17 stars you probably didn't realize were in the 'Harry Potter' movies

Olivia SinghNov 14, 2020, 03:24 IST

The "Harry Potter" series was created by J.K. Rowling.Warner Bros.

"Harry Potter" was led by main stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, but the franchise also featured appearances from other notable names.
Former "Doctor Who" star David Tennant and "Dancing With the Stars" alums Julianne Hough and Derek Hough are a few of the celebrities who had minor parts in the "Harry Potter" films.

When it comes to "Harry Potter," everybody knows the film's leading trifecta: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.

But what about the dozens of other witches, wizards, and muggles who graced the screen throughout the series? While you were watching Harry and his friends fight dragons and hunt horcruxes, these performances from veteran actors and youngsters just beginning their careers might have totally passed you by.

From cameo appearances from the cast of "Dancing With the Stars" to a member of the band Radiohead, here are 16 stars you might have missed in "Harry Potter."

Amanda Luz Henning Santiago contributed to an earlier version of this post.

Alfred Enoch has come a long way since his days playing Dean Thomas in "Harry Potter."

Alfred Enoch appeared on an episode of BBC America's "Sherlock." Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence and Warner Bros.

Enoch starred as law student Wes Gibbins on ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder." In recent years, he's appeared on shows like "Troy: Fall of a City," "Trust Me," and "Sherlock."

Enoch starred as law student Wes Gibbins on ABC's How to Get Away with Murder. In recent years, he's appeared on shows like Troy: Fall of a City, Trust Me, and Sherlock.

Scarlett Byrne kept company with fellow Slytherin Draco Malfoy as the sour Pansy Parkinson.

Byrne appeared on one episode of the comedy series "Mary + Jane." Warner Bros. and David Becker/Getty Images for Playboy

Since then, she's starred in a different magical world as Nora Hildegard on "The Vampire Diaries."

In 2020 Byrne gave birth to a daughter named Betsy Rose with husband Cooper Hefner, Hugh Hefner's son.

Since then, she's starred in a different magical world as Nora Hildegard on The Vampire Diaries.

In 2020 Byrne gave birth to a daughter named Betsy Rose with husband Cooper Hefner, Hugh Hefner's son.

Verne Troyer was the first of two actors to play Griphook the goblin in "Harry Potter."

Verne Troyer was known for his role in "Austin Powers." Warner Bros. and Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Starkey Hearing Foundation

You probably recognize him from his most famous role as Mini-Me in "Austin Powers." The actor died in April 2018.

You probably recognize him from his most famous role as Mini-Me in Austin Powers. The actor died in April 2018.

John Cleese haunted the Hogwarts halls as Nearly Headless Nick.

John Cleese voiced King Gristle Sr. in the 2016 movie "Trolls." Warner Bros. and Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

Cleese is better known for his sketch-comedy work in "Monty Python."

Luke Youngblood palled around with Harry and their fellow Gryffindors.

Luke Youngblood had a minor role on "Glee" in 2010. Warner Bros. and Jerod Harris/Getty Images

"Community" fans will recognize Youngblood from his role as Magnitude.

Frank Dillane played a menacing Tom Riddle, the boy who would become the evil Lord Voldemort.

Frank Dillane starred in the 2018 drama "Viena and the Fantomes" with Dakota Fanning. Warner Bros. and Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AMC

Nowadays, he's probably best known for his role as Nick Clark on AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead."

Julianne Hough had a cameo as an unnamed Gryffindor in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

In 2016, Julianne Hough starred as Sandy in "Grease Live!" Warner Bros. and Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

She went on to have a successful TV career on "Dancing With the Stars" as a professional dancer and later, a judge.

Derek Hough also had a cameo, playing a Ravenclaw student holding an owl and heading home for Christmas in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Derek Hough played Corny Collins in "Hairspray Live!" Warner Bros. and Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Like his sister, Derek went on to compete on "Dancing With the Stars" and win six times. Now, he's a judge on NBC's "World of Dance" alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.

Like his sister, Derek went on to compete on Dancing With the Stars and win six times. Now, he's a judge on NBC's World of Dance alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.

You might remember Domhnall Gleeson, and his flaming red hair, as Ron Weasley's oldest brother, Bill.

