Helen McCrory: How Harry Potter actor was cast as Bellatrix Lestrange but ended up playing Narcissa Malfoy
The part of Bellatrix went to Helena Bonham Carter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Harry Potter fans will remember Helen McCrory – who died from cancer aged 52, her husband Damian Lewis announced on Friday – as the villainous Narcissa Malfoy, but the actor was originally supposed to play a different role in the franchise.
Her first appearance in the Harry Potter film series as Narcissa Malfoy came in the 2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. McCrory reprised the role in the two Deathly Hallows instalments, released respectively in 2010 and 2011.
Before she was tapped to portray Draco Malfoy’s mother, McCrory was cast as Bellatrix Lestrange (Narcissa’s sister and Sirius Black’s cousin) for the 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but had to drop out after she got pregnant.
The part of Bellatrix went to Helena Bonhman Carter, who told Entertainment Weekly in 2010: “They came to me [after McCrory had to leave the project] and I loved it. I love magic, I love witches, I love the whole [Harry Potter] world. I was all too happy to play a witch.”
The news of McCrory’s death has prompted tributes across the industry.
Among many other roles, she had recently portrayed Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders, in addition to starring in films such as Interview with a Vampire (1994) and The Queen (2006).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments