Harry Potter stars now from prison and life-changing car crash to alcohol death

Edinburgh Live

29-04-2025

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The much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series is in full swing, with only one original cast member set to make a comeback. It's been less than 15 years since the last instalment of the franchise hit the big screen, leading some fans to argue that it's too early for a reboot - but one key actor from all eight films appears to think otherwise.
JK Rowling, the author of the beloved series, is on board as an executive producer for the HBO Original series, and the casting details for some of the Hogwarts staff have already been unveiled. Much like the film adaptations, the TV series seems to be predominantly featuring British talent, although the young stars have not yet been announced.
What we do know is that Nick Frost, known for his role in Hot Fuzz and his collaboration with Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) in Sick Note, will be stepping into the shoes of the endearing giant Hagrid. Paapa Essiedu, who has starred in Black Mirror and Gangs of London, will portray the complex Potions master Severus Snape, while American actor John Lithgow will also join the cast.
However, the show has already faced backlash from many fans due to Rowling's controversial comments about the transgender community. Several original cast members have publicly criticised her views.
Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the films, has remained neutral regarding the author - a stance that seems to have secured him a link to the upcoming series, reports the Mirror.
Tom Felton exhibited poise during his conversation with The Times when discussing J. K.Rowling's controversial statements on transgender issues, reflecting philosophically: "I couldn't speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest, but I'm often reminded, attending Comic-Cons in particular, that no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life.
"I'm constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I've only had a handful of meetings with her but she has always been lovely. So I'm very grateful for that. I'm pro. I'm pro-choice. I'm pro-life. I'm pro-discussion. I'm pro-love. I don't tend to pick sides."
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest he is currently negotiating with HBO to remain a part of the Harry Potter television project, with an informant claiming: "Everyone knows that Tom has Jo's blessing. While others turned their backs on her, he treated her with dignity even if he disagreed with her. And now it seems he will be the one original cast member who will be involved with the new production."
Despite fan hopes to see him reprise the role of Lucius Malfoy, it seems Tom Felton has other plans. "Tom has expressed an interest in visiting the set and meeting with the actor playing Draco, and Warner is keen to make it happen. There has even been talk of getting him involved in creating behind-the-scenes content for HBO which could form part of a documentary about the making of the TV show," revealed an insider.
Post-Harry Potter fame saw Tom Felton grappling with personal demons, leading to three rehab stints due to a severe alcohol addiction. While Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Daniel Radcliffe remain big names, the fate of other actors from the Harry Potter series is also noteworthy.
Richard Harris and Michael Gambon are forever etched in fans' memories as Albus Dumbledore. Richard Harris, the Oscar-nominated talent known for roles in Camelot and Gladiator, initially declined the part of the Hogwarts headmaster thrice, aware of his failing health.
Yet, he capitulated when his 11 year old granddaughter threatened to cut ties if he refused. Harris confessed that his rebellious streak nearly cost him the iconic role, as all cast members were expected to commit to a seven-film contract.
Richard Harris, the original Dumbledore, had expressed initial reservations about committing to the franchise. "The thought of doing seven films was intimidating," he said at the time.
"I'm rebellious by nature and felt it could be rather difficult to handle."
Harris' health issues led to his untimely passing in October 2002, prompting the filmmakers to find a new Dumbledore. Initially, they approached Sir Ian McKellen, but he declined, citing Harris' past criticism of his acting.
In an interview with BBC's HARDtalk, McKellen explained, "When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say in what part. I worked out what they were thinking, and I couldn't take over the part from an actor who I'd known didn't approve of me."
The role eventually went to Michael Gambon, who brought a distinctive interpretation to the character, using his natural Irish accent and giving Dumbledore a slightly darker tone as the series progressed. Gambon passed away in 2023, with his family releasing a statement that read, "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82."
In the first Harry Potter film, Verne Troyer, known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers series, portrayed Griphook. However, due to the producers' decision to exclusively cast British actors, Troyer's voice was dubbed over by Warwick Davis, who also appeared on-screen as a bank teller and Professor Flitwick.
When Griphook returned in later films, Davis took over the role entirely, as the producers had by then implemented a strict rule about only casting British actors. Troyer went on to appear in other projects, including the final Austin Powers film and Celebrity Big Brother, before his untimely death in 2018.
Davis, who played Griphook in the Deathly Hallows films, recalled auditioning for the role and being thrilled to bring more depth to the character, saying: "Griphook has so much more depth to him than I'd ever been able to get into my work as Professor Flitwick. So, I went in and read for David Yates and the casting director, and gave them a best shot, David left a message that I'd got the part."
Davis has enjoyed a successful career post-Harry Potter, but tragically lost his wife Samantha. An inquest this month revealed that the actress, who was just 53 when she died in March 2024, suffered a cardiac arrest following complications from essential surgery.
Jamie Waylett - Vincent Crabbe.
Jamie Waylett's acting career is solely defined by his role in the Harry Potter series. He portrayed Draco Malfoy's sidekick Vincent Crabbe, always seen with his partner-in-crime Gregory Goyle.
Waylett featured in the first six films until he was dismissed due to inappropriate behaviour.
