Miranda Richardson AKA Rita Skeeter in ‘Harry Potter’ Was Set to Join ‘Game of Thrones’ Universe – Here’s What Happened

The Rita Skeeter actress Miranda Richardson was on her way to play in a new magical world. However, as fate would have it, her adventure came to a heartsore end.

A critic once said that Richardson is “the greatest actress of our time in any medium.” She was born on March 3, 1958, and throughout her acting career, she collected many accolades.

These included winning a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and several Golden Globe nominations.

Miranda Richardson at the premiere of Amazon Original “Good Omens” on May 28, 2019 in London. | Source: Getty Images

Her successful career began when she made her debut playing Ruth Ellis in the movie “Dance with a Stranger,” which came out in 1985. 

Richardson then went on to act in numerous films such as “Tom & Viv,” “The Apostle, “Rams,” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

Miranda Richardson at the Newport Beach Film Festival Honours on February 9, 2017 in London. | Source: Getty Images

FROM “HARRY POTTER” TO “GAME OF THRONES”

“Potterheads,” meaning Fans of the “Harry Potter” universe, know Richardson as Rita Skeeter. Skeeter is a mischievous reporter with a magical pen, always willing to twist the latest story.

The character not only appears in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” – Skeeter also reprises the role in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.”

Then, Richardson began moving from one fantasy world to another — to act in an HBO “Game of Thrones” prequel as a significant character.

She would have developed the movie with a star-studded cast, including Naomi Watts, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Ivanno Jeremiah. 

More big names surrounded the project: The prequel’s showrunner was Jane Goldman, who worked with the George RR Martin to try to bring it to life.

CANCELING THE PREQUEL 

Sadly, HBO canceled this series. Speaking to the fans, Watts’ apologized and said she also felt pain over the prequel’s termination.

Luckily, fans are getting a new prequel called “House Of Dragon.” The storyline is based on the Targaryen family, set 300 years before Robert Baratheon set his foot near the Iron Throne. 

FOLLOWING THE MAGIC

But cancellations or not, this hasn’t stopped “Harry Potter” actors from having their moment to shine on the “G.O.T” set and vice versa. 

Jim Broadbent, who played Professor Horace Slughorn at the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, also played Archmaester Ebrose in the seventh season of G.O.T.

Michelle Fairley played the fierce Wolfmother Catelyn Stark. She also made a brief appearance as Hermione Granger’s mother in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.”

Natalia Tena played Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter Universe and Osha in “G.O.T.” Then there was David Bradley, who played the grumpy caretaker Argus Filch at Hogwarts, also taking on the role of Walder Frey in “G.O.T.” 

Freddie Stroma acted in “G.O.T as Dickon Tarly — Samwell Tarly’s brother. Meanwhile, in the “Harry Potter” universe, he played Griffyndor student Cormac McLaggen.

Then comes Aberforth Dumbledore, the mysterious brother of Albus Dumbledore. Cairan Hinds played this part and then went on to take a role on “G.O.T” as the leader of the free folk: Mance Rayder. 

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