Harry Potter Officially Introduces Rita Wilson as Bellatrix Lestrange in New Audible Audio

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The world of Harry Potter is thriving! Fifteen years after the last movie was released, the franchise is continuing with a new, exciting audio adventure featuring a fantastic cast.

The Harry Potter books are now available in two new audiobook versions, previously narrated by the popular Stephen Fry in the UK and Jim Dale in the U.S. Starting in November 2025, Audible and Pottermore Publishing will release a completely new series featuring a large cast of well-known actors. The next book in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will feature Rita Wilson as the character Bellatrix Lestrange.

His Dark Materials Star Takes on the Most Hated Character

The scene, lasting over four minutes, happens right after a particularly heartbreaking moment in Harry Potter: the death of Sirius Black. It follows a battle that began when Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Luna entered the Ministry of Magic’s Department of Mysteries, where they were met by Death Eaters and members of the Order of the Phoenix. During the fight, Sirius was unexpectedly killed by Bellatrix Lestrange.

This short clip shows what happens immediately after Sirius Black’s death. Harry, fueled by grief and anger, chases Bellatrix Lestrange and uses the Cruciatus Curse – a powerful and forbidden spell – against her.

Actress Rita Wilson is the latest to portray Bellatrix Lestrange, a famously disliked character from the series, right up there with Dolores Umbridge and Voldemort. Helena Bonham Carter famously played the role in the original films. Joining Wilson, Keira Knightley will also be making her first appearance as Professor Umbridge.

Harry Potter Continues to Be a Star-Studded Affair

The actors who provide the voices for the beloved characters changed significantly after the third installment. As the story progressed, the characters aged, requiring new voice actors to portray them as slightly older students. Initially, Frankie Tredaway, Max Lester, and voiced Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Later, Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis took over those roles.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always loved how authentically British the Harry Potter films felt, and that really came through in the incredible British and Irish actors they cast. It’s fantastic to see that commitment continuing – not just in the movies, but also in the audiobooks, and now with the new HBO Max series. They’re clearly dedicated to keeping that strong British and Irish acting tradition alive within the Wizarding World, and I, for one, am thrilled about it!

The full-cast audiobooks of Harry Potter boast an incredible lineup of actors, including Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, and Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape. Other notable cast members include Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart, Iwan Rheon as Professor Lupin, Ambika Mod as Nymphadora Tonks, Leo Woodall as Bill Weasley, Simon Pegg as Arthur Weasley, James McAvoy as Mad-Eye Moody, Gemma Whelan as Professor Sprout, Matt Berry as Sir Cadogan, Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall, Mark Addy as Hagrid, Alex Hassell as Lucius Malfoy, Daniel Mays as Dobby, Sara and Avni Deshmukh as the Patil Twins, Bill Nighy as Professor Slughorn, David Holmes as Stan Shunpike, Saoirse-Monic Jackson as Professor Trelawney, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Sirius Black, Anna Maxwell Martin as Rita Skeeter, Mackenzie Crook as Kreacher, Stephen Mangan as Nearly Headless Nick, Tracy-Ann Oberman as Madam Hooch, and Millie Gubby as Luna Lovegood.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is out on Mar. 10.

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2026-03-10 16:36