Imagine returning to Hogwarts after more than two decades, only to discover that the actors in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets have evolved in ways both magical and profoundly human. Released in 2002, this second installment introduced unforgettable characters like the vain Gilderoy Lockhart and the loyal Dobby, while deepening the bonds of the Golden Trio. As fans eagerly await the HBO TV series reboot and the newly released full-cast audiobook for Chamber of Secrets (dropped just yesterday on December 16, 2025), there’s no better time to revisit the original film’s stellar ensemble. This ultimate guide spotlights every major and supporting actor from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, complete with iconic photos, role insights, career updates, and nostalgic “then and now” comparisons—perfect for longtime Potterheads or newcomers discovering the Wizarding World.
Overview of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Directed by Chris Columbus and released on November 15, 2002, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets grossed over $880 million worldwide, cementing the franchise’s status as a cultural phenomenon. Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s second novel, the film follows Harry Potter’s tumultuous second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mysterious attacks petrify students, whispers echo through the walls, and a legendary chamber hides a deadly secret tied to Salazar Slytherin’s heir.
This installment marked Richard Harris’s final performance as Albus Dumbledore and introduced key new faces, including Kenneth Branagh’s flamboyant Gilderoy Lockhart and Toby Jones’s voice work as Dobby the house-elf. The young cast—Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson—delivered more mature performances, blending adventure, humor, and darker tones. In 2025, with production underway on HBO’s faithful decade-long TV reboot and the immersive full-cast audiobooks captivating listeners, the original film’s legacy shines brighter than ever.
Main Cast: The Golden Trio and Key Hogwarts Figures
The heart of Chamber of Secrets lies in its core characters, brought to life by a mix of rising child stars and legendary British actors.
The Golden Trio
Harry Potter — Played by Daniel Radcliffe At just 12 during filming, Radcliffe captured Harry’s bravery and isolation perfectly, from crashing the flying Ford Anglia to facing the basilisk. Iconic scenes include his Parseltongue revelation and duel with Tom Riddle. In 2025, Radcliffe continues to thrive post-Potter, starring in Broadway revivals and films like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. He’s also a new father and vocal advocate for various causes.
Ron Weasley — Played by Rupert Grint Grint’s Ron provided comic relief amid the terror, with standout moments like his slug-vomiting curse and fear of spiders in the Forbidden Forest. His loyalty shines through. Today, Grint balances acting (including Servant on Apple TV+) with family life and quirky ventures like his own ice cream brand.
Hermione Granger — Played by Emma Watson Watson’s Hermione was the brilliant voice of reason, brewing Polyjuice Potion and uncovering the basilisk’s identity—until she was petrified. Her growth foreshadowed the character’s empowerment. In 2025, Watson remains a global icon for activism, education, and selective roles, including sustainability advocacy.
Hogwarts Staff and Allies
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- Albus Dumbledore — Played by Richard Harris Harris’s wise, twinkling portrayal was poignant in his final role, offering guidance amid chaos. He passed away shortly after filming.
- Albus Dumbledore — Played by Richard Harris Harris’s wise, twinkling portrayal was poignant in his final role, offering guidance amid chaos. He passed away shortly after filming.
- Severus Snape — Played by Alan Rickman Rickman’s sneering Snape suspected Harry, delivering memorable potions classes. His layered performance hinted at deeper secrets.
- Minerva McGonagall — Played by Dame Maggie Smith Smith’s stern yet caring transfiguration professor protected students fiercely.
- Rubeus Hagrid — Played by Robbie Coltrane Coltrane’s gentle giant faced wrongful accusation, with heartfelt scenes involving arachnids and Norbert.
Other notable staff include Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick (charms master) and Miriam Margolyes as Pomona Sprout (herbology expert, introducing mandrakes).
New Characters Introduced in Chamber of Secrets
These fresh additions amplified the film’s charm and menace.
Gilderoy Lockhart — Played by Kenneth Branagh Branagh’s over-the-top Defense Against the Dark Arts professor stole scenes with his narcissism and incompetence. Fun fact: His memory charm backfire was hilariously improvised in tone.
Dobby the House-Elf — Voiced and motion-captured by Toby Jones Dobby’s self-punishing loyalty and sock obsession endeared him to fans. Advanced CGI for 2002 brought the elf vividly to life.
Lucius Malfoy — Played by Jason Isaacs Isaacs’s cold, aristocratic villain debuted chillingly, planting the diary.
Other newcomers:
- Draco Malfoy — Tom Felton (escalating rivalry).
- Ginny Weasley — Bonnie Wright (first-year introduction).
- Moaning Myrtle — Shirley Henderson (haunting bathrooms).
- Tom Riddle — Christian Coulson (young Voldemort’s memory).
Supporting Cast and Cameos
No Harry Potter film would be complete without its rich ensemble of supporting actors, many of whom became fan favorites through recurring roles across the series. In Chamber of Secrets, these characters added humor, heart, and tension to Harry’s second-year adventure.
The Dursley Family
- Vernon Dursley — Played by Richard Griffiths The blustering, Muggle uncle who despises magic. Griffiths brought perfect comic outrage to scenes like the Mason dinner disaster.
- Petunia Dursley — Played by Fiona Shaw Harry’s stern aunt, with subtle hints of her jealousy toward the wizarding world.
- Dudley Dursley — Played by Harry Melling The spoiled cousin whose tail-removal scene provided early laughs. Melling has since transformed dramatically, starring in acclaimed roles like The Pale Blue Eye.
The Weasley Family
- Molly Weasley — Played by Julie Walters The warm, fierce matriarch who welcomes Harry like family. Her Howler scene is iconic.
