There have been some good suggestions so far for casting of an actress the role of Prof. Umbridge in the upcoming HP film, The Order of the Phoenix in this forum, but personally, my vote is for Louise Fletcher who won an Oscar for portraying the soft-spoken but but absolutely deadly poisonous Nurse Ratched in fantasic 1975 Academy Award winning movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson. Her character is described as 'among the most coldly monsterous villains in film history' on the back of my DVD copy of the movie and I couldn't agree more -- she would be absolutely perfect for portraying the passive-aggressive, controlling, and sickly-sweet veneer of Prof. Umbridge. For those who haven't seen her in this movie (do rent it!), I also recall seeing her in an episode of the Star Trek-- Voyager TV series. I'm not sure of the name of the episode she was in or the character she played, but for those who have watched that series may recall it was the one that Ensign Harry (I don't remember his character's last name) gets trapped on an alien planet in the custody of a scientist/ psychologist who pretends to have his best interests at heart but is actually wants to hold him hostage and study him like a lab rat. (Any Trekkers out there who have any more specific details or images of this episode?) I mention this appearance because a) her recent appearance in that show may mean that a) she is still active in the biz, and b) she doesn't seem to object to portraying another character similar to the one she is famous for, and c) she probably won't object to wearing the tons of makeup she would have to transform herself into Umbridge's 'toad-like appearance'! Anyone know if she's still active?

Yes, Louise Fletcher is still active--->clicky here, but she's American, so I highly doubt whether she'll stand much of a chance, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, the IMDB don't have a picture of her and I haven't seen Cuckoo so I guess I can't really judge. It's just that the casting people seem pretty adament about sticking with British people and so far, they've cast people who might not be that well known elsewhere in the world, but here in Britain, they're practically household names - like Eric Idle, David Tennant, Roger Lloyd-Pack etc....

My money is still very firmly on Patricia Routledge too...I've said that before though earlier in this thread somewhere... She's British, and she's the first person I pictured when I read OotP. Apparently, there's a lot of support out there for her...have a look at this article and scroll down to the bottom to see how she's already been noted as suitable for the role.

If she doesn't get it though, there are still a few others I could picture in the role...Patsy Byrne, for example (Nursy in Blackadder II)(Piccy)

I have a teacher, she looks like Umbridge!

(I'm sorry, I speak horrible english )

Yes, I have to agree with Dana about Louise Fletcher's chances of portraying Umbridge being slight, since she is not British. However, regarding the lack of an image of her for other forum readers to see, I dug a little further into the link you provided in your last post and found one:

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/2978/E...tcher,%20Louise

(Looking at this image I can still totally see her playing the part!)

I also agree that Patricia Routledge would be an excellent choice for Umbridge. I have enjoyed watching her in reruns of her TV show Keeping Up Appearances on PBS. I think it is a great testament to her acting abilities that she can portray such a judgemental, self-centered, pompus character with such plucky spirit and dogged determination that Mrs. Hyacinth Bucket ('Hem... Hem...that's Bou[I]quet[/I]!...') comes off as quite sunny and lovable comedic character despite (or because of?) all of her foibles and character flaws. The question is, can she pull off 'manipulative' and 'poisonous' aspects of Umbridge as well as the 'self-promoting' and 'self-righteous' ones? (and Umbridge cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered 'loveable') Unfortunately, I haven't seen Routledge in anything else so I really can't say either way. I do know that she can definately pull off the 'white-doilies-and-pink-kittens' effect of Umbridge's, well, shall we say 'personal style'?.

hello,

I also think that Judi Dench would be great Umbridge with a bit of padding, but if you look here , it looks as if she's already pretty busy for 2006 (when OotP will be filming.)

So far the best I've heard would be Louise Fletcher.

I have to take exception to what most have posted on Umbridge. I think her appearance is secondary in finding the right actress. To me the overriding image of Umbridge is a cruel, mean older woman. If they can find an actress that can do a good job portraying her cruelty and meanness, I think most will overlook it if she is not short or have a toad like face.

As a side note, my image of Umbridge is a complete opposite of what JKR described. I always pictured her as a 50ish women neither skinny or fat. A little on the tall side and fairly attractive for her age but never married to anything other than the MoM. I know the complete opposite what JKR describes. But I did not think her appearance was anywhere near as important as her cruelty and actions towards Hogwarts and the students. Find a British actress who can nail Umbridge's personality and I would be OK if she did not match JKR's physical description.

Oh, yes, excellent work, guys! I do think Louise Fletcher would be a wonderful Umbridge- I just looked at the picture of her, and she definitely seems like a good candidate for the role! She looks as if she could start 'hem-hemming' at any moment.
And, yes, I did some research on Zelda Rubinstein, and I am quite sure she's still alive. She was in a movie of some sorts released this year, but I can't remember it. It's mainly her voice that makes me think of Umbridge- I think she has perfect potential to be nasty. She's my number one pick, though, I'm afraid.

i can just image Pam Ferris being Umbridge...but she was already Aunt Marge.
But she made a GREAT Trunchbull

But thats what i think personally

Patricia Routledge would be great! I, for one, would have a hard time not thinking of her as Hyacinth Bucket!

DAme Judi Dench would also be great, although as it was pointed out, she is quite busy for 2006-2007...

Patsy Byrne would be ideal! I always got a chuckle out of her on Blackadder Good call Dana!

Here's my entry in the sweepstake: Liz Dawn, AKA Vera Duckworth!

(What can I say, Louise? I love that show!)

