THEY’VE kept viewers spellbound for 20 years – but only the most die-hard fan will know every star who appeared the Harry Potter films.
To celebrate two decades of the smash-hit franchise, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will all return for a one-off TV special on New Year’s Day.
They will be joined by filmmaker Chris Columbus, as well as various recognisable cast members from all eight of the iconic films.
These include acting legends like Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman and Imelda Staunton.
But alongside the swathe of stars who played major roles in the franchise, a host of other famous faces may have passed you by.
From Tracy Beaker’s Dani Harmer to Jesy Nelson, two of the Bridgerton cast and even GMB’s Ben Shephard, here are the surprising celebrity cameos who popped up over the years.
Dani Harmer
She’s best known as the star of Tracy Beaker, but many of Dani Harmer’s fans didn’t realise she had a small role in the first movie.
An eagle-eyed fan took to Twitter to share a shot from The Philosopher’s Stone, to point Dani out.
They tweeted: “I think I found @DaniHarmer in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, she is behind Oliver Wood after Hermione speaks.”
Dani confirmed she was indeed the extra on screen, tweeting back: “Yep there I am”.
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 30-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 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, 33, 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, 33, and Derek Hough, 36, 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, 5, 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, 63, 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, 81, 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.
Alfred Enoch
Another recognisable face to many will be Dean in the films, who’s played by Alfred Enoch.
Alfred, 33, is now well known by many for his role in How to Get Away with Murder, playing Wes Gibbins.
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?
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