Professor Minerva McGonagall will forever be remembered at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Beloved “Harry Potter” actor Maggie Smith died Sept. 27 at the age of 89, and the cast from the popular franchise has been paying tribute.
Smith portrayed Professor McGonagall in seven of the eight “Harry Potter” films, all except “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.”
Following her death Friday, fans took to social media to share her impact on the magical world.
“Maintain that Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall was the single best casting decision of the whole Harry Potter movie franchise,” one X user wrote.
Another shared a photo of Smith as Professor McGonagall, standing beside the late Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape, and the late Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore in the franchise.
“Rest in peace to an absolute treasure, Dame Maggie Smith,” one wrote, alongside a photo of the three actors. “They’ve been reunited.”
Fans pointed out that Smith died exactly one year to the day after Gambon died Sept. 27, 2023. Rickman died Jan. 14, 2016.
The stars of “Harry Potter” also spoke out about the legacy and impact Smith leaves.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter in all eight movies, reflected on his relationship with Smith in a tribute, recalling the first time the actors met.
“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 Variety.
“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!’”
He 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.”
Harry and Professor McGonagall developed a deep relationship throughout the books and films, with Smith’s character acting as a protector for the students at Hogwarts.
“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,” he concluded the tribute. “Thank you Maggie.”
Emma Watson
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films, shared a photo to her Instagram story Sept. 27 of Professor McGonagall holding Hermione’s cheek.
“When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend – the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with,” Watson wrote. “It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with the true definition of greatness.”
“She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring,” Watson continued. “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.”
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley, took to Instagram Sept. 28 to share a shot of Ron and Professor McGonagall dancing in a scene from one of the “Harry Potter” films.
“Heartbroken to hear about Maggie,” Grint captioned the post. “She was so special, always hilarious and always kind.”
“I feel incredibly lucky to have shared a set with her and particularly lucky to have shared a dance. I’ll miss you Maggie. Sending all my love to her family,” he finished the post, signing, “Rupert x.”
Grint’s Instagram profile picture is also a photo of Smith kissing him on the cheek when they were younger.
Bonnie Wright
Actor Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, shared a headshot of Smith on Instagram Sept. 27, reflecting on her favorite moment with the British actor.
“Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house,” Wright began the post, adding a red heart emoji. “You will be so missed by the Harry Potter community.”
