Actors Who Almost Joined the ‘Harry Potter’ Cast But Just Missed Out
Casting a massive cinematic franchise requires a meticulous selection process to ensure every character aligns with the source material. The ‘Harry Potter’ series spent a decade bringing J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World to life, resulting in an iconic ensemble of British talent. However, the journey to the final cast list involved numerous high-profile actors who either auditioned, were considered, or turned down major roles. These sliding-doors moments reveal a different version of the films that almost existed.
Robin Williams
The late comedian expressed great interest in playing the role of Rubeus Hagrid in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. He reportedly reached out to director Chris Columbus to lobby for the part. However, the production maintained a strict policy of only casting British or Irish actors for the major roles. This “British only” rule ultimately prevented Williams from joining the franchise despite his enthusiasm. Robbie Coltrane was eventually cast and became synonymous with the gentle giant.
Liam Aiken
Liam Aiken was the top choice for the role of Harry Potter during the early stages of development for ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. Director Chris Columbus had previously worked with the young actor on ‘Stepmom’ and felt he was a perfect fit. However, J.K. Rowling’s mandate for an all-British cast led to Aiken losing the role. Because he was American, he was disqualified just as he was about to sign on. Daniel Radcliffe was eventually discovered to take his place.
Hatty Jones
Before Emma Watson was cast as Hermione Granger, Hatty Jones was a major contender for the role. Jones had already gained fame for her starring turn in the live-action film ‘Madeline’. Casting directors looked at thousands of girls before narrowing the search down to a final few. Ultimately, the producers felt Watson possessed the specific screen presence required for the character. Jones did not secure the role and Watson went on to star in all eight films.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Thomas Brodie-Sangster auditioned for the role of Ron Weasley before ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ began production. The actor has since revealed in interviews that the rejection was his first experience with a major professional disappointment. He expressed that he felt he was the right fit for the character during the audition process. Despite the setback, he went on to have a successful career in ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Game of Thrones’. Rupert Grint was chosen to play the youngest Weasley brother instead.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton was approached to play the eccentric Professor Sybill Trelawney in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. She reportedly turned down the offer due to her personal views on boarding schools and her busy schedule. Swinton has spoken openly about her dislike for films that romanticize the boarding school experience. The role of the Divination teacher was eventually offered to Emma Thompson. Thompson debuted as the character in the third installment of the series.
Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant was the original choice to play Gilderoy Lockhart in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. He was officially cast in the role but was forced to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts with the film ‘Two Weeks Notice’. Grant later expressed regret over having to leave the production. The character required a mix of charm and vanity that the actor was known for portraying. Kenneth Branagh was eventually brought in to play the fraudulent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Tim Roth
Tim Roth was the first choice to play Severus Snape in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’. He turned down the iconic role to work with director Tim Burton on the remake of ‘Planet of the Apes’. Roth admitted that he found the idea of being part of a long-term franchise daunting at the time. He has since stated that he has no regrets as he believes Alan Rickman was perfect for the part. Rickman’s performance remains one of the most celebrated in the entire series.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts was heavily rumored to be in talks for the role of Narcissa Malfoy in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. Reports at the time suggested that her agents had entered negotiations with Warner Bros. for the part of Draco Malfoy’s mother. However, the deal never materialized, and the role was eventually given to Helen McCrory. McCrory had previously missed out on a different role in the series due to pregnancy. Watts continued her career in Hollywood without joining the Wizarding World.
Rosamund Pike
Rosamund Pike was offered the role of the gossip journalist Rita Skeeter in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. She reportedly turned it down because she felt the character did not have enough screen time across the series. Pike was concerned about the contractual commitment required for such a small appearance in only one or two films. The role eventually went to Miranda Richardson, who played the character with comedic flair. Pike later achieved major success in films like ‘Gone Girl’.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet was considered for the role of Helena Ravenclaw, also known as The Grey Lady, in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’. Her agent reportedly rejected the offer before the actress even saw it, assuming she would not want to take a minor role. The production was looking for a high-profile British actress to give the ghost character significant weight. Kelly Macdonald was eventually cast to play the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw. Winslet remained one of the few elite British stars to never appear in the series.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan auditioned for the role of Luna Lovegood in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. She was a massive fan of the book series and has described the audition process as a highlight of her early career. Despite her talent, she was considered too young for the role at the time of casting. The part eventually went to Evanna Lynch, who J.K. Rowling felt embodied the character perfectly. Ronan later became a multiple Oscar nominee for other projects.
