Harry Potter turns 25: Where the original cast is now — and remembering those we lost along the way
After all this time? Always. Twenty-five years ago this fall, a scrawny child with a lightning-bolt scar stepped off a train at Platform 9¾ and changed the movie business forever. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone opened in November 2001 and, over the next decade, built one of the most stacked ensembles ever assembled, an unlikely mix of unknown child actors and the finest of British stage…
In November 2001, a young Harry Potter stepped off a train at Platform 9¾ and changed the movie industry forever. The film introduced an ensemble cast that included Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, along with a host of other talented actors. To mark the 25th anniversary, Warner Bros. is celebrating with a theatrical re-release of the first film and previews of an upcoming HBO reboot. This is the perfect opportunity to take a look at where everyone is now.
Daniel Radcliffe, now 37, has worked hard to prove he never wanted to be typecast as The Boy Who Lived. He has taken on a diverse range of roles, from a flatulent corpse in Swiss Army Man to a Broadway star, winning a Tony for Merrily We Roll Along. He has also found love, marrying actress Erin Darke in 2012 and becoming a father to a young son.
Emma Watson, 36, took a different path. She stepped back from the spotlight after Little Women in 2019, pursuing a doctorate at Oxford. She remains active as a UN Women advocate through the HeForShe campaign she launched. Occasionally, she can still be seen at fashion events and the Cannes film festival.
Rupert Grint, 38, has built a varied career since the end of the Potter franchise. His psychological horror film Nightborn has been praised at various film festivals, and he is set to star alongside Johnny Depp in Ebenezer, a reimagining of A Christmas Carol. He and longtime partner Georgia Groome have two children together.
The supporting cast has also found success. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, has worked in both blockbusters and independent films, even returning to the wizarding world on stage as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Matthew Lewis, known as Neville Longbottom, has kept a lower profile with television work. Evanna Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood, has competed on Dancing with the Stars and remains an outspoken advocate for animal rights and eating disorder recovery. Bonnie Wright, Ginny Weasley, has ventured into directing and still attends fan events.
Behind the scenes, Fred and George Weasley have remained close to the fanbase, participating in conventions and podcasting about the franchise. James and Oliver Phelps have also stayed connected to the Potter fandom. Mark Williams, Arthur Weasley, continues to work steadily in British television. Emma Thompson, who played Professor Trelawney, continues to command the screen.
The cast also mourned the loss of several notable actors. Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape, passed away in 2016 at the age of 69. Richard Harris, the original Dumbledore, died in 2002, just a year after the first film's release. Michael Gambon, who took over as Dumbledore for the remaining films, died in 2023 after battling pneumonia.
Robbie Coltrane, forever Hagrid, passed away in 2022 at the age of 72. Dame Maggie Smith, the formidable Professor McGonagall, died in 2024 at the age of 89. Their absence has been deeply felt since the reunion of the original cast.
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