As a devoted fan of the magical world that J.K. Rowling weaved so beautifully, I find it absolutely captivating to trace the remarkable journeys of the actors who breathed life into our beloved characters from the Harry Potter series. One such enchanting transformation is that of Julie Walters, who embodied Molly Weasley with such warmth and grace.
Following the massive success of the initial “Harry Potter” film, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” it was nearly destined that a follow-up would be produced since four books in the beloved children’s series were already available. Consequently, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” reunited the cast from the previous film with some fresh faces to narrate Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During this time, a creature from the ominous “Chamber of Secrets” began causing havoc among students at the magical school.
Regrettably, a few actors who starred in “Chamber of Secrets” within the “Harry Potter” series have since passed away. Richard Harris, who portrayed Albus Dumbledore in both “Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Chamber of Secrets,” died during the early stages of the franchise (he was replaced by Michael Gambon for the third film, “Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban”). Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape, passed away in 2016 following the completion of all eight films, and Robbie Coltrane, known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid, passed away in 2022. Fortunately, many other cast members of “Chamber of Secrets” are still active in their careers years after its release. So, where are they now? What do they look like today?
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)
Daniel Radcliffe had already turned twelve when he assumed the character of “Harry Potter” for the initial film, eventually becoming a globally recognized figure by the time he reappeared in “Chamber of Secrets.” Accompanying his fellow actors Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, Radcliffe essentially matured on the “Harry Potter” set. However, as he grew older, he was determined not to be limited by the role. Notably, during his tenure on “Harry Potter,” Radcliffe made a bold move by starring in the play “Equus,” which featured him in both London’s West End and Broadway productions. This role demanded full nudity, demonstrating early on that he was prepared to take substantial creative risks at a relatively young age.
Currently, Radcliffe is experiencing a flourishing phase of his career. In 2011, he demonstrated his versatility by starring in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on Broadway, showcasing his dancing and singing skills. This role was followed by several other stage appearances, culminating in his first Tony Award win for his supporting role in the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” by Stephen Sondheim. Radcliffe has also been active on both the big and small screens. He starred across four seasons of the anthology series “Miracle Workers,” portraying a variety of characters from a priest to an inept angel, alongside Steve Buscemi. His diverse roles range from quirky films like “Swiss Army Man” to romantic comedies like “What If.” Remarkably, he even took on the role of “Weird” Al Yankovic in the 2022 satirical biopic “Weird,” showcasing his ability to transition from playing Harry Potter to such an unconventional character.
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)
In “The Philosopher’s Stone,” Harry finds himself all by himself on the enchanted Hogwarts Express until a spirited red-haired boy asks to join his compartment. From then on, Harry and this lad, Ron Weasley, become inseparable friends. Ron is witty, more intelligent than he might appear, and proves indispensable to Harry. Additionally, the fact that he comes from an extensive family who eventually takes in Harry as one of their own adds to their bond. At a young age, Rupert Grint brought a sense of lightheartedness and humor to Ron, making him the ideal pick for the part.
Since the “Harry Potter” movies ended in 2011, Grint, similar to Radcliffe, didn’t hold back on other projects. He acted in films like “Thunderpants,” “Driving Lessons,” and “Cherrybomb” while the franchise was still running. Interestingly, Grint took a break from acting for a while to pursue his childhood dream of being an ice cream vendor – yes, he actually bought an ice cream truck!
Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)
In the main group of three characters, Emma Watson portrays Hermione Granger, an exceptionally intelligent Muggleborn student who initially annoys both Harry and Ron when they first encounter her. However, after their joint encounter with a troll in the dungeon during “Sorcerer’s Stone,” they become an unbreakable trio. Throughout this journey, Hermione’s vast knowledge and quick wit save them from numerous perilous situations. In books like “Goblet of Fire” and movies that follow, she demonstrates her prowess by teaching Harry a flawless Summoning Charm or concocting intricate Polyjuice Potions to help the group unravel school mysteries, such as the secret behind the monster in “Chamber of Secrets.” Hermione consistently embraces mental challenges.
