Happy birthday, Harry Potter! In honor of the famed Chosen One turning forty-four this year and in honor of the anticipated Harry Potter series coming to Max, I’ve been thinking about the casting choices we saw in the initial adaptation of the series. I’ve heard many Potterheads comment on how perfect the casting was for the movies. We haven’t heard casting news for the Max series yet, so I wanted to reflect on some of the best casting decisions of the movie series.
Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
I’ve never met anyone who had a bad thing to say about Maggie Smith’s portrayal of the strict, gold-hearted Professor McGonagall. She pulls off the stern deputy headmistress perfectly, but also manages to display plenty of warmth as the motherly head of Gryffindor.
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
While I’ve said my piece about Snape as a hero (multiple times), I’ve also admitted that his character is complexly and masterfully written. As such, only a masterful actor could bring him to life. Alan Rickman’s death from cancer hit hard to any of us who are fans of his works. So while I despise Snape as a person, I can’t imagine anyone but Alan Rickman portraying this character.
Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
Who could anyone hate our lovable misfit Luna? Evanna Lynch brought her wonderfully to life in the second half of the Harry Potter movies. Her soft-spoken dreamy voice matches perfectly for how Luna would react throughout the series. Much better than the impression of Luna in the audiobooks (sorry).
Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore
Of the three main Dumbledore actors, the first is my favorite. Before his unfortunate passing, Richard Harris was the level-headed, calm, and collected headmaster that always seemed to know more than he was letting on. I love the meme that goes around occasionally with Richard Harris saying “Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?” It brings peace to my soul as I imagine the book-accurate portrayal of Dumbledore.
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
I feel like it’s well known that Emma Watson took time while filming Harry Potter to attend Oxford and Brown. Who could be better to play our dear Hermione? And then she went on to play Belle afterwards! I love that Emma is just as much a bookworm and intellectual as Hermione. Makes her fit the role even better.
Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney
Professor Trelawney is meant to be a complete nutcase and Emma Thompson with her giant glasses does an amazing job being aloof and intense at the same time. Also her prophecy/trance voice is chilling (though that may have been editing software). But despite being awkward and crazy, she also made us emotional when Umbridge tried to eject her from Hogwarts.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
Obviously there isn’t source material in the Harry Potter books to say what kind of character Newt was, but I couldn’t help but include him on this list because I love how Eddie Redmayne plays the character. He’s quirky and awkward and lovable–like me, hopefully. Newt has a good heart and Eddie portrays that perfectly.
Now I’ll sit quietly and anxiously wait for news about the Harry Potter series coming to Max. I can’t imagine these actors and actresses being topped, but I hope I’ll be pleasantly surprised. For now, mischief managed.
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