Ian McKellen
Following the death of Richard Harris, Ian McKellen was approached to take over the role of Albus Dumbledore. McKellen declined the offer because Harris had once publicly criticized his acting style. He felt it would be inappropriate to take over a role from someone who did not approve of his work. McKellen was already associated with a major wizard role as Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Michael Gambon was eventually selected to play Dumbledore for the remaining six films.
Peter O’Toole
Peter O’Toole was another high-profile candidate considered to replace Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore. Harris’s family reportedly expressed interest in seeing O’Toole take the part as the two actors had been close friends. However, concerns regarding O’Toole’s age and health made the long-term commitment of the franchise difficult. The producers eventually moved in a different direction with the casting. This led to Michael Gambon securing the role of the Hogwarts headmaster.
Helen McCrory
Helen McCrory was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. She had to withdraw from the production shortly before filming began because she became pregnant. The role was then handed to Helena Bonham Carter, who portrayed the character until the end of the series. The producers were so impressed with McCrory that they invited her back for the next film. She was eventually cast as Bellatrix’s sister, Narcissa Malfoy.
Bob Hoskins
Bob Hoskins was one of the actors considered for the role of Horace Slughorn in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. The production sought an actor who could capture the character’s mixture of joviality and ambition. Hoskins had the pedigree of a respected British character actor suitable for the ensemble. Ultimately, the role was awarded to Jim Broadbent. Broadbent’s portrayal brought a specific eccentricity to the Potions Master that the director favored.
Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly was considered for the role of Xenophilius Lovegood in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’. The character’s eccentric personality and unique appearance were thought to suit Connolly’s comedic style. However, the production eventually chose Rhys Ifans to play the father of Luna Lovegood. Ifans brought a more ethereal and frantic energy to the role that the director preferred. Connolly never appeared in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise but worked on other major fantasy films.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill auditioned for the role of Cedric Diggory in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. He was a rising star at the time and was considered a strong candidate for the Hufflepuff seeker. Ultimately, the role went to Robert Pattinson, which helped launch Pattinson’s global career. Fans often refer to Cavill as “the unluckiest man in Hollywood” during this period due to missing out on several major roles. He eventually found massive success as Superman in the DC Extended Universe.
Anna Friel
Anna Friel was a top choice among fans and was considered by producers for the role of Nymphadora Tonks. The character debuted in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ and required an actress with high energy. Friel was popular in both the UK and the US at the time due to her work in ‘Pushing Daisies’. However, the role was eventually given to Natalia Tena. Tena’s portrayal of the Metamorphmagus became the definitive version of the character on screen.
Jennifer Saunders
Jennifer Saunders was considered for the role of Narcissa Malfoy during the development of ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. As a legendary figure in British comedy, her name was frequently linked to several adult roles in the series. While she was discussed for the part, the production team ultimately leaned toward a more dramatic actress. Helen McCrory was selected to bring a colder, more serious tone to the Malfoy matriarch. Saunders did not join the wizarding ensemble in any capacity.
Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi was one of the actors who auditioned for the role of Professor Quirrell in the first film. At the time, Capaldi was a well-known character actor but had not yet reached the heights of his later fame. The role required a nervous disposition and a hidden darker side. The part was given to Ian Hart, who provided the stammering performance for the possessed teacher. Capaldi later went on to star in ‘Doctor Who’ as the Twelfth Doctor.
Patrick McGoohan
Patrick McGoohan was the first choice of director Chris Columbus to play Albus Dumbledore. The veteran actor was offered the role but was forced to turn it down due to health concerns. McGoohan had a long career in film and television, most notably in ‘The Prisoner’. Following his decline, the role was offered to Richard Harris. Harris famously only took the part after his granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he refused.
Ray Winstone
Ray Winstone was considered for the role of Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. His tough-guy persona was seen as a potential match for the grizzled auror. However, Winstone was reportedly not interested in the long-term commitment and the heavy makeup requirements. The role was eventually given to Brendan Gleeson. Gleeson’s portrayal of Moody became one of the standout performances of the later films.
Jamie Campbell Bower
Jamie Campbell Bower auditioned for the role of the teenage Tom Riddle in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. Although he did not get the part of Voldemort’s younger self, the casting team was impressed with his look. He was later cast as the young Gellert Grindelwald in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’. This made him one of the few actors to appear in both the original series and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ prequels. Frank Dillane was chosen to play the sixteen-year-old Riddle instead.