Besides her well-known roles in the “Harry Potter” series, Emma Watson also worked on various other projects during its run. These include a role in the British TV movie “Ballet Shoes,” a voice role in “The Tales of Despereaux,” and subsequent appearances in films like “My Week With Marilyn” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” In more recent years, Watson has taken on significant roles such as Belle in the live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast” and Meg March in Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of “Little Women.
Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart)
Apart from recurring characters, “Chamber of Secrets” introduced some fresh faces in the Harry Potter series, such as Kenneth Branagh portraying the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Sadly, like other professors in that position, Lockhart only appeared in a single Potter movie because the role is cursed. From the moment he appears, it’s evident that Lockhart is a real disaster; his books are filled with exaggerated tales of heroic deeds, and when it comes to actually performing as a teacher, he’s abysmal. Later, Ron and Harry uncover that Lockhart fabricated all those heroic feats – he found people who genuinely achieved them, obtained their stories, then used Memory Charms to make them forget both their victories and his presence. Eventually, Lockhart suffers the consequences of one of his own Memory Charms, which offers a darkly gratifying moment.
Kenneth Branagh is not just a renowned British actor known for roles in productions like “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Valkyrie,” but he’s also a laureate director. Throughout his career, he has directed films such as Marvel’s “Thor,” the 2015 remake of “Cinderella,” several Agatha Christie adaptations including “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Death on the Nile,” and “A Haunting in Venice,” where he also played Poirot. His most recent work, “Belfast,” an autobiographical film set during the turbulent times of Northern Ireland in the late 1960s, earned him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling)
In the story, Harry’s distasteful Muggle cousin Dudley Dursley is portrayed by Harry Melling. Dudley is the son of Harry’s aunt Petuna (Fiona Shaw) and her husband Vernon (the late Richard Griffiths). Although Dudley doesn’t have a significant role in “Chamber of Secrets,” he appears in scenes where Dobby the House Elf (voiced by Toby Jones) visits the Dursley household to prevent Harry from going back to Hogwarts. Throughout the “Potter” series, Melling can be seen in several films, but post-films, he has significantly expanded his acting portfolio.
Following his significant weight loss before the filming of “Deathly Hallows – Part 1,” Melling, who previously played Dudley in the Harry Potter series, informed The Telegraph that he was content to move on from the role: “I can now discard the child actor identity, like the excess pounds, and embark on a fresh career, as people no longer perceive me as Dudley.” Post his stint as Dudley, Melling appeared in the 2016 drama “The Lost City of Z” and collaborated with the Coen brothers for the first time in “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018). In 2021, he worked alongside Joel Coen individually on “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” a production led by Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; Melling portrayed the crucial role of Malcolm, heir to the late king. He has also assumed villainous roles in “The Old Guard,” an odd preacher in “The Devil All the Time,” and American literary icon Edgar Allan Poe in “The Pale Blue Eye.” You might recall Melling from his role as Harry Beltik in “The Queen’s Gambit,” where he played a state chess champion who became a friend and ally to chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy).
Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)
From the very start in “Sorcerer’s Stone,” it’s evident that Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) embodies a villainous character, and his behavior only worsens in “Chamber of Secrets.” Draco, who is Harry Potter’s adversary from Slytherin House, becomes so reprehensible that Harry, Ron, and Hermione begin to speculate if he could be the descendant of Salazar Slytherin, which would imply his role in opening the concealed Chamber of Secrets and releasing a lethal basilisk that menaces Muggleborn students at the school. Although this isn’t true, Draco remains a pesky little troublemaker who continually complicates Harry’s life at every opportunity – and Felton portrays him flawlessly, sneering and whining his way through each of his appearances as Draco in all the “Harry Potter” films.
