A Harry Potter actress has revealed she was 37 when she portrayed a 14-year-old ghost in the wizard film franchise.
The star, now 60, played the memorable character in the 2002 film Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets and reprised her role for 2005’s Goblet Of Fire.
Moaning Myrtle was once a Hogwarts student until her untimely death and had haunted the second floor girl’s bathroom ever since.
She became infatuated with wizard Harry who had shown kindness towards her.
However, the actress behind the character – Shirley Henderson – has now revealed she was 37 when she played the role, which was based on a 14-year-old teenager.
In a new interview, Shirley said how casting directors thought she was the right fit for the role and told her not to reveal her real age whilst auditioning.
A Harry Potter actress has revealed she was 37 when she portrayed a 14-year-old ghost in the wizard film franchise
Moaning Myrtle was once a Hogwarts student until her untimely death and had haunted the second floor girl’s bathroom ever since
In a new interview, Shirley said how casting directors thought she was the right fit for the role and told her not to reveal her real age whilst auditioning
Shirley told The Independent: ‘The casting director said, “Go for it — and don’t mention your age”.’
The actress continued: ‘When I was first asked for an audition, I didn’t know who Harry Potter was. But my sister, who was staying with me, had read the books.
‘Still, I wasn’t convinced I could play a 14-year-old girl because I was in my 30s at the time.’
When it came to meeting bosses, Shirley made sure she looked the part to give her the best chance at landing the part.
She explained: ‘I went to the audition dressed as a schoolgirl — white shirt, black skirt, ponytail — thinking, “This is ridiculous”.
‘I did my wee bit for them and they thanked me. Months went by and I thought that was it, but then they phoned my agent, asked to see me again, and offered me the part… Myrtle is an old person in a young person’s body and because she’s ghosty, there’s a kind of mistiness. You’re not looking closely at my face, so we could get away with it.’
Before appearing in Harry Potter, Shirley was already an established and respected actress, appearing in Trainspotting, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Topsy-Turvy.
She later went on to star in Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, Marie Antionette and Meeks Cutoff.
Shirley was already an established actress before appearing in Harry Potter (pictured after winning the BAFTA Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television Award in 2023)
Her revelation comes as HBO bosses continue work on a brand new TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s book series with lead stars Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout
Meanwhile, earlier this month Harry Potter fans were left furious as bosses made a major change to the upcoming HBO adaption.
It’s been claimed the show, set to debut in 2027, will have a narrator for the wizardly action as Warner Bros lures in a new generation of Potterheads.
According to Collider, British actor Tom Turner, whose acting credits include Star Wars: Rogue One, will take on the job.
Fans were quick to complain about the possibility of a narrator, with many stating that the Harry Potter story simply does not need one.
News of the change comes after security was reportedly increased on the set of the upcoming new show.
This is the result of Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s gender critical beliefs, which the child stars of the original films have said they do not agree with.
Now there are growing concerns that transgender activists are planning to sabotage the new project, according to reports.
Filming for the new wizarding TV series began this summer, but fears have been sparked after a recent alleged break-in by intruders to the show’s set in Leavesden Studios, Watford, Hertfordshire.
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