Beyond Hogwarts: We Recommend The Cast’s Best Work

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has captured the imagination of generations of fans for the past twenty years. Entire childhoods have been defined by films, the books and especially the characters. Everyone felt like they grew up alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as they became household names. It's been ten years since the last Harry Potter movie released, and the actors have gone on to star in many shows and films, from blockbusters to offbeat indie movies. Ahead of the cast's reunion, airing on HBO MAX on January 1, 2022, here's their best work outside of the Harry Potter universe that we recommend you watch:

Daniel Radcliffe – What If (2014), Swiss Army Man (2016)

Daniel played the Chosen One, Harry Potter himself, in all eight films. In What If, he plays a medical school dropout in a quintessential 2010s romcom about two people who are avoiding their feelings for each other. It's a movie that's perfect for a cozy night in. On the other end of the spectrum, he plays a corpse on a deserted island in Swiss Army Man. The movie is absurd, but delightfully funny, part buddy movie and part survivalist commentary. Daniel's performance in particular was loved by critics.

Emma Watson – Bling Ring (2013), Little Women (2019)

Emma personified the intelligent, blazing spirit of Hermione even post the Harry Potter films, speaking at the UN, launching awareness initiatives about gender equality and  pursuing activism beside her acting career. One of her most fun roles was in Sofia Coppola's Bling Ring, which is an account of a string of burglaries committed by teenagers in LA. Based on real events, Watson plays the most notorious member of the gang and completely steals the show. Although she no longer acts, Emma also embodied iconic literary characters such Meg March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Little Women. The film was praised for its performances and expansive direction, and Emma held her own as the eldest of the March sisters. 

Rupert Grint – Sick Note (2017-2018)

Rupert Grint completed The Golden Trio, playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films. He has had a career across film, television and theatre. He executive produced and starred in Sick Note on Netflix in 2017, a series about a man who is misdiagnosed with terminal illness and finds that people treat him better after finding about his 'diagnosis', causing him to keep lying about it. Grint shines in this dark comedy, which is two seasons of twisted, irreverent fun.

Tom Felton – Rise of the Planet Of Apes (2011)

Tom Felton, who played the fan-favourite villain Draco Malfoy in all of the Harry Potter movies, continued his villainous run in other franchises too. In Rise of the Planet of Apes, he played a caretaker whose cruelty towards the apes becomes the catalyst for their rebellion.

Matthew Lewis – Me Before You (20160, Baby Done (2020)

Matthew Lewis played Neville Longbottom, the sweet, clumsy Gryffindor, with an affable charm in all the eight movies. He retained that charm, making audiences feel for a character that was mostly comic relief in Me Before You, a romantic drama about a woman who falls for a man with a terminal illness. In 2020, he starred in Baby Done, executive produced by Taika Waititi, a semi-autobiographical film about two people who respond in starkly different ways to an unexpected pregnancy. The film is funny and genuinely heartwarming, finding small moments of joy in the middle of a life-altering event.

Alfred Enoch – How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)

After playing Gryffindor student Dean Thomas, Alfred Enoch went on to work in theatre, starring in a number of plays in London. He was then cast alongside Viola Davis in crime drama How To Get Away With Murder. His character, law student Wes Gibbons, was an audience favourite. After three seasons, however, his character was written out and he moved back to London to continue pursuing theatre.