Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Gandalf in Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies Ian McKellen jokes about his Gandalf return in The Hunt for Gollum: "Who would have thought there was more?"
John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows The wands are on lockdown: HBO's Harry Potter TV show is having to microchip props in order to track them
andy serkis
Fantasy Movies Andy Serkis says he doesn't see a difference between game and movie acting: "Hollywood is using video game engines"
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows HBO's Harry Potter TV show has already been renewed for season 2, adapting Chamber of Secrets
Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El in Supergirl
DC Movies Milly Alcock says she hasn't spoken to previous Supergirl actors about playing Kara Zor-El
Harry Potter
Fantasy Movies The best Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to wand-erful
Next James Bond
Action Movies Next James Bond: The 27 actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
A man looking straight ahead during one of the best Xbox Series X games, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave actor had no idea fans could love game characters as much as they do those in movies
Monoco readies for battle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor was "nervous" for Metacritic score after appearing in Gollum game
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
HBO Harry Potter TV series release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more news
Adam Scott as Ohm in Hokum
Horror Movies 5 horror movies made by comedy stars to watch after Adam Scott's new scary flick Hokum
Scytale standing among the Fremen
Sci-Fi Movies I can't wait to see Robert Pattinson in Dune 3 – it's about time he played a blockbuster villain
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows First trailer for Harry Potter TV series feels nothing like the films, and that's a good thing
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Baldur's Gate Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr hasn't romanced Baldur's Gate 3's Shadowheart because it'd be "so weird" now
Witchbrook trailer screenshot of people chatting at a cafe
Simulation Games Witchbrook was delayed because "Harry Potter meets Stardew Valley" got old
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Fantasy Movies

Sally Hawkins on her "awful" Harry Potter audition: "I wasn’t right"

News
By Jack Shepherd published 11 December 2020

Exclusive: Sally Hawkins reveals she once auditioned for Harry Potter – and it went "really bad"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Shape of Water
(Image credit: 20th Century)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

It's hard to imagine two-time Oscar-nominee Sally Hawkins ever auditioning for a movie and then being rejected. Yet, as with every jobbing actor, there were a few rejections on the way to becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved actors.

Speaking to Total Film for the new issue of the magazine, Hawkins revealed that she once auditioned for the Harry Potter movies, but – as history can attest – did not land the part. Here's a snippet of the interview with Hawkins.

TF: You mainly appear in personal films like your latest, Eternal Beauty. How do you find starring in something like Godzilla: King Of The Monsters?

You may like
  • John Lithgow New Dumbledore actor says he almost quit HBO's Harry Potter show over JK Rowling's controversial opinions
  • Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe doesn't want the new Harry Potter actors to always be asked about him
  • Harry Potter The best Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to wand-erful

I’m OK with that. But you feel awkward, in that you worry about what you’ve done. You don’t want to let anyone down. You’ve got millions of dollars at stake. You think, ‘Oh god, I can’t ask for another take; they’ll shoot me in the head.’ Because it’s not really about you on that film.

How come you’ve never appeared in a Harry Potter film? So many Brit actors did!

I auditioned for one and I was awful in the audition, really bad.

That’s hard to believe...

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Oh bless, that’s really kind. I think I was just nervous. [Pause] I wasn’t right, I think. I’m holding on to that – I wasn’t right. It was with a really, really good director, who I adore. The gentlest soul. But yes, I’d have been there like a shot.

  • Not a subscriber to Total Film? Then head on over here to get the latest issues sent directly to your home/device

Unfortunately, Hawkins did not reveal anything more about the audition, so we can only speculate about which character she auditioned to play. Perhaps the villainous Bellatrix Lestrange, portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter? Lily Potter, Harry's mother who went on to be played by Geraldine Somerville? Or Sybill Trelawney, played by Emma Thompson? Either way, Hawkins could have another shot at a role in the series thanks to Fantastic Beasts 3... 

Eternal Beauty is out now. For our full interview with Hawkins, pick up a copy of the new issue of Total Film magazine when it hits shelves real and digital this Friday, December 11. Check out the new covers of Total Film below: the one on the right is on its way to subscribers right now.