- Arthur Weasley — Played by Mark Williams The Muggle-obsessed father, delighting in plugs and electricity.
- Fred and George Weasley — Played by James and Oliver Phelps The mischievous twins who rescue Harry from Privet Drive.
Hogwarts Students
A host of young actors portrayed Harry’s classmates, many returning throughout the franchise:
- Draco Malfoy — Tom Felton (expanded rivalry, with memorable dueling club scenes).
- Neville Longbottom — Matthew Lewis
- Seamus Finnigan — Devon Murray
- Dean Thomas — Alfred Enoch
- Colin Creevey — Hugh Mitchell (the enthusiastic first-year photographer)
- And others like Lavender Brown (Jennifer Smith in this film) and the Patil twins.
Brief cameos and uncredited roles rounded out the authenticity, from John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick to Julian Glover as the voice of Aragog.
Then and Now: Where Are the Actors in 2025?
Over two decades later, the cast of Chamber of Secrets has grown up in the public eye, pursuing diverse careers while often reflecting fondly on their Hogwarts days. Here’s a visual and insightful look at their transformations.
- Daniel Radcliffe (Harry): From bespectacled boy wizard to Tony Award winner (2024 for Merrily We Roll Along). Fatherhood in 2023 and eclectic roles in The Lost City and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
- Rupert Grint (Ron): Starred in Apple TV+’s Servant, became a father, and ventured into business.
- Emma Watson (Hermione): Global activist, selective acting, and pursuing creative endeavors.
- Tom Felton (Draco): Released music, authored a memoir, and continues acting.
- Bonnie Wright (Ginny): Directed films and advocates for environmental causes.
- Tributes to departed legends: Richard Harris (Dumbledore, passed 2002), Alan Rickman (Snape, 2016), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid, 2022), and others whose performances endure.
Many have participated in reunions, like the 2022 HBO Max special, sharing stories of on-set camaraderie.
2025 Updates: Harry Potter Reboot and New Audiobook
The Wizarding World is thriving in 2025 with exciting new adaptations that pay homage to the original films while offering fresh interpretations.
The HBO Harry Potter TV Series Reboot
Production is underway for this decade-long series, with Season 1 adapting Philosopher’s Stone and Season 2 covering Chamber of Secrets (expected around 2028). Key cast for Chamber-era characters includes:
- Young Harry: Dominic McLaughlin
- Ron: Alastair Stout (note: some sources list variations, but confirmed as Stout/Alastair)
- Hermione: Arabella Stanton
- Lucius Malfoy: Johnny Flynn (replacing Jason Isaacs)
- Other notables: John Lithgow as Dumbledore (for later seasons, but overarching), and returning original cast member Warwick Davis as Flitwick.
The series aims for deeper book fidelity, expanded storylines, and modern effects.
The Full-Cast Audiobook (Released December 16, 2025)
Just released yesterday, this immersive Dolby Atmos production features over 100 voices:
- Harry Potter: Frankie Treadaway
- Ron Weasley: Max Lester
- Hermione Granger: Arabella Stanton
- Albus Dumbledore: Hugh Laurie
- Severus Snape: Riz Ahmed
- Minerva McGonagall: Michelle Gomez
- Lord Voldemort/Tom Riddle: Matthew Macfadyen
- Gilderoy Lockhart: Kit Harington
- Dobby: Daniel Mays
- Lucius Malfoy: Alex Hassell
- Arthur Weasley: Simon Pegg
- Narrator: Cush Jumbo
- And a vast ensemble for every character.
Fans praise the cinematic sound design and star performances, making it a must-listen companion to the film.
Fun Facts and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
- Kenneth Branagh ad-libbed much of Lockhart’s flamboyance, drawing from his theatrical background.
- Dobby’s CGI was groundbreaking; Toby Jones provided voice and motion capture.
- 14 Ford Anglias were destroyed for the Whomping Willow scene.
- Rupert Grint’s arachnophobia made Aragog scenes genuinely terrifying.
- The basilisk required massive practical sets and puppetry.
- Richard Harris’s final role; he insisted on returning despite illness.
- Alan Rickman’s nuanced Snape hinted at future revelations.
Memorable quotes: “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself” (Hermione) and Dobby’s “Dobby is free!”
Legacy of the Cast: Impact on Pop Culture
The actors in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets didn’t just portray characters—they defined a generation’s imagination. Their performances balanced wonder, fear, and growth, influencing countless young viewers. Today, the film’s themes of prejudice (via the Chamber’s blood purity) resonate anew, while the cast’s enduring popularity fuels conventions, podcasts, and social media nostalgia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who played Harry Potter in Chamber of Secrets? Daniel Radcliffe, aged 12 during filming.
How old were the child actors during Chamber of Secrets? Radcliffe (born 1989), Grint (1988), Watson (1990)—all early teens.
Are any original cast returning for the HBO TV series? Warwick Davis reprises Flitwick; most roles are recast for the new adaptation.
Where to watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2025? Streaming on Max (HBO), Peacock, or available for rent/purchase on major platforms.
Differences between the film cast and new adaptations? The 2025 audiobook features entirely new voices (e.g., Kit Harington as Lockhart), while the TV series has a fresh young trio.
Who voiced Dobby in the original film? Toby Jones.
The actors in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets created timeless magic that continues to enchant in 2025. From the original film’s groundbreaking effects to the new audiobook’s stellar voices and the upcoming TV reboot, the story evolves while honoring its roots. Relive the adventure today—stream the movie, listen to the audiobook, or dive into the books. What’s your favorite Chamber of Secrets moment or performance?
