THEY’VE kept viewers spellbound for over 20 years – but only the most die-hard fan will know every star who appeared the Harry Potter films.
From a VERY famous pop star to a Bridgerton actor, the franchise has had many celebrity cameos feature in the eight wizard movies.
Harry Potter made stars of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert GrintCredit: Reuters
Which celebrities made cameos in the Harry Potter celebrity films?
The smash-hit Harry Potter franchise made stars out of young actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
The first movie, The Philosopher’s Stone, hit cinemas back in November 2001 and made over £1billion on box office sales.
The franchise came to an end in 2011 with The Deathly Hallows.
But over those ten years, everyone from Tracy Beaker’s Dani Harmer to Jesy Nelson made surprising celebrity cameos in the hit movies.
Dani Harmer
Dani Harmer is best known for playing Tracy BeakerCredit: CBBC
Dani appeared in the first Harry Potter film
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
Ben Shephard has enjoyed brief fame away from UK daytime TVCredit: Rex Features
Ben’s unnamed character made a brief appearance in the Half Blood Prince
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 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.”
Jesy Nelson
Jesy Nelson enjoyed a very short stint in one of the Harry Potter films before Little MixCredit: Instagram
A fan account shared a black and white photo appearing to show Jesy in one of the films
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 singer 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
Rege-Jean Page has won millions of hearts as Simon Basset in BridgertonCredit: Getty Images
The actor has a short spot next to Hermione in Bill and Fleur’s wedding scene
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, 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.
Freddie Stroma plays Prince Frederick of Prussia in Bridgerton
Freddie played Gryffindor student Cormac McLaggen
Meanwhile, Prince Frederick of Prussia actor Freddie Stroma starred in three of the films.
He was in 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
Julianne and Derek Hough are best known for their pro performances on Dancing With the StarsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Julianne played an excited Gryffindor studentCredit: Warner Bros
Derek appears behind Hermione in one sceneCredit: Warner Bros
Dance pro siblings Julianne and Derek Hough 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
Michelle is well known for playing Catelyn Stark in Game Of ThronesCredit: Alamy
Michelle starred briefly as Hermione’s mum
Most fans will know actress Michelle Fairley 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
Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway tried their hand at actingCredit: Rex Features
The stars joined other musicians as part of a supergroup for the Yule Ball scene
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.
Julie Christie
Julie Christie has built up a huge career in acting over the yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The actress plays pub landlady Madam RosmertaCredit: Alamy
Julie Christie is an icon of the ‘Swinging Sixties’, appearing in everything from Doctor Zhivago to Darling.
She 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
Ian Brown swapped The Stone Roses for The Leaky CauldronCredit: Rex Features
Ian Brown is seen stirring a drink while reading in the pubCredit: Warner Bros
Another star to swap music for acting was lead singer of The Stone Roses, Ian Brown.
The Britpop star 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
Alfred Enoch is now well known for his role in How to Get Away with MurderCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Alfred played young Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter filmsCredit: handout
Another recognisable face to many will be Dean in the films, who’s played by Alfred Enoch.
Alfred is now well known by many for his role in How to Get Away with Murder, playing Wes Gibbins.
Verne Troyer
The late Verne Troyer enjoyed some incredible film roles during his careerCredit: EPA
Verne Troyer played Griphook in the first filmCredit: Alamy
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 played Griphook in the first instalment – although he didn’t voice him – before being replaced by Warwick Davis.
Sadly Verne passed away in 2018 aged 49.
Lenny Henry
Lenny Henry is one star many people many now know starred in the third filmCredit: PA:Press Association
Lenny Henry voiced the part of the shrunken head in Harry PotterCredit: Alamy
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.
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.
