Good news this morning as CBBC Newsround can confirm some casting news for the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" film. Actress Helen McCrory will play the part of Narcissa Malfoy, the wife of Death Eater Lucius Malfoy. Newsround reminds us that Ms McCrory "was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in the fifth Potter movie, but couldn't play the part because she was expecting a baby."
Also, the site reports that an"announcement on who will play young Tom Riddle and Lavender Brown is expected very soon."
Helen McCrory has appeared in "Anna Karenina" for PBS, as well as The Count of Monte Cristo, and was most recently seen in the hit films "The Queen," and "Becoming Jane," which also co-starred Julie Walters (Molly Weasley) and Dame Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall).UPDATE: You can now see some additional photos of Helen McCrory here in our galleries.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is currently in production and will be released in theaters November 21, 2008.
After I read Deathly Hallows, I thought Helen would be a natural choice to play Andromeda.
She’s not really what I’d pictured for Narcissa, but as people have already noted, hair and makeup does wonders. Also, as the producers clearly want her to be in the films, I think that says good things about her skills.
Exactly my feelings as well. Not my vision of Narcissa, not at all. I picture a tall, very thin, pale looking blonde. I am glad to see that I am not the only one feeling that way :-)
Cate Blanchett (as someone mentioned) is an interesting choice for Narcissa. What about Tilda Swinton, who is very good at the uncompromising “glacial” stare! I can see her clearly in the scenes where Voldemort takes Lucius’ wand and then when she checks Harry’s heart.
As for Bellatrix, I had thought HBC would be too “soft” looking, but she was wonderful and utterly insane. Loved her costume coming apart at the seams, too. Wasn’t crazy about her hair, though. Too much like a fright wig.
I still picture Siobhan Fahey (recall the Shakespear’s Sister video, “Stay”) as Bellatrix when I read the books. Fahey’s got the best-ever wicked smile.
Choosing Helen McCroy playing Narcissa Malfoy – is a solomon-like decision! I can absolutely live with that – and I am sure she will appear blond, since her “son Draco” is blond!!! I have seen Helen in the above mentioned movies – I enjoyed her especially as “Tony Blair’s wife”! But most important – we will have “Spinner’s End” in HBP. Prepare yourself’s Professor Snape fans ;-)
I am honestly not that pleased with their casting. But then again, make-up artists can do a whole lot of “magic” and turn virtually anyone into character. I don’t understand why they can’t cast someone who’s equally talented and who already looks the part already as well. Is that too difficult? Oh well. I hope she does a great job, though.
I hate this. I don’t think she’s pretty enough, she’s just wrong for the part. No offence to Helen fans. But she was wrong for Bellatrix, she’s even worse for Narcissa!
Gutted. I’m sorry. But this is SO wrong it’s just unbelievable. How could they make such a HUGE casting error.
Helen McCroy is a fantastic actress, don’t get me wrong, but she is SO WRONG for the role of Narcissa. She’s not pretty enough. She’s not thin enough. She looks too old. She’s not snooty enough and doesn’t fit the Narcissa mould.
I have to admit, I wanted the role myself – tried for years to get it but I have no agent so… no luck. I admit, I’m only 18 and don’t exactly look spot on, but even I’d have been better than her.
My friend was on the verge of tears when she told me this news.
McCroy wasn’t right for Bellatrix, let alone Narcissa. That is the worst choice they’ve made so far.
I think WB can virtually make anyone female to play Narcissa if they wanted to, really. They’ve got enough money, after all. I just don’t get the point. I’m sure we’ll “learn” how to love her as Narcissa, or at least most of us, since our fandom’s pretty resilient after all.
As of now, though, I’m just disappointed. They could’ve EASILY chosen someone who FITS and looks the part perfectly.
Mad-Eye Moody was sniffing at a chicken leg with what remained of his nose; evidently he could not detect any trace of poison, because he then tore a strip off it with his teeth.
After I read Deathly Hallows, I thought Helen would be a natural choice to play Andromeda.
She’s not really what I’d pictured for Narcissa, but as people have already noted, hair and makeup does wonders. Also, as the producers clearly want her to be in the films, I think that says good things about her skills.