Cheers!

Another 'two cents' about Louise Fletcher: Yesterday, I just happened to catch a rerun of the sci-fi show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and I now remember where I've seen her before (I now believe it was this show, not Star Trek: Voyager, as I had claimed in my earlier post.) In this show, she had a re-occuring role as a very Umbridge-like bureaucratic character named 'Kai Winn Adami' who has a knack for being very poisonous and manipulative behind a falsely sweet yet condescending and pedantic demeanour. Has anyone seen it and remember her? Maybe this info/ photo link will jar some memories (and it helps provide some character info and a plot context, too):

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:/...%3Doff%26sa%3DG

I don't know why, but I don't see Dame Judy Dench playing Umbridge.. there's a power, a certain confidence that radiates from her that I can't see in Umbridge, who is somebody who wants power, but don't radiate it.

I always pictured Umbridge like the lady (Eleanor) working at the diner in the movie A cinderella story with Hilary Duff, Mary Pat Gleason, I can't find a photo right now...

According to Harry Potter news and ContactMusic.com, Imelda Staunton has been cast as Professor Umbridge.

Click here!

The picture in that link makes her look more like some kind of gothic mentalist, so here's a better picture.



What do you think? I suppose she'd have to wear a lot of make up, but I can imagine her saying 'Hem hem.'

Urgh. I hate her already.

i can't think of anyone for umbridge but i do agree that they will probably use daniel for young james since he looks exactly like james except for the eyes lily's eyes and they could remedy that with color contacts. but i can't wait to see young sirius lupin and snape. maybe young snape will be better looking than alan rickman who i like but is so NOT sexxi. same thing for young sirius. but if young lupin tiurns out to look as good as david thewlis i'll be fine. david thewlis floats my biscuits and butter's my boat lol.

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I don't think anyone has thought of this, but I think that sigourney weaver would be a good umbridge. i know sigourney is a skinny redhead but there's always fat suits and wigs. i watched her in holes last night and to me she has the perfect blend of comedy and scariness that she would be perfect. at least that's what i think.

ohhh that Imelda Staunton is PERFECT as Prof. Umbridge...i mean, she kinda looked evil already in that pic from contactmusic site confirming her as umbridge doesnt she? looking forward to her playing the part as that annoying prof.

They have done an excellent job of casting the HP movies so far, so I'm sure whoever they get to play Umbridge will do a great job of being completely horrid.

Sigourney Weaver would not work - sorry - she's too tall and she's American which would not work. Other than that, she can portray a horrid person pretty well.

Oooh, I love Imelda Staunton, she's wonderful! She was terrific in "Sense & Sensibility." Do you remember her? She had a baby and giggled and really annoyed her husband? She has the short stature and she's a bit round. She could certainly do the "saccharine-sweet" bit.

And as for being rather nasty, well, I also remember her as the voice of the bossy chicken in "Chicken Run," who popped Fowler in the head when he made her angry. lol

Judi Dench could be good too, but I've never seen her play anyone with a sickly-sweet personality before--she's known more for her steely portrayals, like "M" or as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown. That was a great film too.

Isn't it wild how the HP films attract the most wonderful talent though? It's part of what makes them so wonderful to watch--all of these extremely venerated English actors. They are almost a "Who's Who" of classic British actors.

So, just read the latest update here (thanks Matt!) that Imelda Staunton is going to play Dolores Umbridge (wb has to confirm it, but Imelda says so on her site). What do you guys think of that? I haven't seen many of her movies but I think she'll do a great job as Prof. Umbridge. She's got the looks and some of her TV appearances were pretty impressive

I think Imelda Staunton is a good choice for Umbridge. With a little bit of make up, she basically looks how i imagined Umbridge to look. Also she was really good in Vera Drake, and so she may bring yet more talent to the already great talent of the leading adults.

wow.
good news

i think she will be a brilliant Umbridge. she was nominated for the Oscar last year, if im not much mistaken, so she is definately a good actress. AND looking at her pictures, i can imagine her playing Umbridge

I Don't know, I think she looks to nice and not frog-like enough. But that can be changed with make up

Oh, man.....*sighs*

Didn't they even consider Patricia Routledge?

Oh, I don't know....I'm clinging to the books like a little life raft because they're the only sanctuary for the serious HP connoisseur these days.

She's too young, too pretty, not mean enough....but since when do the books seem to matter to the decision makers at WB?

Oh well...with such low expectations I guess there's only one way to go from there. Let's see how good a job the make-up department can do, eh?

Oh, Dana, Patricia's a total trip, isn't she? I love her work. I wonder if they approached her and she might have said no? She's 76 now. Is she retired? I looked at her list on IMDB and the last job she did was to narrate something 2 years ago. She would have been a terrific Umbridge though.

I think Imelda will do well though. She's small, round, and can be annoying in character, all plusses for Umbridge! lol

I still think, that she was a good choice.

She is in the right age (how old is Umbridge supposed to be? 50? ), she has a kind face, but with a huge amount of make up they will definately be able to make her face look like a toad. She was nominated for an Oscar, so she is a good actress. Playing such an awful character wont be a problem for her.

While reading the book I got a picture of Magda Szubanski (Australian Actress from Babe and various other shows) as umbridge. One of her sketch comedy characters looked exactly like Umbridge.

Anybody else think this too?

As it has formally been announced now that Imelda Staunton has been cast as Umbridge, I'm going to lock and archive this topic.

The new topic with discussions about Imelda and Umbridge can be found here.