Miriam Margolyes says ‘if your balls have dropped you need to get over’ Harry Potter

"If your balls have dropped, then it’s time to forget about it."

A legend of British stage and screen, to many Margolyes is best known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films.

But in an interview with New Zealand's 1News, she spoke of her indifference to the franchise.

She told the channel: "I worry about Harry Potter fans. They should be over that by now.

"You know, I mean, it was 25 years ago, and it’s for children. I think it’s for children. But they get stuck in it.”

The actor revealed that she often gets requests on Cameo from fans who are having Harry Potter-themed weddings, something which she also can't wrap her head around.

She said: "I do cameos and people say 'oh, I'm having a Harry Potter themed wedding' and I think 'Gosh, what’s their first night of fun going to be?' I can’t even think about it.”

Margolyes did say that she thinks the Wizarding World stories are "wonderful" and that she is "grateful" to the franchise, but that it is "over."

She reiterated her comments in a new interview with Australia's ABC News Breakfast, where one of the hosts was wearing a Gryffindor scarf.

"Is that a Harry Potter scarf?" Margolyes asked. "I’m not unhappy about it. I just think that it’s for children.

"And if your balls have dropped, then it’s time to forget about it. You know, go on to other things."

She added: "No seriously! It’s a great series. It’s a wonderful set of films. I’m proud I was in it, but it was 25 years ago. You know, grow up!"

This isn't the first time the 82-year-old has spoken of her indifference to Harry Potter. Back in 2020 she said in a Cameo to a fan: “I’m not [a Harry Potter fan]. I’m not against it, I’m just not interested.

“I’ve never seen a film. I’ve never seen the books, I’ve never read them. I just pocket the money when it comes and I’m very grateful for it.”

And last year she told British Vogue that Harry Potter "wasn't important," adding: "I was very glad I got the part and I enjoyed being in it and meeting all the people, but it’s not Charles Dickens."

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