In 2009, he was removed from the Harry Potter cast after being caught cultivating cannabis plants at his residence, leading to a sentence of 120 hours community service. In 2012, Waylett was imprisoned for two years after being convicted of violent disorder during the London riots, where he was seen drinking from a stolen champagne bottle.
Although he was photographed holding a petrol bomb, he was acquitted of intending to destroy or damage property.
While Crabbe was never officially replaced, his role as one of Malfoy's henchmen was assumed by Blaise Zabini, a character present in the books but not significantly featured in the films. Louis Cordice portrayed Malfoy's new sidekick in the final three films, with his fate left uncertain while fellow Slytherin Goyle met his end in the Room of Requirement in Deathly Hallows: Part 2 due to Fiendfyre.
Richard Bremmer - Voldemort.
It's challenging to envision anyone other than Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, yet another actor took on the role in the first film. Richard Bremmer was the inaugural actor to portray the Dark Lord during the flashback sequence where he kills Harry's parents.
However, recognising him would be difficult as he was cloaked in darkness for these scenes. His face only appeared at the conclusion of Philosopher's Stone when Professor Quirrell unveiled Voldemort's face on the back of his head after removing his turban.
Bremmer was heavily made up with prosthetics and his face was digitally added onto the back of Quirrell actor Ian Hart's head - with Hart also providing the voice for the malevolent wizard. When Voldemort finally regained his full strength in the fourth film, he was portrayed by Schindler's List actor Fiennes.
Actor Hugh Bremmer candidly shared with Digital Spy, "The producers spent a long time fighting to get me so I'm very proud to have been the first. But the role is now being played by Ralph Fiennes, who is an old mate, in the fourth film," Bremmer said. "I've been in the business a long time and it didn't surprise me they just went for a bigger name, being Hollywood led, and I'm happy to pass it on to Ralph."
Despite not reprising one of cinema's most iconic villain roles, Bremmer remains active in his acting career, featuring in the martial arts comedy 'Shanghai Nights', serving as an officer in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker', and even appearing on 'Coronation Street' in 2004.
In the world of Harry Potter films, Elizabeth Spriggs was known for her portrayal of The Fat Lady in the inaugural movie. Her character held the important role of protecting the Gryffindor Common Room, famously challenging students for the password.
However, in a switch-up for the third instalment, Dawn French, a heavyweight in comedy, took over the mantle of The Fat Lady after director Christopher Columbus spotted her during a Harry Potter-themed Comic Relief sketch.
Elizabeth Spriggs, a veteran actress of the Royal Shakespeare Company and known for her role in Harry Potter, went on to feature in popular TV series such as Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Poirot. Her last film appearance was in the 2008 British drama 'Is Anybody There?
', alongside Michael Caine.
Tragically, Spriggs passed away at the age of 78 in June 2008, with her funeral attended by fellow actors Jeremy Irons and Peter Vaughan.
Derek Deadman, known for his role in Doctor Who, portrayed Tom the Innkeeper in the first Harry Potter film. His character welcomed young Harry into Diagon Alley.
Despite initially appearing friendly and relatively normal for a wizard, Tom underwent a complete transformation when he reappeared in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The once amiable barman had morphed into a creepy figure with a hunched back, bald head, and pointed ears - a depiction more aligned with his description in the books. Jim Tavaré took over the role for the third film, instructed to channel Igor from Young Frankenstein.
Following his stint as Tom, Deadman retired from the film industry and moved to Frespech, France. He sadly passed away at the age of 74 in 2014 due to complications related to diabetes.
In 2017, Tavaré was involved in a terrifying car crash that left him with severe injuries. The BAFTA-winning actor suffered over 30 broken bones, including his neck, and collapsed lungs.
After a lengthy hospital stay and tough recovery period, Tavaré channelled his experience into a stage performance, aptly titled 'From deadpan to bedpan'.
The character of Lavender Brown has been portrayed by several actors throughout the Harry Potter series, sparking some controversy. Kathleen Cauley first played her in Chamber of Secrets, before Jennifer Smith took over the role in Prisoner of Azkaban.
Smith appeared in a few scenes, such as during a Divination lesson, but didn't have any lines and her character wasn't named. Lavender's role expanded significantly in Half-Blood Prince when she became Ron Weasley's girlfriend.
Jessie Cave then stepped into the role, which led to accusations of 'white-washing' the cast as black actresses had previously played Lavender. Another controversy arose when Lavender was seen wearing Hufflepuff robes instead of Gryffindor in the second film, a mistake that was rectified in subsequent films.
Cave has since become a mother to four children with comedian Alfie Brown. Most recently, the actress, comedian, and podcaster has launched an OnlyFans account for those attracted to very long hair.
Richard Fish - Bill Weasley.
Richard Fish's brief stint as Bill Weasley in 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' was a true blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo, where he featured in the background of a photo from the Weasley family's Egyptian holiday. Aside from Alex Crockford, who played Charlie Weasley in the same snapshot, all other Weasleys were portrayed by the main cast.
Fish was on set for just a few days to shoot the magical moving picture and had hoped his role would expand in 'The Goblet of Fire'. In a chat with the Leaky Cauldron fan site, Fish shared his aspirations: "After Azkaban I had a talk with a few of the Assistant Directors over a couple of months and after they learned I was keen to return to hopefully make Bill have a larger presence, they confirmed that they were interested in re-hiring me for the job."
Unfortunately, Fish's hopes were dashed as Bill Weasley was absent from 'The Goblet of Fire', and when the character did make a significant appearance later in the series, Domhnall Gleeson, son of Brendan Gleeson (Mad Eye Moody), had taken up the mantle for 'The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2'.