A Comparison of Ages: Harry Potter Cast vs. Characters

The Harry Potter film series is known for being a successful adaptation of the books. It started in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and ended with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011. The series was both critically acclaimed and a hit at the box office, setting a high standard for young adult book adaptations.

Throughout the eight films, characters were introduced at different points from the book series. The central trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were in the first film, while characters like Sirius Black and Voldemort's true form appeared later. The film series did a great job bringing these iconic book characters to life, but many have questioned how accurately the characters' ages were portrayed in the films. People are curious to know if the actors matched up well with the ages of their characters in their debut appearances.

Daniel Radcliffe (11) - Harry Potter (11)

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Daniel Radcliffe at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Daniel Radcliffe (11) - Harry Potter (11)

The first film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, had very few differences from the book. The only major change was the title, as the film was called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the U.K., like the original book. Other changes from the book to the film were small, such as the age of the main character compared to the actor, Daniel Radcliffe.

Rupert Grint (12) - Ron Weasley (11)

When filming started in 2000, Daniel Radcliffe was 11 years old. In the film, Harry Potter celebrates his 11th birthday in the first act. This meant that the ages of Radcliffe and the character he portrayed were almost perfectly aligned.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

confused Ron in Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Rupert Grint (12) - Ron Weasley (11)

Emma Watson (10) - Hermione Granger (11)

Emma Watson was introduced as Hermione Granger in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. She was 10 years old when she started filming in September 2000, a year younger than her character Hermione who was 11 in the books and films.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Hermione looking suspicious in Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Emma Watson (10) - Hermione Granger (11)

Emma Watson (10) - Hermione Granger (11)

The youngest of the three main actors in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was Emma Watson. Watson was only 10 years old when filming began on the first film, placing her as younger than her costars. Just like Harry and Ron, Watson's Hermione Granger was 11 in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, meaning the young actress was slightly younger than her counterpart, something that could be repeated with HBO's Harry Potter remake series.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Tom Felton (13) - Draco Malfoy (11)

Matthew Lewis played the character Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Neville is also 11 years old in the film. However, unlike his character, Matthew Lewis was also 11 years old when he portrayed Neville. Born in June 1989, Lewis was the same age as his character during filming.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Neville holding up his firsts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Matthew Lewis (11) - Neville Longbottom (11)

Harry Melling (11) - Dudley Dursley (11)

Harry Melling made his debut as Dudley Dursley in the first Harry Potter film when he was 11 years old. Dudley Dursley, the spoiled cousin of Harry Potter, was a character that Melling portrayed with great skill. Just like his character, Melling was also 11 years old at the time of filming.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia Dursley stare at Harry in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Melling (11) - Dudley Dursley (11)

In the first Harry Potter film, Harry's cousin Dudley Dursley made his debut, although he didn't play a major role. Dudley's birthday is depicted as occurring about a month before Harry's, making them close in age. Throughout the film, Dudley is portrayed as being 11 years old. Actor Harry Melling, who played Dudley, was also 11 when filming for the Sorcerer's Stone commenced.

Bonnie Wright (9) - Ginny Weasley (10)

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Ginny Weasley and Molly Weasley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Bonnie Wright (9) - Ginny Weasley (10)

Evanna Lynch played the role of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series. Luna was introduced in the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as a quirky and eccentric character. Evanna Lynch, who was 15 years old at the time, portrayed Luna with her unique charm and brought the character to life on screen. Luna quickly became a fan favorite for her wisdom and individuality, making her a beloved part of the magical world of Harry Potter.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix - Evanna Lynch (15) - Luna Lovegood (15)

Luna Lovegood, a character introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, became a significant part of the last four movies in the series. She is a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts and was 15 years old when Harry first encountered her during his fifth year at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrayed Lovegood, was also 15 when filming started for the Order of the Phoenix.

Gary Oldman (44) - Sirius Black (34)

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Gary Oldman Looking Tense as Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban - Gary Oldman (44) - Sirius Black (34)

Sirius Black's significant role in the third through fifth Harry Potter movies cannot be overlooked as a key member of Harry's family. In the books, it is mentioned that Black was born in 1959, making him 34 in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Although the films do not explicitly mention his age, it is safe to assume that he was around the same age in his film debut. Portrayed by Gary Oldman, Sirius Black was brought to life on screen when Oldman was 44 years old.

Ralph Fiennes (41) - Voldemort (68)

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

Voldemort Casting Avada Kedavra - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire - Ralph Fiennes (41) - Voldemort (68)

Robbie Coltrane portrayed Rubius Hagrid in the Harry Potter series. At the time of filming, he was 50 years old. However, in the series, Hagrid's age is presented as 72.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Hagrid On His Bike in Harry Potter - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Robbie Coltrane (50) - Rubius Hagrid (72)

In the first Harry Potter film, we were introduced to the beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper, Rubius Hagrid. Portrayed by the late actor Robbie Coltrane, who sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 72, Hagrid was 72 years old when he first appeared on screen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Robbie Coltrane (72) - Rubius Hagrid

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Dumbledore talking in The Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Richard Harris (69) - Albus Dumbledore (110)

The oldest character in the first Harry Potter film is the enigmatic Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. At the time of filming, Dumbledore is a remarkable 110 years old. He was portrayed by two actors in the series, Richard Harris in the first two films and Michael Gambon from the third film onwards. Harris was 69 years old when filming began for the first movie in September 2000.

Alan Rickman (54) - Severus Snape (31)

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Snape seeing Harry for the first time in Sorcerer's Stone - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Alan Rickman (54) - Severus Snape (31)

Maggie Smith, who portrayed Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone, was 65 years old at the time of filming. In contrast, her character was 56 years old in the movie.

Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter - Debuted In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Maggie Smith (65) - Minerva McGonogall (56)

Maggie Smith, who played Minerva McGonogall in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was the last major cast member to make their first appearance in the film. At 65 years old, Smith was nine years older than her character who was supposedly 56 during the events of the movie. This age difference highlighted another final contrast between the actors of Harry Potter and the characters they portrayed.

Editor's P/S:

The Harry Potter film series has been a beloved adaptation of the popular book series, capturing the hearts of millions worldwide. The casting choices for the films were crucial in bringing the beloved characters to life, and the article delves into the ages of the actors in their debut appearances compared to the ages of their characters in the books.

While some actors, like Daniel Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis, perfectly matched the ages of their characters, others like Emma Watson and Evanna Lynch were slightly younger. The article also highlights the significant age differences between actors Gary Oldman and Ralph Fiennes and their characters Sirius Black and Voldemort, respectively. Overall, the article provides an intriguing insight into the casting process and the ages of the actors who brought the magical world of Harry Potter to the big screen.