Janet McTeer is the latest actor to be cast in the brand new Harry Potter series, as Harry’s formidable head of year, Professor Minerva McGonagall. We’ve put together 15 fun facts all about Janet to introduce you to her new role! How will she far as the shape shifting, Ginger Newt loving head of Gryffindor house? Find out where she’s from, what other shows you might have seen her in, which Harry Potter actors she’s worked with before, and her connection to Scotland! And if you liked this, check out loads more Harry Potter stuff here! How about this Magical History Quiz? Or maybe you’re ready for this Harry Potter Prophecies and Predictions Quiz? We’ve even got a Harry Potter Ghost Quiz!

1. She’ll Be Taking Over From Maggie Smith

Harry Potter’s stern transfiguration teacher was first brought to the screen by Dame Maggie Smith in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Maggie Smith played McGonagall in all 8 original Harry Potter films. She passed away in 2024, aged 89.

2. She Will Be Younger Than Maggie Smith When She Takes on The Role

Although McGonagall’s age is never stated in the original books, she’s thought to be older than most teachers at Hogwarts. J K Rowling later revealed her to be born in 1935, making her 56 in the first book. Maggie Smith was born in 1934, only a year earlier, and she was 67 in the first film. Janet McTeer will be in her early 60s when she takes on the role.

3. You Might Recognise Her From Some Other Shows

Janet McTeer has been in lots of films, TV shows and plays over the years, including the Divergence film series, Miss Marple and The White Queen. She also did voice over for the Disney film Maleficent!

4. She Has A Scottish Connection

Professor McGonagall is meant to be Scottish (although this was only confirmed after the books were published), and Maggie Smith played her with a Scottish accent (Maggie Smith also had a Scottish mother). Janet McTeer is from England, but as well as having a Scottish name, she once played Mary, Queen of Scots in a Broadway play! Do you think she will keep McGonagall’s Scottish identity in the new show?

5. She Has Already Faced Voldemort

Janet McTeer isn’t a stranger to the Harry Potter universe -she’s already worked with some of its biggest names! This includes Ralph Fiennes in The Menu and Wuthering Heights, and Emma Thompson in a film called Carrington.

6. We’ll Get to See Her Take on Some Big Challenges

Professor McGonagall is one of the most popular characters in Harry Potter for a reason! Brave, talented, and a little bit scary, she’s taken on monsters, dark wizards and even Peeves the Poltergeist! Which of McGonagall’s challenges are you most excited to see her face?

7. She Will Be The Head of Gryffindor House

As well as being the Transfiguration teacher, McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor house, which means Harry, Ron and Hermione have to make sure to keep on her good side! She can award and deduct house points, put them in detention and even send them into the Forbidden Forest! Hogwarts probably didn’t get a great Ofsted rating…

8. We Might Find Out More About Professor McGonagall’s Past

Professor McGonagall is a pretty private person in the books. We only found out more about her when J K Rowling decided to reveal some behind the scenes info about her past, including her upbringing in the Highlands, her husband and her time as head girl at Hogwarts. Since the TV show will have much more time than the films, maybe we’ll get to see some of this history on screen?

9. Janet McTeer Has Played a Lot of Princesses

Janet McTeer has had a lot of practise playing authority figures! As well as being a Professor in the film Songcatcher, she’s portrayed at least three princesses! This includes the older Aurora in Disney’s Maleficent, and the real life Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz (yes, another Hermione!) and Jacquetta of Luxembourg.

10. She Lives in the USA

Janet McTeer was born and brought up in the UK, but she now lives with her husband (a poet and fashion consultant) in Maine, in the USA.

11. Janet McTeer Has an OBE

Janet was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to acting in 2008. That’s even more impressive than being a Professor at Hogwarts!

12. She Was Brought Up In York

Janet McTeer was born in Newcastle but raised in York. Harry Potter fans probably know York for its historic centre which has often been compared to the architecture of the Harry Potter stories. The ‘Shambles’ a medieval street in the middle of the city, is often cited as an inspiration for Diagon Alley, though it’s more likely that it’s just one of many old streets in the UK that people find ‘magical!’

13. She Will Star Alongside Some Big Names

Janet isn’t the only big name set to appear in the new series. John Lithgow (from the Shrek films) has been cast as Professor Dumbledore (the first American to take on a big role in the Harry Potter universe) and Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Snape. Who else do you think will appear in the show?

14. She’s Actually the Fourth Actress to Play McGonagall

That’s right! Even though this is the first ever TV show of Harry Potter, there have been three other McGonagalls! As well as Maggie Smith in the original films, she was portrayed by Irish actress Fiona Glascott in the Fantastic Beasts films, and by in Sandy McDade the original production of the Cursed Child play in the West End.

15. Professor McGonagall Has an Interesting Name Origin Story

If you’ve ever wondered where the name Minerva McGonagall comes from, here’s the answer! McGonagall’s first name, Minerva, is from the Greek godess of wisdom and war, a perfect fit for an intelligent teacher who’s as tough as she is talented! Her surname, McGonagall, was probably inspired by famously terrible Scottish poet William McGonagall (although the name is actually of Irish origin). We don’t get to hear any poetry from Professor McGonagall in the books…maybe that’s a good thing!