J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and films took the whole world by storm 20 years ago, but what happened to the beloved characters since? What have Harry and the rest of the Hogwarts students been up to since the global phenomenon ended? Many of them have seen strange twists and turns in their careers. It’s amazing to see how surprisingly different the lives of the Harry Potter actors are now.
Gregory Goyle – Josh Herdman
Gregory Goyle may have been a gormless goon in the Harry Potter films, but Josh Herdman is a mixed martial artist in real life. He followed in his father Martin Herdman’s footsteps by becoming an actor but also pursuing a separate career.
While his father was a Rugby league footballer, Josh chose to learn MMA. However, he is also still an actor, with roles in the 2018 Robin Hood film as well as British detective series Marcella and action TV series Alex Rider.
Pansy Parkinson – Scarlett Byrne
Scarlett Byrne began her acting career long before she was cast as supporting character Pansy Parkinson. The character was a mean Slytherin character, featuring in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
She’s since starred in Falling Skies, Runaways, The Vampire Diaries, and Skybound. Byrne is now working on Stick and Poke, a short film about the art of the hand-poked tattoo. She is also expecting her first child with Playboy heir Cooper Hefner, who she married in November 2019.
Neville Longbottom – Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis landed the role of Neville Longbottom when he was 12 years old, although he started acting when he was five. An awkward, clumsy boy in the first few movies, Neville Longbottom magically transformed into one of the bravest of Gryffindor.
The actor shocked fans with his real-life glow up from a goofy-looking kid to a poster boy. He has since starred in The Syndicate, Bluestone 42, Me Before You, and Terminal. He even starred in the music video of “Filth” by A Band of Buriers.
Hermione Granger – Emma Watson
Muggle-born Hermione Granger, the brightest and most compassionate witch of her age, was played by Emma Watson to critical acclaim. After the Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson went on to star in movies such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women.
During this time, she also succeeded in getting a bachelor’s degree in English literature and launching the HeForShe campaign as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador. She calls for boys and men to advocate gender equality.
Gilderoy Lockhart – Kenneth Branagh
If there was anything consistent in the Harry Potter franchise, it has to be the fact that they would bring a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in every movie. Kenneth was brought in on The Chamber of Secrets, and he was one of the most notable additions to the franchise’s crew of British actors.
Besides his role in Harry Potter, he directed and starred in a number of Shakespearean adaptations, including Henry V, Othello, Hamlet, and more, winning numerous nominations for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
Remus Lupin – David Thewlis
This fierce wolf might have seemed like an enemy of Harry’s in The Prisoner of Azkaban, but Remus soon became a close ally. Funnily enough, David Thewlis actually auditioned to play Peter Pettigrew but ultimately landed the part of Remus instead.
Since his time as Remus, Thewlis has stayed very busy in both film and TV, appearing in movies such as Wonder Woman. He also had a prominent role in season three of Fargo as the villain VM Varga. Thewlis will also star in Avatar 3.
Cho Chang – Katie Leung
Early on in the story, Harry actually develops a close bond with Cho Chang, so much so that in The Order of the Phoenix, they end up having a pretty steamy kiss! Right in front of Cedric Diggory’s picture as well!
Truth be told, the Harry Potter films are the biggest features that Chang has been a part of. Though she did have a minor role in the film T2 Trainspotting as a nurse. She has also done a lot of theater work since.
Peter Pettigrew – Timothy Spall
Who could forget good old Peter Pettigrew? This seemingly friendly individual ends up revealing himself as the guy who can transform into a rat and ultimately helped Voldermort come back into power.
Since hanging up his rat suit, Spall has starred in films such as Alice Through the Looking Glass. His role in the film Mr. Turner also earned him many accolades. Spall will reprise the voice role of Nick in the upcoming sequel to the classic animation film Chicken Run.
Mad-Eye Moody – Brendan Gleeson
It’s not just Domhnall Gleeson who was involved in the Harry Potter series. His dad, Brendan Gleeson, had an even more integral role in the films, playing the eccentric Mad-Eye Moody. Sadly, Alastor passes in The Deathly Hallows Part 1 while helping Harry in the Battle of the Seven Potters.
While his sons have nearly eclipsed him in terms of fame, Brendan Gleeson has still remained busy in the world of acting. The Irish star has appeared in movies such as Calvary, Edge of Tomorrow, and Paddington 2, to name a few!
Sybill Trelawney – Emma Thompson
Best remembered for her crazy eyes, Sybill Trelawney is the Divination teacher who first appears in The Prisoner of Azkaban. She also appears in The Order of the Phoenix, as well as The Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Shortly after concluding her role as Sybill, Emma Thompson landed the role of Agent O in the blockbuster Men in Black III. Since then, she has starred in films such as Saving Mr. Banks and Bridget Jones’s Baby. She will also star in the movie Cruella.
