Harry Potter actress Jessie Cave has hit back at Miriam Margolyes after she claimed that older fans of the franchise need to “get over it”.
Margolyes played Professor Sprout in the second film The Chamber of Secrets and reprised her role in The Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
The 82-year-old has been adored by millions of those who fell in love with the film series, but earlier this month was blasted after claiming any adult who watches it now needed to “grow up”.
Speaking to 1News in New Zealand, she noted: “I worry about the Harry Potter fans. They should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago and it’s for children. I think it’s for children. But they get stuck in it.
“I do cameos and people say ‘Oh we are 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. Harry Potter is wonderful. I’m very grateful for it, it’s over. I’m not unhappy about it. I just think that it’s for children.
Miriam played Professor Sprout in The Chamber of Secrets and Deathly Hallows: Part 2
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“And if your balls have dropped, then it’s time to forget about it. You know, go on to other things.”
Following her comments, Cave - who played Lavender Brown - jumped to the defence of herself and her fellow Hogwarts alumni, admitting she was confused by Margolyes’s comments.
Speaking alongside seven of her castmates, including Rupert Grint who played Ron Weasley, she said: “I think it’s terrible.
“I really don’t like that she said that. It’s such an amazing thing that Harry Potter has done. It’s created a fan base that has aged and is still bonded through it and it’s passed on to younger generations and that’s what is so amazing.
Jessie played Lavender Brown from The Half Blood Prince to The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
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"She probably just doesn’t understand that or get that. Just let her be. I think this situation is very unusual."
When the comments from Margolyes first circulated on social media, fans of the franchise were left furious and upset with her comments.
One X user noted: “You would think someone who worked on Harry Potter for 10 years would understand the magic the series holds for people of all ages but I guess not.
"She was clearly just there for a paycheck I guess."
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Jessie slammed Miriam for her comments towards older Harry Potter fans
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A second expressed: “What a shame. She fails to understand the longevity of fandoms, but for many, Harry Potter surpasses age and time.
“The series has had a significant impact on countless individuals, shaping their love for reading and igniting imagination.”
And another weighed in: “She’s an actor that had a pretty small role in the movie, not sure why she’d be asked for her opinion.
"If the interest isn’t stunting the people’s ability to function in the real world I’d say just let them enjoy things." (sic)
