Stars you didn’t realise had cameos in Harry Potter films from Jesy Nelson to Bridgerton and Game of Thrones actors

THERE’S enough spell-binding action to keep viewers entertained for years in the Harry Potter films – so you’ll be forgiven for missing a cameo by a major star.

While the main cast is packed full of Hollywood legends, it turns out there are also several recognisable faces with smaller roles in the movies too.

And the latest revelation is that Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer appeared in the first film, The Philosopher’s Stone.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Dani for a brief moment behind Oliver Wood at the table, shortly after Hermione delivered a line. And sure enough, the actress later confirmed it was her on Twitter.

But she’s far from the first famous face to crop up in the wizarding world – with everyone from Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson, to GMB’S Ben Shephard and even top stars like Julie Christie and John Cleese playing their small but important parts in the films.

Here we reveal the other star cameo performances.

Ben Shephard

Susanna Reid was left stunned in 2019 – along with a lot of the UK – when it was revealed her Good Morning Britain co-host Ben Shephard, 46, appeared in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Ben enjoyed a short role as an unnamed wizard in the popular franchise’s sixth film, described simply as ‘Diagon Alley Father’.

Introducing a competition on GMB, from the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour, Andi Peters said: “You of all people should know where I am, Ben – you have dressed up and been here!

Andi continued: “Here is living proof of Ben in costume when he was here. Ben was in the movie Half Blood Prince – one of the Harry Potter movies – and that’s exactly where I am right now.”

Ben also appeared in Friends as a “background artist” in one episode too.

Jesy Nelson

She is best known for her incredible singing career in Little Mix, before her recent exit from the band, but Jesy Nelson also had a short stint as an actress too.

The 29-year-old not only had a cameo in Hugh Grant hit About A Boy, she also appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Speaking on Australian radio with her former bandmates in 2017, she was quizzed about the role in the wizarding films.

“Jesy you were in Harry Potter”, the interviewer asked, to which Jesy excitedly replied: “I was in Harry Potter!”

While many fans have struggled to find the exact spot she appeared, a close-up photo appearing to show her has circulated online ever since the revelation – with one site claiming she was a tiny head in the background of the Yule Ball scene.

Rege-Jean Page and Freddie Stroma

The cast of Bridgerton have left Brits hot under the collar over the last two months thanks to their racy scenes on the Netflix series.

But two of the main heartthrobs enjoyed much earlier fame – and even appeared in Harry Potter.

Lead star Rege-Jean Page, 31, who plays Simon Basset, had a small part in the first instalment of the Deathly Hallows.

During his three-second cameo, his character is a guest at Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding and is seen standing next to Hermione Granger.

Meanwhile, Prince Frederick of Prussia actor Freddie Stroma, 34, starred in three of the films – The Half Blood Prince and parts 1 and 2 of the Deathly Hallows – as quidditch player and fellow Gryffindor Cormac McLaggen.

Julianne and Derek Hough

Dance pro siblings Julianne, 32, and Derek Hough, 35, were two very surprising stars to appear in the films too – albeit briefly.

Dancing With the Stars stunner Julianne appeared as an unnamed Gryffindor in the first film, while her brother played a Ravenclaw student holding an owl in the same film, as students headed home for Christmas.

The pair landed the roles alongside other students while at a performing arts music school.

Michelle Fairley

Most fans will know actress Michelle Fairley, 57, as Catelyn Stark in Game Of Thrones – but before then she had a brief spot in the second-to-last Harry Potter film.

She plays Hermione’s mum in a particularly eerie scene at the start, as the young wizard is forced to wipe both her parents’ memories of her.

Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway

Producers also ensured they had the best of the best in the fourth film when it came to a live band at the Yule Ball.

The Weird Sisters are seen performing on stage as the young wizards dance in front of them, and many Radiohead fans may have been doing double takes.

The band members are actually made up of real life musicians Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway from the popular group – and they’re even joined by Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, alongside more famous stars.

Fiona Shaw

Actress Fiona Shaw, 62, wowed fans with her portrayal of Carolyn Martens in BBC drama Killing Eve, for which she won a Bafta TV award.

But she also has a fairly important role in the Harry Potter movies – as Harry’s aunt, Petunia Dursley.

The dislikable character appears in five of the films, before softening slightly at the very end – but with longer curled hair and bold make-up, the actress looks completely different on screen.

Julie Christie

Julie Christie, 80, is an icon of the ‘Swinging Sixties’, appearing in everything from Doctor Zhivago to Darling, and has won top awards including an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

So Harry Potter producers were no doubt over the moon when she agreed to play a small part in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – as Madam Rosmerta.

Ian Brown

Another star to swap music for acting was lead singer of The Stone Roses – Ian Brown – who appeared briefly in the third film too.

Shortly after Harry arrives at the Leaky Cauldron, Ian plays an unnamed wizard who is seen reading A Brief History Of Time and absent-mindedly stirring a drink.

Dawn French

Transitioning from The Vicar of Dibley to a moving oil painting may seem a bit of a leap – but Dawn French pulled it off perfectly.

The star, 63, plays the Fat Lady – the screeching woman in the painting that moves to let Gryffindors into their common room.

Alfred Enoch

Another recognisable face to many will be Dean in the films, who’s played by Alfred Enoch.

Alfred, 32, is now well known by many for his role in How to Get Away with Murder, playing Wes Gibbins.

John Cleese

With starring roles in everything from Monty Python to Fawlty Towers, John Cleese has become one of the most loved English actors in recent history.

And he had a very unusual spot in the Harry Potter cast – playing Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost.

Verne Troyer

Acting legend Verne Troyer was an early addition to the Harry Potter line-up, as he made an appearance in the first film.

The late star, who passed away in 2018, played Griphook in the first instalment – although he didn’t voice him – before being replaced by Warwick Davis.

Lenny Henry

Perhaps one of the most bizarre and funny scenes comes in the third film, when Harry jumps onboard the Knight Bus to escape his aunt and uncle’s home and get to The Leaky Cauldron.

And playing the ‘Dre Head’ is none other than Lenny Henry, 62.

The head hangs from the front of the bus and speaks with a distinctive Jamaican accent, while instructing Ernie the driver on what to do.

Pam Ferris

It’s hard to forget actress Pam Ferris’ role as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda – and she has another memorable spot in Harry Potter, playing his Aunt Marge.

Harry accidentally inflates his aunty after growing angry at her catty comments in The Prisoner of Azkaban, before she’s seen flying away.

Did you spot them all?