David Bradley and Jim Broadbent in ‘Game of Thrones’ Season Opening

Jul 18, 2017

Posted by: Emma Pocock

Bradley, Broadbent, News

Both David Bradley (Argus Filch) and Jim Broadbent (Professor Slughorn) featured in the first episode of the new season of Game of Thrones this week, and a slight Harry Potter reference didn’t go amiss amongst fans of our beloved series!

Returning character Walder Frey isn’t the nicest guy (understatement of the century), but David Bradley certainly didn’t appear to disappoint in being true to character his opening scene of the season. Bradley also recently featured in Doctor Who, and will return in the Christmas special where the new Doctor (Broadchurch‘s Jodie Whittaker, who coincidentally played alongside Potter and Doctor Who alumni David Tennant) will make her – YES, HER! – debut.

Broadbent also debuted his role as Archmaester Marwyn, or Marwyn the Mage – a pretty cool (but pretty intense) scholar who basically guards the restricted section of the citadel’s library of dark books on magic and history. Of course, Slughorn having been the Professor who opened up the restricted section to Tom Riddle, it’s not hard to see the similarities to his character in Potter! Sam basically 100% became Riddle asking about horcruxes, but with better intentions of course. Must’ve given Broadbent some Déjà vu!

He has said on what to expect of Marwyn:

“I’m a maester, an archmaester. I’m an old professor character. I did five episodes. I did sort of one major scene in each episode.”

Fans were quick to make the comparison to Slughorn, of course:

This one even includes a Bradley/Filch gif!

Broadbent previously described the show as follows:

“A misshapen Great Britain! History in miniature. And, just, narratives. People love narratives! Broad, but also subtle.”

Previous seasons of the show have also hosted Potter alumni Natalia Tena (Tonks), Michelle Farley (Mrs Granger), Ciarán Hinds (Aberforth Dumbledore), Julian Glover (voice of Aragog), Ralph Ineson (Amycus Carrow), Bronson Webb (appeared briefly as Draco’s friend Pike in Prisoner of Azkaban), Edward Tudor-Pole (Borgin in the deleted scenes / extended edition of Chamber of Secrets) and Ian Whyte (full-body shots for Madame Maxime in Goblet of Fire).

What are you looking forward to seeing in the penultimate season of the show? Did you pick up on the Potter comparison? We’ll let you know if any more Potter actors rear their heads this season!





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.