Domhnall Gleeson played Alan Milne in the 2017 film "Goodbye Christopher Robin" Warner Bros. and Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

More recently, Gleeson played General Hux in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," appeared in "Peter Rabbit," and starred on the show "Run."

Freddie Stroma drove his Hogwarts classmates wild as the pompous Cormac McLaggen.

Freddie Stroma played Adam Cromwell on "UnREAL." Warner Bros. and Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

In 2012, Stroma starred in "Pitch Perfect" as a radio station manager at Barden University. More recently, he played Ron Ebsen in the romantic comedy "Second Act," which starred Jennifer Lopez, and appeared on the show "Bridgerton."

He also tied the knot with "Quantico" actress Johanna Braddy in late 2016.

In 2012, Stroma starred in Pitch Perfect as a radio station manager at Barden University. More recently, he played Ron Ebsen in the romantic comedy Second Act, which starred Jennifer Lopez, and appeared on the show Bridgerton.

He also tied the knot with Quantico actress Johanna Braddy in late 2016.

Michelle Fairley had a small appearance as Hermione Granger's mother in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

Michelle Fairley played Ava Hessington on "Suits." Warner Bros. and Karwai Tang/Getty Images

You probably recognize her most from her role as matriarch Catelyn Stark on "Game of Thrones."

Natalia Tena played auror Nymphadora Tonks, who fell in love with a werewolf.

Natalia Tena appeared in one episode of "Black Mirror." Warner Bros. and JB Lacroix/Getty Images

Like Fairley, Tena was also part of "Game of Thrones." She played Osha on the hit show. The actress reunited with "Harry Potter" costar Tom Felton for a YouTube sci-fi thriller called "Origin."

Like Fairley, Tena was also part of Game of Thrones. She played Osha on the hit show. The actress reunited with Harry Potter costar Tom Felton for a YouTube sci-fi thriller called Origin.

Warwick Davis actually had two different roles in "Harry Potter," Griphook the goblin and Professor Flitwick.

In 2018, Warwick Davis starred as Weazel in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Warner Bros. and Ethan Miller/Getty Images

In 2016, he played the interstellar scout Wollivan in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and continues to work within the "Star Wars" realm, voicing the character of Rukh in the "Star Wars: Rebels" series. He played Weazel in the 2018 "Solo" movie.

In 2016, he played the interstellar scout Wollivan in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and continues to work within the Star Wars realm, voicing the character of Rukh in the Star Wars: Rebels series. He played Weazel in the 2018 Solo movie.

Jonny Greenwood was the lead guitarist of Weird Sisters, the band that rocked out on stage at the Yule Ball in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

Jonny Greenwood voiced a character in the 2009 movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Warner Bros. and Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

In real life, Greenwood is a member of the band Radiohead.

David Tennant snarled as Barty Crouch Jr. in "Harry Potter."

David Tennant is the voice of Scrooge McDuck on "DuckTales." Warner Bros. and Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Outside of the wizarding world, he's made a name for himself on shows like "Doctor Who" and Netflix's "Jessica Jones."

The actor starred alongside Jennifer Garner on the HBO comedy series "Camping" and played a demon named Crowley on the Amazon show "Good Omens."

Outside of the wizarding world, he's made a name for himself on shows like Doctor Who and Netflix's Jessica Jones.

The actor starred alongside Jennifer Garner on the HBO comedy series Camping and played a demon named Crowley on the Amazon show Good Omens.

Fiona Shaw shoved Harry in the cupboard under the stairs as his Aunt Petunia Dursley.

In 2011, Fiona Shaw had a recurring role on HBO's "True Blood." Warner Bros. and Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

She most recently starred as Carolyn Martens on "Killing Eve" and played Miss Harrison in "Enola Holmes."

Little Mix member Jesy Nelson said she "was in 'Harry Potter'" before her singing career took off, but it's unclear which film(s).

Jesy Nelson from Little Mix in September 2020. Neil Mockford/GC Images

The British singer said that she also appeared as a student in the school assembly in "About A Boy," which starred Hugh Grant.

The British singer said that she also appeared as a student in the school assembly in About A Boy, which starred Hugh Grant.

13 of the most shocking reality TV moments of 2020

Cookies on the Business Insider India website