What can we say about Alan Rickman on the anniversary of the late actor’s birthday? First and foremost, we in the Harry Potter fandom fondly remember him as Severus Snape. The association is inextricable and one we would not try to separate. Rickman was perfectly cast and, famously, the only actor specifically sought out by …read more!

Poor Ginny.  She gets to marry her childhood crush, Harry Potter, in the end, but she also inspires some of the most divided opinions amongst fans.  Some readers just never warmed up to her.  They wanted Harry to marry Hermione, or they “shipped” him with other characters, everyone from Luna to Draco.  Ginny had the …read more!

Today we celebrate Warwick Davis’ 48th birthday–and what a splendid 48 years it’s been! Within the Harry Potter fandom Davis is most well-known for playing multiple characters in the wizarding world: a Goblin bank teller at Gringotts, Professor Filius Flitwick and, later, the duplicitous goblin Griphook. He played each with appropriate humor, seriousness and aplomb–as …read more!

Few of us would want to wish Dolores Umbridge a Happy Birthday (26 August, in case you’re one of the few) but that sentiment should not carry over to the talented British actress who brought the witch we love to hate to life.  Imelda Staunton, whose full name is akin to Dumbledore’s lengthy moniker: Imelda Mary …read more!

Though Eddie Redmayne looks like he may have struck a deal with Nicholas Flamel while in Paris last year, he actually celebrates his 36th birthday today! The ever-youthful actor has been involved in the dramatic arts since childhood and won his first professional theatrical role at the age of 20. Since that time he has …read more!

Jude Law first came onto the Potter scene in April with the announcement that thrilled the fandom–he would portray the young Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts sequel, now named Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. We must wait one excruciatingly long year before the film hits theaters and we get to see Law in action as …read more!

Whatever quibbles, major or minor, each of us may have with the Harry Potter films, most everyone can agree that the casting was spot-on.  Each of the notable British actors chosen to personify the books’ characters rose to the challenge of measuring up to the image we had each formed in our mind’s eye whilst …read more!

Ralph Fiennes is most well known to Potter fans for his portrayal of Lord Voldemort, one of the darkest wizards in history. He brought the infamous villain to life in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and both parts of …read more!

Gilderoy Lockhart’s alter-ego turns 57 on December 10th. Although most famous for his adaptations of Shakespeare, Belfast native Branagh is a versatile actor who could not have been more perfect for the part of narcissistic fraud Lockhart.  With his ageing, slightly dissipated good looks, Branagh was able to carry off Lockhart at his most dashing …read more!

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Harry Potter alum Alfred Enoch, known to fans as Gryffindor Dean Thomas. He’ll always hold a special place in our hearts for so gracefully portraying one of Harry’s chums, Ginny’s first date, a fellow member of Dumbledore’s Army, and a brave participant in the Battle of Hogwarts. After completing …read more!