact. The magic of Harry Potter lives on not only in the pages of J.K. Rowling’s books and the cinematic world but also in the continued success and diverse pursuits of the actors who once graced the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. As fans, we can appreciate the unique journeys each actor has undertaken, forever grateful for the enchanting memories they bestowed upon us during their time in the wizarding realm.
