7 Actors You Forgot Were in Harry Potter Movies

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Even if you’re a huge Harry Potter fan, you might be surprised by some of the faces in the movies! Over the course of eight films, many minor characters appeared, and it’s easy to forget them. What’s fascinating is that a lot of those actors have become famous stars since then! If you enjoy spotting familiar faces in older movies, rewatching Harry Potter to see these actors before they hit it big is definitely worthwhile.

You might be surprised to learn that several actors you’ve likely forgotten were part of the Harry Potter films! These weren’t just minor roles either – these performers actually played a part in bringing the wizarding world to life on screen.

7) Michelle Fairley

You may not immediately recognize the name Michelle Fairley, but you’ve definitely seen her work. She played Hermione Granger’s mother in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 in a very moving scene. However, the scene focuses so much on Hermione’s emotional experience that most viewers don’t register who plays her mother, and Fairley’s performance fades into the background. The scene is powerful, but it’s easy to not connect the face to the actress or her career.

Where did you first see her? Most people recognize her from Game of Thrones, where she powerfully played Catelyn Stark, the mother of the Stark family. She was a captivating presence in every scene until her tragic fate at the Red Wedding.

6) Regé-Jean Page

You might be surprised to learn that Regé-Jean Page did appear in a Harry Potter film! It’s easy to miss—he’s a background character at Bill and Fleur’s wedding in Deathly Hallows – Part 1. He’s just one of the wedding guests, with a very brief appearance and no lines. It’s hard to even notice him, especially since the scene moves quickly. It’s amazing to think that this extra would later become famous as the lead in Bridgerton!

Those kinds of small roles really stand out after an actor becomes famous. Now that Page is so well-known for his captivating performances, it’s amusing to revisit earlier work and try to find him in that scene.

5) Julie Christie

Julie Christie is a celebrated British film star, famous for roles in movies like Don’t Look Now and Doctor Zhivago. While she’s a highly respected actress, her appearance in the Harry Potter films—as Madam Rosmerta, the owner of The Three Broomsticks pub in Prisoner of Azkaban—didn’t draw much attention to her previous work, and many fans, particularly younger ones, might not recognize her.

Throughout the story, her main purpose is to reveal details about Sirius Black through conversations. However, the movie focuses so much on creating a gloomy atmosphere that both the character and the actress playing her are largely overlooked.

4) Freddie Stroma

You might recognize Freddie Stroma as Cormac McLaggen from the Harry Potter films, though he’s not a hugely memorable character. He first appears in Half-Blood Prince as an annoying Quidditch player who doesn’t understand social cues, particularly when it comes to Hermione. While he’s in the next two movies as well, McLaggen doesn’t develop much beyond being a somewhat irritating, but ultimately forgettable, presence.

These days, most people recognize Stroma for his roles in shows like Peacemaker, Bridgerton, and The Boys, where he plays characters who are intentionally charming or humorous. Compared to that, his part in the Harry Potter films was designed to be unremarkable, and audiences largely overlooked him – just as intended.

3) Hero Fiennes Tiffin

You might not immediately recognize him, but Hero Fiennes Tiffin played a young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – during the scene where Dumbledore visits the orphanage. While that scene is important for understanding Voldemort’s backstory, it’s brief and doesn’t give viewers much time to notice the actor. Most people now know Tiffin as the star of the After movie series, which really launched his career. He’s worked on other projects, but After is what made him famous.

Honestly, when I see him in Harry Potter now, it’s more of a surprise – like, ‘Oh, he was in it?’ – rather than me remembering his performance specifically. He does a perfectly good job with the scene, but it feels like all the impact comes from the character of Tom Riddle himself, not necessarily the actor playing him. It’s also pretty cool to learn he’s actually Ralph Fiennes’ nephew – the guy who played Voldemort!

2) Ciarán Hinds

We learn more about Dumbledore’s history towards the end of the Harry Potter series, particularly in Deathly Hallows – Part 2. It’s there we meet his brother, Aberforth, played by Ciarán Hinds. Aberforth appears early in the final battle, helping Harry, Ron, and Hermione escape Death Eaters when they hide in his pub, the Hog’s Head. He shares details about his family’s past, guides the trio back into Hogwarts using a secret passage, and then steps back before the main battle begins.

Everything moves so quickly that viewers don’t really get a good sense of the character. It’s ironic, because the actor, Robert Hinds, is very well-known from shows like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Rome, and Game of Thrones – he often plays powerful figures. However, his character in Harry Potter appears so briefly that he doesn’t leave a strong impression. When people recall the scene, they remember what happens, rather than the actor playing Aberforth.

1) Jamie Campbell Bower

Jamie Campbell Bower has become a global star thanks to his role in Stranger Things. However, dedicated fans will remember him from earlier roles in Twilight and The Mortal Instruments. He even appeared as a young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. Though a visually striking character, his Grindelwald was more of a glimpse into Dumbledore’s history than a fully developed role. Before the Fantastic Beasts series, Grindelwald was largely a mysterious figure from Dumbledore’s past, with limited opportunity to shine.

You know, looking back at his early work, it’s funny—a lot of people probably missed this one little part he played. It’s amazing to scroll through his filmography and see that, alongside all those blockbusters, he actually appeared in a Harry Potter movie! It really puts things in perspective.

Were you familiar with any of the actors featured? And who else do you think deserves to be included? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-22 22:16