Did you know, Helen McCrory was never meant to play Narcissa Malfoy? Originally, the English actress was cast in the role of Bellatrix Lestrange, but then she got pregnant and was forced to give up the role. Can you imagine a pregnant Bellatrix? Yeah… not quite as scary. Anyway, because the producers loved her so much, they weren’t ready to give up on her completely and asked her to come back to the franchise after she gave birth, to fulfill the role of Narcissa. Which actually worked out perfectly!
The talented actress has since appeared in James Bond’s Skyfall, The Woman In Black: Angel of Death and Peaky Blinders so it seems she too liked a good action film. Unfortunately, the actress passed too soon in 2021.
Michelle Fairley Now
Michelle Fairley's role as Mrs. Granger in the Harry Potter franchise was actually one of her smallest roles ever. She is now far better known for her emotion-filled role in a different, yet just as popular fantasy drama. We're referring to none other than HBO's Game of Thrones. We can't think of anyone who would have made a more convincing Catelyn Stark, head of the stark family for most of the series, and mother to Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon Stark.
Michelle Fairley really made a name for herself with GoT, and devastated millions of fans when she was brutally murdered at the Red Wedding. Throughout the years, Michelle has also appeared in popular TV shows, such as Suits and 24: Live Another Day.
Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy
Okay, so obviously we don't like the Malfoys. I mean, they're death eaters! Well, Lucius is. And Draco would join in a minute if he were old enough. Narcissa never actually joined the death eaters, but she and her whole Pure-Blood family still associated themselves with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named throughout the centuries. And that's a big no-no. Plus, she is so stuck up! Still, she doesn't seem as bad as the rest of her family.
She even lies to the Dark Lord during the Battle of Hogwarts, in order to save her son Draco's life, and by doing so, ultimately helps Harry survive and win the Battle. So should we like her? We wouldn't go as far as that.
Genevieve Gaunt as Pansy Parkinson
As Harry Potter fans, we all have our preferred houses, and really, they all have their own strengths. Even Slytherin, which has a very strong side. Unfortunately, it's their evil side. They all seem to be selfish, ruthless and just plain mean. It's as if the Slytherin common room had a direct landline to Voldemort. Anyway, Pansy Parkinson is no different.
As a close friend to Draco Malfoy, she is a naturally big bully, and wouldn't pass up an opportunity to inflict pain on Harry (or any other student, for that matter). She even tries to hand over Harry to Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts. Well, we all know how that worked out for her.
Genevieve Gaunt Now
It was no surprise when Genevieve Gaunt made her career choice, what with an entire family of actors to back her up. In 2004, she made her debut into the professional acting world, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Imagine that as the first line of your resume!
Genevieve's career only took flight after her days as a Hogwarts bully, and she managed to land a number of movie roles, such as Issie from Kids In Love, Chrissie from Dusty and Me, and her latest, Miss Teignmouth from The Mercy. She has also been portraying Wilhelmina in the popular TV-show, The Royals, since 2015!