It’s that time again, Potter fans! We’re wishing Rupert Grint, the actor behind the loveable and loyal Ron Weasley, a very happy birthday. In celebration, let’s take a moment to recall how he so perfectly captured the character and continues to prove to us through his current successes that casting magic was achieved the day he …read more!

Mark Williams, the English actor who played Harry Potter’s favorite father figure, celebrates his 58th birthday today. Who among us disagrees that Muggle-loving wizard Arthur Weasley wasn’t the most functional nurturing adult male in Harry’s life? He may have been a bit eccentric and his post at the Ministry of Magic definitely encouraged his interesting …read more!

Helen McCrory, the popular English actress who is best known to the Potter fandom as Slytherin matriarch Narcissa Malfoy, celebrates her 49th birthday today. Before we take a look at what McCrory’s been up to since her days in the Potterverse, let’s examine her Wizarding World character a bit further. First off, the name “Narcissa”– …read more!

Today we wish a very happy birthday to LeakyCon special guest, the wonderful Evanna Lynch! Whether through her acting, her activism or just being her truest self, Evanna Lynch has always been an inspiration. She entered into the world of Harry Potter as a diehard fan of the series, and was not just lucky to get, but …read more!

Ginny Weasley turns 36 today—August 11, 2017. Weren’t you pleased when you found out that “Ginny” was short for “Ginevra” and not “Virginia”?  No offence to the Virginias out there—that’s a lovely name as well.  It’s just that Virginia is probably what you assumed her full name to be; Ginevra was unexpected.  And that’s what …read more!

Katie Leung, the Scottish film and stage actress best known to Potter fans as Harry’s first love interest Cho Chang, celebrates her 30th birthday today. As reported here by Leaky, Leung will also be a special guest at this year’s LeakyCon in Dublin, Ireland Aug 31-September 3 along with fellow Potter alumni Evanna Lynch who …read more!

Richard Griffiths, the late English stage, film, and television actor, is best known to the Potter fandom as Harry’s intolerant muggle Uncle Vernon Dursley. On what would have been the actor’s 70th birthday, which by the way, he shared with Harry Potter, himself, and his creator, J.K. Rowling, let’s take a moment to look back …read more!

Today marks J.K. Rowling’s 52nd birthday! This year, 20 years after the publication of the very first Harry Potter book and 10 years after the publication of Deathly Hallows, what better time to thank her for all the memories, friendships, discussions, experiences and changes she’s created across the world. Though often regarded as intensely private, …read more!

In recent years, the fandom has often downplayed Harry Potter’s strengths in favor of analyzing his flaws. Eventually, we also downplayed his contribution to the victory over Voldemort in favor of praising his friends. Somehow, the trend gave rise to the sentiment that hailing Harry as the hero of the story diminished the roles of Ron and …read more!

Neville could quip that he’s the boy who LOL’d.  He lacked both confidence and coordination when he went to Hogwarts but advanced in both skill and self-esteem to the point of having a crucial leadership position, and playing key practical and symbolic roles in the defeat of Voldemort. Fans of the films often note admiringly that puberty was kind to …read more!