Harry Potter Stars React to Maggie Smith’s Death: Read Cast Tributes

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and more members of the Harry Potter cast are mourning costar Dame Maggie Smith, who died at age 89 on Friday, September 27.

While audiences remember Radcliffe, now 35, as The Boy Who Lived and Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the eight-film series, the actor reminded fans that he actually met Smith on the set of the 1999 BBC miniseries David Copperfield.

“The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job,” Radcliffe said in a statement to Us Weekly on Friday. “I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her. The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was, ‘Would you like me to call you Dame?’ at which she laughed and said something to the effect of ‘don’t be ridiculous!’”

Radcliffe continued: “I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films. She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny. I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”

The Tony Award winner played Harry Potter in all eight films from 2001 to 2011 opposite Smith, and he has said that the Downton Abbey actress was the reason he scored the iconic role.

“Maggie was the person that, like, recommended me for Potter, so she’s the reason I ended up doing that,” he said during a 2021 appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. “I met her when I was 9 for the first time. I didn’t know who she was. My parents were like, ‘Oh, my God, you’re working with Maggie Smith, that’s huge.’ But I was not like a Prime of Miss Jean Brodie fan, so I didn’t know who that was!”

Many other Hogwarts alums shared tributes to Smith amid the news of her passing. Scroll down for more reactions from Harry Potter cast members:

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

“When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend – the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with,” Watson shared via Instagram Story on Friday alongside a photo of herself and Smith on the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. “It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness. She was real, honest, funny and self-honoring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God you held your own. Thank you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you.”

Gary Oldman (Sirius Black)

“Maggie Smith, one of the true Greats along with [Laurence] Olivier and [John] Gielgud … those who saw her dazzling talent on the stage say they can never forget her,” the Oscar winner said in a statement via Entertainment Weekly. “Her magnificent film performances remain for all to see and enjoy. Such an artist comes along about every other generation. If one is lucky.”

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)

“Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house ❤️,” Wright captioned a photo of Smith via Instagram on Friday. “You will be so missed by the Harry Potter community. My favorite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball. She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie’s family at this time.”

James Phelps (Fred Weasley)

“Very sad to hear the news today,” the Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking host wrote via Instagram Story. “It was an honor to have been on the same sets as Dame Maggie Smith. On HP, she was always welcoming, funny and also showed how to act not just on the set, but off too. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

Devon Murray (Seamus Finnegan)

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of the ‘Lady’ that is Maggie Smith,” Murray wrote via Instagram. “Maggie was the most intimidating person I’ve ever met but once cracked she was the kindest, most caring and loving Lady I’ve ever met.”

He continued, “I’ve so many fond memories with Maggie. From getting drunk while waiting for a Fax in a hotel reception to getting some of the best hugs and cuddles in the world to even Maggie trying to keep a straight face while shooting a scene while a Baboon continuously masturbated as soon as she’d speak 😂We’ve shared so many great moments together that I will treasure.”

Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley)

“There’s not many people in the world who were as brilliantly talented, waspishly sharp tongued, funny, kind or intimidating as Maggie Smith,” Rankin shared on social media. “I am truly lucky to have shared a film set with her. They don’t make them like that anymore.”

Afshan Azad (Padma Patil)

“Legend. Icon. An absolute honor to have shared the same room as you let alone screen,” Azad shared via Instagram Story. “There’ll be no other. Thoughts and love go to all her friends and family and all the Potter family. 🕊️ RIP.”