A handful of Harry Potter actors have a history with the Star Wars universe, especially after the Warner Bros. film series came to an end. The two franchises have some of the biggest followings in history when it comes to fandom and viewer loyalty. Whereas Star Wars came from the mind of Geroge Lucas before growing into a multimedia juggernaut, the Harry Potter films were based on a book series by J.K. Rowling. Roles in both franchises, however, were extremely sought after for actors.
Star Wars debuted in 1977 with before expanding into a trilogy with sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). The live-action film focus didn't return until 1999 with Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. The first film adaptation of Harry Potter premiered in the midst of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, which lasted until 2005. That same year, Warners Bros. was gearing up to debut the fourth film in the Harry Potter franchise. The film marked the midpoint as the franchise wouldn't end until the eighth film in 2011.
Disney, who took over control of Star Wars, waited a few years before reviving the Skywalker Saga in addition to several standalone films and TV shows. It was no surprise to see a few well-known actors from the wizarding world make the jump to a galaxy far, far away. Some viewers may not know that a few actors had a history with Star Wars well before joining Harry Potter. Here's every actor who worked on both franchises.
Julian Glover
Julian Glover didn't appear in the Harry Potter films directly, but he did lend his voice for a very memorable character. The actor voiced Aragog, the Acromantula owned by Hagrid, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The ginormous spider, who had the ability to speak, revealed the truth about the basilisk to Harry in the film. Over two decades prior to his work in Harry Potter, the legendary actor appeared in the first Star Wars sequel, The Empire Strikes Back. Glover portrayed General Maximilian Veers in the 1980 film. Veers was a prominent figure in the Galactic Empire's army and was responsible for leading a squadron of AT-AT walkers past the Rebel Alliance. He helped infiltrate the Echo Base on Hoth with his team of snowtroopers. Glover was invited to reprise his role in Return of the Jedi, but the actor was unable to return due to scheduling conflicts.
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis worked on all eight installments of the Harry Potter film series, primarily portraying Filius Flitwick. The character, who was a part-goblin wizard, was the Charms Master at Hogwarts and worked as a professor. Flitwick also served as the Head of Ravenclaw House while being employed by the institution. He opposed Lord Voldemort and bravely fought in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower as well as the Battle of Hogwarts. In addition to Flitwick, Davis voiced Griphook, the goblin who worked at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Following the death of Verne Troyer, Davis took over and portrayed Griphook on-screen for the final two films.
The actor played multiple characters in the Star Wars universe, most notably being Wicket W. Warrick in Return of the Jedi. In addition, Davis portrayed various characters in The Phantom Menace such as Weazel, Wald, and Yoda's walk-in shots. His other franchise characters include Wollivan (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Weeteef Cyu-Bee (Rogue One), Wodibin / Kedpin Shoklop (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), DD-BD / W1-EG5 (Solo: A Star Wars Story), and Wizzich Mozzer (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker).
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley, the eldest child of Arthur and Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter series. He was absent for much of the franchise, working in Egypt. When the character returned to help fight for the Order of the Phoenix, Gleeson took on the role. Bill married Fleur Delacour before the Battle of Hogwarts, and the couple went on to have three kids. Four years later, Gleeson appeared in The Force Awakens as Armitage Hux, a general of the First Order. Hux was in control of Starkiller Base, but his role diminished when Kylo Ren became the Supreme Leader in The Last Jedi. In The Rise of Skywalker, it was revealed that Hux turned on the First Order and served as a spy for the Resistance. He was then executed for treason.
Ian Whyte
Similar to the case with Julian Glover, Ian Whyte's face was never shown in the Harry Potter movies. Instead, Whyte's giant build was used for the body shots to portray Olympe Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. A decade later, Whyte joined Star Wars to play Crusher Roodown and Bollie Prindel, a Resistance member, in The Force Awakens. The actor then portrayed Moroff in Rogue One before reprising his role of Bollie in The Last Jedi.
Shirley Henderson
Shirley Henderson's name might not be recognizable to Harry Potter fans, but her character sure left a lasting impression. The actress played Moaning Myrtle, the ghost of a Muggle-born witch that haunted a Hogwarts bathroom. Myrtle Warren was killed in 1943 by the Serpent of Slytherin before she came in contact with Harry and his friends in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Henderson reprised her role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In late 2019, Henderson surprised Star Wars fans by voicing The Rise of Skywalker's standout character, Babu Frik. The little droidsmith assisted Rey and Finn by hacking C-3PO's programming while on Kijimi. Babu Frik was later involved in the Battle of Exegol, flying with Zorii Bliss in a Y-wing starfighter.
Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs appeared in a total of six Harry Potter movies, playing the role of Lucius Malfoy. Aside from being the father of Draco Malfoy, Lucius served as a Death Eater since the First Wizarding War. The pure-blood wizard avoided imprisonment but tried to remain loyal to Lord Voldemort during his second uprising. Lucius and the Malfoy family eventually defected from the Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts and were pardoned. Between 2014 and 2018, Isaacs then provided his voice for the Grand Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels. His award-winning voice role lasted a total of 10 episodes.
Natalia Tena
Natalia Tena was best known for playing Nymphadora Tonks in four Harry Potter films. Tonks was introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as a half-blood witch and a Metamorphmagus. She and her husband, Remus Lupin, were members of the Order of the Phoenix, but they both tragically passed away fighting during the Battle of Hogwarts. Tena recently portrayed Xi'an in the Star Wars universe. The Twi'lek mercenary was featured in The Mandalorian's sixth episode, and there's a good chance she will return in the future.