The new issue of Total Film magazine is out on Friday: in our 2020 Review of the Year we take a look back at the highs, lows and WTFs of the year in movies! The exclusive cover on the left is on its way to subscribers now... pic.twitter.com/8SOkig3fFCDecember 8, 2020

If you’re a fan of Total Film magazine, why not subscribe so that you never miss an issue? Sign up via MagazinesDirect, and with our latest subscription offer, you’ll get two free Mandalorian Funko Pops with a year’s subscription! Plus, you’ll get exclusive subscriber-only covers like the one that’s currently on its way to subscribers right now. (Ts & Cs apply, follow link for full details.)

Total Film's subscription offer.

(Image credit: Total Film)
Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

Read more
John Lithgow
Fantasy Shows New Dumbledore actor says he almost quit HBO's Harry Potter show over JK Rowling's controversial opinions
 
 
Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter
Fantasy Shows Daniel Radcliffe doesn't want the new Harry Potter actors to always be asked about him
 
 
Harry Potter
Fantasy Movies The best Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to wand-erful
 
 
Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders
Fantasy Shows Cillian Murphy "categorically" denies rumors he's playing Voldemort in the HBO Harry Potter show
 
 
Sally Hawkins as Laura in Bring Her Back
Horror Movies Horror is (finally) in at the Oscars 2026, but the Academy still overlooked the best genre performance of the year
 
 
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
HBO Harry Potter TV series release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more news
 
 
Latest in Fantasy Movies
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Fantasy Movies Peter Jackson "didn't think much" of directing The Hunt for Gollum because Andy Serkis "knows [him] better than anyone"
 
 
Gandalf in Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies Ian McKellen jokes about his Gandalf return in The Hunt for Gollum: "Who would have thought there was more?"
 
 
andy serkis
Fantasy Movies Andy Serkis says he doesn't see a difference between game and movie acting: "Hollywood is using video game engines"
 
 
Idris Elba, Nicholas Galitzine, and Camila Mendes in Masters of the Universe
Adventure Movies New Masters of the Universe TV spot gives us our first glimpse at He-Man riding Battle Cat
 
 
Big Screen Spotlight: Highlander rerelease in 4K
Fantasy Movies I watched Highlander 40 years after its release and I completely get why Henry Cavill is rebooting it
 
 
Greta Gerwig
Fantasy Movies Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie delayed to 2027 as Netflix plans for first-ever wide theatrical debut
 
 
Latest in News
Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda
Live Action Movies Shigeru Miyamoto says the live-action Zelda movie is hitting theaters a week sooner than planned
 
 
A Stardew Valley character
Simulation Games Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone walks back talk of infidelity in the farming sim: "Not going to actually do this"
 
 
GTA 3 protagonist Claude walks through Liberty City with a shotgun in hand
Grand Theft Auto Dev rewrites GTA 3 source code to reveal what Rockstar was hiding and show how it all fit on a PS2
 
 
Crimson Desert at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023
Open World Games Crimson Desert soars past 150,000 Steam reviews with Very Positive rating despite story criticism
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows Jon Bernthal literally set himself on fire in The Punisher: One Last Kill for one explosive stunt
 
 
Linkle and Midna appear together in a modded version of Dusklight, the Zelda: Twilight Princess PC port
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Twilight Princess PC port forced to change its name, and Nintendo has nothing to do with it
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda
    1
    Shigeru Miyamoto says the live-action Zelda movie is hitting theaters a week sooner than planned
  2. 2
    Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone walks back any potential infidelity in the farming sim, says "it was just some theoretical idea I've toyed with"
  3. 3
    Dev rewrites GTA 3 source code to reveal what Rockstar was hiding and show how Liberty City fit on a PS2
  4. 4
    Crimson Desert soars past 150,000 Steam reviews with Very Positive rating despite story criticism
  5. 5
    Jon Bernthal literally set himself on fire in The Punisher: One Last Kill for one explosive stunt

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...