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Tag: Miriam Margolyes

  • Miriam Margolyes Calls Harry Potter Pay ‘Rubbish,’ Laments Typecasting as Professor Sprout

    Miriam Margolyes Calls Harry Potter Pay ‘Rubbish,’ Laments Typecasting as Professor Sprout

    Miriam Margolyes, the acclaimed actress who brought Professor Pomona Sprout to life in the Harry Potter franchise, has reignited discussion regarding her compensation and her relationship with the Wizarding World. More than two decades after the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the 85-year-old performer remains candid about the financial terms of her involvement and her personal disinterest in the phenomenon.

    A Brief but Memorable Tenure at Hogwarts

    Directed by Chris Columbus, the 2002 blockbuster Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets introduced Margolyes as the Herbology professor and Head of Hufflepuff House. By that point, she was already well-established for her role in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence. Her screen time in the series was limited; she appeared in the second film and returned only briefly for the franchise finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Despite the brevity of her appearances, the character of Professor Sprout—particularly the mandrake repotting scene involving a fainting Neville Longbottom—left a lasting impression on audiences.

    Margolyes Criticizes “Rubbish” Pay Packet

    According to The Sun, Margolyes recently addressed her enduring association with the franchise during a panel appearance, expressing frustration over the public perception of her career.

    “I’m not thrilled that everybody thinks of me as Professor Sprout. Because I have done other, better things.”

    She then disclosed the specific figure she received for her work on Chamber of Secrets.

    “Want to know how much I got? £60k – it’s f**king rubbish!”

    Margolyes contextualized the payment within the industry standard, acknowledging the disparity between her earnings and those of the franchise’s lead actors.

    “I mean I don’t mind that everybody else got more, I don’t mind… it’s just the way the business works. It’s like that.”

    A Distinguished Career Beyond the Wizarding World

    The actress’s resume extends far beyond Hogwarts. Her extensive body of work includes an uncredited role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, voice work as Fly in Babe, Aunt Sponge and the Glowworm in James and the Giant Peach, and The Nurse in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Despite these credits, she notes that the Potter role remains her primary identifier in the public eye.

    “I’ve Never Seen a Film”: Margolyes on Her Disinterest in Potter

    This latest commentary follows previous admissions made via a personalized Cameo video, where Margolyes clarified her stance on the source material to a fan.

    “I understand you and Chris are huge Harry Potter fans. Here’s the thing, I’m not.”

    She elaborated on her detachment from the franchise, emphasizing gratitude for the financial benefit without emotional investment in the property.

    “I’m not against it, I’m just not interested. I’ve never seen a film. I’ve never seen the books, I’ve never read them. I just pocket the money when it comes and I’m very grateful for it.”

    Margolyes offered a diplomatic assessment of J.K. Rowling’s creation while maintaining her personal distance.

    “I think that JK Rowling is a terrific writer and I’m sure Harry Potter’s world is a good world. But it’s not my world.”

  • Miriam Margolyes responds to backlash over racist remark about Andi Peters

    Miriam Margolyes responds to backlash over racist remark about Andi Peters

    Miriam Margolyes Addresses Backlash Over This Morning Racial Slur Incident

    Actress Miriam Margolyes has responded to the controversy sparked by her appearance on ITV’s This Morning last Thursday, September 3, where she used a historical racial slur during a live interview with host Andi Peters. The 85-year-old star was on the programme to promote her new book, Miriam’s Full English: A Grand Tour of All Our Best Bits, when the exchange occurred.

    Live Broadcast Exchange Draws Immediate Reaction

    The conversation turned to Peters’ heritage and accent. Margolyes asked: “Well, you’re a mix, aren’t you? So you’ve got a Black daddy and a white mummy.”

    Peters, 56, corrected her, explaining that both his parents are Black. Margolyes then used the offensive term during the live broadcast. Peters was seen putting his finger to his ear, apparently communicating with producers, and said: “They’re getting nervous now. They’re getting nervous now.”

    Margolyes replied: “Don’t be nervous. We welcome everybody and that’s what I want to write about in my book, it’s about inclusion.” She continued: “Not that there are people who need to be pushed out. And I’m not going to say who they are. You’ve got to read the book to find out.”

    ITV subsequently removed the segment from catch-up versions on ITVX, though clips circulated widely on social media.

    Margolyes Speaks Out at Southend Book Event

    While promoting her book at an event in Southend on Sunday, September 6, Margolyes addressed the incident. Videos shared by attendees capture her remarks.

    She stated: “I didn’t want to embarrass or hurt Andi because he seems very nice.”

    “I’d never met him before; I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t know he was black until I saw him. When you see someone, of course you know they’re black.”

    “I wanted to know what he thought about it, because that’s what interests me.”

    Further Comments on Identity and Curiosity

    Margolyes expanded on her perspective, saying: “How do black people feel? How do brown people feel? … How do fat people feel?” She added: “You see what I mean? All of us feel something about who we are and how people see us, what they think of us.”

    When asked whether she aimed to discuss Peters’ identity, she responded: “I am fascinated by other people.”

    “They are the people that interest me, not the celebrities so much. It’s everybody. What their story is, what made them who they are, why you are the way you are.”

    Industry Reactions

    Broadcaster Jeremy Vine expressed outrage over Margolyes’ remarks and praised Peters for handling the situation “brilliantly.” Peters replied to Vine: “Thanks JV. As you know we have to be ready for ANYTHING!!!”

    LADbible Group previously approached representatives of Miriam Margolyes and ITV for comment.

    If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org.