10 Best Performances In Harry Potter

Though Voldemort was easily the most evil villain of the series, Dolores Umbridge was the most hateworthy. Everything she did was sick and twisted, and the manner in which she carried out such acts made her still more detestable.

Given how much of the source material was cut out of the fifth Harry Potter movie, it was impossible for Imelda Staunton to capture all the nuances of Professor Umbridge, but she still did a terrific job with the little time she had.

Her performance perfectly captured the enjoyment Umbridge felt whenever she was committing her acts of wickedness. Her small laugh was especially irritable, as was the wide smile she always gave to her unfortunate victims.

Staunton also balanced Umbridge’s girlish persona with outbursts of rage as well. Despite her small size, she was genuinely frightening at times during The Order of the Phoenix.

It’s a shame the movie adaptation didn’t give us more time with Umbridge because Staunton’s performance never failed to hook in the audience.