After the success of “Harry Potter,” Tom Felton has continued to maintain a busy acting career, featuring in films such as “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Belle,” and the 2018 Shakespeare adaptation “Ophelia,” where he shared the screen with Daisy Ridley portraying the tragic Ophelia. On television, Felton made recurring appearances in Season 3 of “The Flash” as Julian Albert (also known as Alchemy) and took on the leading role of Logan Maine in the science fiction series “Origin.” In 2022, he published his memoir titled “Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard,” with an affectionate introduction from his friend and fellow Potter alum Emma Watson.
Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley)
In “Chamber of Secrets,” Harry gets properly acquainted with the Weasley family, particularly Ron’s parents, during summer vacation. Although he already knows Ron, his brothers Fred and George, and Percy from “Sorcerer’s Stone,” their encounter in this story is more official. This happens when Ron, Fred, and George rescue Harry from captivity at the Dursley residence. When Harry encounters Arthur Weasley, the family’s patriarch (portrayed by Mark Williams), he finds him home from work late at the Ministry of Magic. Arthur seems delighted to learn that the flying Ford Anglia Harry enchanted managed to fly from the Dursleys’ in Little Whinging all the way to The Burrow, despite his feigned disapproval towards his sons for attempting it. This suggests that Arthur has a soft spot for enchanting Muggle items.
Prior to his role as Harry Potter, Williams was most famously recognized for his performance as the stammering actor in the 1998 film “Shakespeare in Love.” Following his portrayal of Arthur, he has appeared in films such as “Albert Nobbs” and television shows like “Doctor Who,” “Midsomar Murders,” and since 2013, has starred in the British series “Father Brown,” which follows a Catholic priest who also solves murders.
Dame Julie Walters (Molly Weasley)
Initially, Molly Weasley (played by Dame Julie Walters) appears to be a firm mother who is always trying to discipline her mischievous children, particularly Fred and George, but when it comes to Harry, she becomes incredibly affectionate, ensuring he’s well-nourished and cared for. In the fifth book, “Order of the Phoenix,” she openly considers Harry as her own son. Interestingly, Molly is not only a loving mother but also a potent witch who mainly employs her abilities in domestic duties. She showcases her strength as a fighter less frequently; when Harry first encounters her, she prepares a generous breakfast for him while scolding her sons for breaking into the Dursleys’ house.
In the year 2014, three years after wrapping up her role as Molly Weasley, Julie Walters took on another popular franchise based on a cherished British children’s book titled “Paddington.” She portrayed Mrs. Bird in the highly acclaimed sequel “Paddington 2” released in 2017. Notably, this versatile actress has also starred in the movies “Mamma Mia!” and its sequel “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” and a 2020 adaptation of “The Secret Garden.” Similar to her “Potter” co-star Dame Maggie Smith, Walters was honored with the title of Dame in 2017.
Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy)
In “Chamber of Secrets”, we encounter another significant character, Lucius Malfoy, portrayed by Jason Isaacs. He’s Draco’s father, a man of wealth and connections who seems to look down on almost everyone. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Lucius is far from innocent. In fact, he orchestrates some mischief throughout “Chamber of Secrets”. It’s later discovered that he secretly places a magical diary in Ginny Weasley’s possessions. If Harry Potter hadn’t uncovered his scheme, the diary would have falsely implicated Ginny as the one opening the Chamber of Secrets. In the film adaptation, Lucius even attempts to harm Harry after the young wizard frees Dobby, Lucius’ mistreated house elf, by giving him a sock (this event is not present in the book). This act serves as a stark reminder of Lucius Malfoy’s true evil nature.
In addition to being a prominent figure in British cinema, Isaac has remained active post-“Deathly Hallows — Part 2”. On the silver screen, you can find him in recent blockbusters such as “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”, and on television, he’s taken on both lead and supporting roles in productions like “The OA,” “Awake,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Sex Education,” “The Great,” and “The Crowded Room”. In 2023, he assumed the role of acting legend Cary Grant in the mini-series “Archie”, which delves into Grant’s life story.
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2024-09-27 21:00