Robson Green
Robson Green was a name frequently mentioned by director Chris Columbus for the role of Sirius Black. During the early planning stages for ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’, Green was a prominent television star in the UK. However, when Alfonso Cuarón took over as director, the casting direction shifted. Cuarón preferred Gary Oldman for the role to bring a more dangerous and soulful edge to the character. Oldman’s casting was met with universal acclaim from fans.
David Walliams
David Walliams was considered for the role of Barty Crouch Jr. in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. The comedian and actor was known for his transformative roles on ‘Little Britain’. The part of the Death Eater in disguise required an actor who could handle high-intensity scenes. Ultimately, David Tennant was cast just as he was beginning his rise to stardom. Tennant’s performance in the fourth film remains a memorable turn for the actor.
Bill Nighy
Bill Nighy was a frontrunner for the role of Lucius Malfoy before Jason Isaacs was cast. He was a frequent collaborator with many members of the production team and fit the British acting royalty theme. Nighy joked in several interviews that he was the only British actor who hadn’t been in ‘Harry Potter’ for many years. He eventually joined the cast in the penultimate film as Rufus Scrimgeour. He portrayed the Minister for Magic in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’.
Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof was reportedly considered for the role of Mad-Eye Moody before the production settled on Brendan Gleeson. The musician and activist had limited acting experience but possessed a distinctive look that fit the character’s description. The casting department ultimately decided to go with a more established dramatic actor to handle the complex role. Gleeson brought a specific physical intensity that the director wanted for the fourth film. Geldof did not appear in any other Wizarding World project.
Frank Finlay
Frank Finlay was one of the final candidates considered to replace Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore. He was a veteran of the stage and screen with the requisite gravitas for the headmaster of Hogwarts. The search for a replacement was extensive following the sudden vacancy after the second film. The producers eventually decided that Michael Gambon provided a more energetic take on the character for the upcoming action sequences. Finlay did not join the franchise in any other capacity.
Kristin Scott Thomas
Kristin Scott Thomas was considered for the role of Bellatrix Lestrange during the casting process for the fifth film. She was known for her sophisticated and sharp performances in British cinema. The role required a sense of madness and lethality that Thomas was believed capable of delivering. However, after the initial casting of Helen McCrory fell through, the part was secured by Helena Bonham Carter. Carter’s interpretation of the character became a cornerstone of the villainous ensemble.
Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley was the subject of intense rumors regarding the role of Bellatrix Lestrange in the early 2000s. Tabloids frequently reported that she was in talks to join the cast for ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. Warner Bros. eventually issued a statement to clarify that she had not been cast in the film. The rumors likely stemmed from her high profile in British media at the time. The role was never officially offered to her during production.
Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage auditioned for a role in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film early in his career. While he has never specified which role he went for, he noted that it was a very small part. He did not get cast but later found fame in ‘North & South’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy. Armitage has since become a popular narrator for ‘Harry Potter’ related media and audiobooks. He remains a fan-favorite pick for potential future reboots of the series.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson was rumored for years to be the top choice for Lord Voldemort in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. The rumors were so persistent that his management team eventually had to release a formal denial. Fans were curious to see if the ‘Mr. Bean’ star could take on such a dark and serious role. Ultimately, Ralph Fiennes was cast and provided the definitive portrayal of the Dark Lord. Atkinson never appeared in the series, maintaining his focus on comedy.
Jude Law
Jude Law was discussed for the role of Gilderoy Lockhart when the second film was in development. Producers felt he had the “golden boy” looks and charm necessary for the vain professor. However, at the time, Law was considered a bit too young for the role as it was written. He eventually joined the franchise over a decade later in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series. He took on the role of a younger Albus Dumbledore, finally entering the Wizarding World.
Paul Bettany
Paul Bettany was reportedly in the running to take over the role of Albus Dumbledore after the death of Richard Harris. His name was on a short list of actors who could potentially commit to the long-term nature of the franchise. Bettany was rising in popularity at the time due to his role in ‘A Knight’s Tale’. Ultimately, the role went to Michael Gambon, who was older and fit the traditional image of the character more closely. Bettany later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Vision.
Share your thoughts on which of these actors you would have most liked to see in the Wizarding World in the comments.