Harry Potterstar Ralph Fiennes praises the late Dame Maggie Smith, recalling one positive memory he has of their time filming together. Based on the books by J.K. Rowling, the firstHarry Pottermoviewas released in 2001, introducing Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall. Fiennes would join the franchise later as Lord Voldemort, with the two stars ultimately not sharing much screen time. Smith, whose last appearance as McGongall was in 2011’sHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, passed away on June 04, 2025, at the age of 89.
During a recent interview withEntertainment Tonight, Fiennes comments on Smith’s passing, recalling a particularly sweet memory he has from filming one of theHarry Potterfilms. It was a small moment, buthe remembers Smith giving him a funny, telling look as they filmed an intense sequence. Check out Fiennes' comment or watch the video clip below:
“I have to say I never worked with Maggie much. Except on Harry Potter. But she had a wonderful, rather lethal sense of humor. She gave me a sort of ironic side eye when we were doing one of the big confrontational scenes, as if to say ‘Darling what are we doing here?’ I have admired her for many, many years. She’s one of our great actresses. One of our great greats. Amazing wit. She was a one off.”
What Smith’s Death Means For The Harry Potter Universe
What Other Harry Potter Stars Have Said
Fiennes isn’t the onlyHarry Pottercastmember to celebrate Smith’s life and achievements following her passing.Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) all paid tributeto the late actor in various forms. ToVariety, Radcliffe celebrated that Smith had “a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant.”
Maggie Smith’s 10 Greatest Moments As Professor McGonagall In Harry Potter
Maggie Smith was phenomenal as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies, and her best scenes from the series showcase her acting talents.
Watson called Smith the “true definition of greatness,” while Grint said she was “always hilariousand always kind,” sharing an image of the two of them dancing during a hilariously awkwardHarry Potterscene. Felton thanked Smith for “looking after us from literally day one.”
Smith’s McGonagall was a truly beloved part of theHarry Potteruniverse, appearing in all but one of the eight films. Despite her performance being universally beloved, it was unlikely that she was going to play that character again. With theHarry PotterTV showon the way, McGonagall is set to feature on-screen once more, but the show will be going with an entirely new cast for all of these familiar characters.
Casting is currently underway for theHarry PotterTV show with the HBO series expected to release in 2026.
Our Take On Smith’s Portrayal Of McGonagall In Harry Potter
Why Smith’s McGonagall Was A Highlight Of The Franchise
A common point that comes up in the tributes to Smith is just how funny she could be in one moment while delivering a commanding and serious performance the next. This ultimately speaks to why her portrayal of McGonagall was so effective. The professor starts off as an intimidating presence in theHarry Potterfilms, but there’s kindness there, too, and she eventually becomes friendly with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. McGonagall also gets a handful of comedic scenes throughout the franchise, on top of at least one standout wizard duel.
Whoever plays McGonagall next will have big shoes to fill, and Smith is sure to remain the one true McGonagall for an entire generation of fans. Though McGonagall was never a lead character in theHarry Potterfranchise, she was one of the most consistent, and Smith was a joy to watch on screen.
Source:Entertainment Tonight
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
