Imelda Staunton Now
Even though it’s hard to picture Imelda Staunton’s face without confusing it with her Harry Potter character, she is by no means a one-trick pony. In fact, the English actress began her acting career in the ‘70s, as a musical theater actress, after making her acting debut at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Imelda took on various triple-threat acting roles in a number of award-winning musicals, including Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, and more.
Since then, she has appeared in a number of major motion pictures, such as Nanny McPhee, Gypsy, Pride, and of course, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In the last two years, Mrs. Staunton appeared in three movies, including Paddington 2, Finding Your Feet and The Actor’s Apprenticeship. She is also rumored to appear in next year’s film opening of Maleficent 2.
Miranda Richardson Now
Miranda Richardson's off-screen appearance is strikingly similar to her Harry Potter character. But, fortunately, they are nothing alike, and the real-life Miranda wouldn't be caught dead wearing that awful green jacket that Rita adores so much. Like many others on this list, Miranda began her career on stage long before appearing on screen, and has since piled up quite the few memorable performances, including The King and I, The Hours, The Prince and Me, Belle, and recently, 2017's historical drama, Churchill.
Richardson has also lent her talents to various TV shows, such as The Crying Game, The Lost Prince, Merlin and more. Last year she took part in the short-lived show, Girlfriends, along with her fellow Harry Potter star, Zoe Wanamaker. We expect to see lots more of you soon, Miranda!
Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge
To say that we hate Dolores Umbridge would be an understatement. If you ever had a teacher whom you felt was simply out to get you, then you may be able to understand the disappointment we feel towards this woman, who has the audacity to call herself an educator. We first met (and thankfully parted with) Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Umbridge was just an ordinary worker in the Ministry of Magic.
However, continuously losing trust in Albus Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge, head of the Ministry of Magic, assigned Professor Umbridge to Hogwarts as the High Inquisitor, which later turned into Headmistress. Lucky for everyone, that didn't last too long, and the Centaurs took care of her.
Tiana Benjamin as Angelina Johnson
During her time at Hogwarts, Angelina Johnson befriended the energetic Weasley twins, Fred and George, and made sure that she got in on all the action. She even made it her mission to get invited to the Yule Ball, which she accomplished in a crude, yet very effective way.
We know she's one of the good guys because she did join Dumbledore's Army, and eventually went on to marry George Weasley. Aww! In her seventh year at Hogwarts, she became the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. She really seemed to know exactly where the action was.
Tiana Benjamin Now
If you're not a fan of Harry Potter (which is utterly preposterous), those of you who are up to date on their British soap operas might know Tiana Benjamin for her role as Chelsea Fox, in EastEnders. In fact, she didn't reprise her Harry Potter roll in the later films partially due to the conflicting filming schedules between the show and the movie.
Benjamin spent four years on EastEnders after her time on the Harry Potter set, and has since built herself a slow, but steadily growing acting career. In recent years, she has landed roles in the TV shows Holby City and The Dumping Ground, and has played Jessica Morrison in the 2018 film - The Creatress.