Imelda Staunton on Playing Her Most Hated Role

Imelda Staunton’s career has spanned decades, with a string of memorable roles both on stage and in front of the camera. Yet, among all the characters she’s embodied, there’s one she’d rather not revisit. The part in question? Dolores Umbridge, the infamously loathed figure from the Harry Potter films. Staunton’s portrayal left such a mark that it’s hard to believe Umbridge only appeared from the fifth instalment onwards.

Villainy on screen is a peculiar challenge, especially for those who, by all accounts, are quite the opposite in real life. Staunton, known for her warmth and wit, managed to channel something altogether more chilling for Umbridge. The result was a character so detested by audiences that her presence lingers long after the credits roll.

Drawing from Real-World Tyranny

Staunton didn’t conjure Umbridge’s nastiness from thin air. She looked to history, finding inspiration in the divisive figure of Margaret Thatcher. The former prime minister’s legacy is, to put it mildly, controversial, with policies like Section 28 casting a long shadow. Staunton saw parallels between Thatcher’s iron-fisted approach and Umbridge’s own brand of authoritarianism within the wizarding world.

Reflecting on her process, Staunton recalled conversations with director David Yates.

“We had very good conversations, him and I, about the seriousness of this woman and about how dangerous she is to be in charge of children. It was the ultimate nightmare of having someone like that who is really, really interested in ethnic cleansing, which is what she’s interested in. Pure blood. It’s horrible.”

The comparison to real-life political figures wasn’t lost on her.

“We were thinking of having to compare with terrible atrocities and Margaret Thatcher. These people who absolutely believe they are doing the right thing. So it’s not like, ‘I am evil, and I’m going to do…’, and that’s so much more frightening.”

Inside the Mind of a Monster

Staunton’s approach to Umbridge was methodical, if not a bit unsettling. She sought to understand the character’s warped sense of purpose, even if she couldn’t relate to it herself. The key, she felt, was to play Umbridge as someone utterly convinced of her own righteousness, which only made her more terrifying.

In an interview, Staunton didn’t mince words about her feelings towards the character.

“I think she’s a bloody monster and to be played as such. I don’t need to understand what she does, but from a character point of view, she believes she’s doing the absolute best for that school. Yet again, I have embraced a completely and utterly deluded woman.”

She was quick to point out that there’s more to Umbridge than the saccharine pink outfits.

“I’m not just a lady in a very nice array of pink outfits. This is madness and cruelty dressed up.”

Legacy of a Villain

Despite the discomfort, Staunton’s performance as Umbridge remains one of the most memorable in the series. Her ability to tap into the character’s twisted motivations, while keeping a certain distance from them, is a testament to her skill. It’s no wonder she considers Umbridge her least favourite role—playing a character so devoid of empathy is hardly a pleasant task, even for the most seasoned of actors.