Why Alan Cumming Walked Away from Harry Potter

The Harry Potter series is renowned for assembling a remarkable array of British acting talent. While the central trio were relative newcomers, the supporting cast boasted some of the most respected names in the industry—think Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, and Alan Rickman. Yet, one might notice the absence of Alan Cumming, a performer equally at home on stage and screen, whose flair for eccentric roles seemed tailor-made for the wizarding world.

Cumming, who had already made a name for himself in films such as GoldenEye and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, was considered for the part of Gilderoy Lockhart, the flamboyant Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher introduced in the second instalment. His penchant for larger-than-life characters made him a natural contender. However, as Cumming recounted to The Telegraph, the process quickly soured due to what he described as dishonesty over pay.

“They wanted me and Rupert Everett to do a screen test, and they said they couldn’t pay me more than a certain sum; they just didn’t have any more money in the budget,”

he recalled.

“I had the same agent as Rupert, who, of course, they were going to pay more.”

Pay Disputes and Industry Frustrations

Feeling misled by the production team, Cumming was unimpressed by what he saw as a lack of transparency. The suggestion that there was no room in the budget for a higher fee, while offering more to another actor with the same representation, struck him as particularly galling.

“I said, ‘Tell them to fuck right off’ and thought, well Rupert’s going to get the part,”

he said, expressing both frustration and resignation at the situation.

Yet, the outcome was not what he expected. Despite Everett’s efforts—he even brought his own wig to the audition—the role ultimately went to Kenneth Branagh. The choice was somewhat surprising, given Branagh’s established reputation as an Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, and director, not typically associated with comic relief roles.

Missed Opportunities and New Directions

Lockhart, for all his bluster and supposed heroics, is eventually unmasked as a fraud, fleeing when danger truly arises. While the part may not have been pivotal in the grand scheme, it’s hard not to wonder what Cumming might have brought to the role, given his distinctive style and energy.

Despite missing out on the chance to join one of the most-watched film franchises, Cumming’s career hardly suffered. The following year, he landed the role of Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, a character who quickly became a fan favourite. News of his return to the role in Avengers: Doomsday has been met with considerable excitement, suggesting that sometimes, a missed opportunity can lead to something even more rewarding.