10 Best-Written Harry Potter Characters The Movies Let Down

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The Harry Potter books feature many memorable characters, but popularity isn’t the same as good character development. The truly well-written characters are consistent, evolve over the course of the seven books, and provide a satisfying emotional impact. Severus Snape, for example, isn’t always easy to like, but his actions make sense and are believable, which is a sign of strong writing.

As a new Harry Potter TV series from HBO approaches, it’s a good time to consider which characters are the most well-developed in the original books. The movies left out a lot of important details, so the success of the show will likely depend on how closely it follows the books and includes that missing context.

10. Albus Dumbledore Is One of the Most Complex Harry Potter Characters – in the Books

Albus Dumbledore wasn’t perfect, but he was an incredibly powerful wizard, perhaps one of the greatest ever. The books cleverly revealed his complex plans and motivations over time, which was brilliantly done. At the start of the Harry Potter series, readers initially see him as a warm, eccentric old man who makes quirky comments.

Readers don’t fully understand how much Dumbledore has kept secret until the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – and neither does Harry. While Dumbledore’s hidden actions feel like a betrayal, Harry still chooses to honor him by naming his second son after him. This might seem strange, but it really shows how complex and well-developed Dumbledore’s character truly is.

9. Remus Lupin Shows Quiet Strength Despite a Life of Tragedy

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Man, Remus Lupin’s story just gets me. It’s rough, seriously. He was bitten by Fenrir Greyback when he was just a little kid, four years old! And ever since, every month is a nightmare. He transforms into a werewolf, and it’s unbelievably painful. The worst part is, if he doesn’t take his Wolfsbane Potion, he totally loses control, becoming a danger to everyone until the full moon is gone. It’s heartbreaking, honestly, seeing him fight that battle every single time.

After James and Lily Potter were killed, Peter Pettigrew betrayed them all by framing Sirius Black and giving Voldemort their location. This left Remus heartbroken and alone, losing his closest friends and anyone he could rely on. Being a werewolf also made it difficult for him to find consistent employment. Despite being a highly skilled wizard, particularly in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Remus was mostly avoided by the wizarding community.

Despite everything he went through, Remus Lupin remained a kind and caring person. His dedication to fighting for what was right, and his tragic death during the Battle of Hogwarts, deeply affected fans. It’s no surprise that many fan fiction writers have changed this event, as Remus’s death was incredibly painful to experience. The sheer number of fans who wished he had survived shows just how well-loved and well-developed his character was.

8. Luna Lovegood Provides Emotional Wisdom Behind Her Quirky Exterior

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Luna Lovegood is known for being wonderfully eccentric, but her individuality isn’t an act—she simply isn’t concerned with conforming or pleasing others, which is what makes her such a compelling character in the Harry Potter series. She has a unique perspective, almost like an unbiased narrator. Her beliefs, grounded in logic and reality, make sense given her membership in Ravenclaw House.

Luna Lovegood plays a key role in the story, particularly in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After witnessing Cedric Diggory’s death during the Triwizard Tournament, Harry struggles with the realization that he can’t always save people. No one else in his close group of friends truly understands the emotional weight of that experience. It’s a painful lesson that even those with the best intentions can’t prevent loss, as death inevitably comes for everyone, even the kindest people.

When Luna was nine, she experienced the loss of her mother, an event that profoundly shaped her outlook on life. Her peaceful and understanding approach to death is incredibly helpful to Harry as he deals with his own trauma, and it’s vital for his personal development. Luna is particularly important in helping Harry process the grief he feels after Sirius’s death, a tragedy Harry also witnessed and couldn’t prevent.

7. Neville Longbottom Grows Into a Hero Despite a Tragic Childhood

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When we first meet Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter series, he appears as a timid and forgetful boy who is often overlooked and bullied. However, near the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, he surprisingly finds the courage to confront Harry, Ron, and Hermione when they break the rules. Throughout the books, these moments of bravery continue, and Neville gradually grows into a powerful wizard and a remarkably courageous young man—much like his parents, Alice and Frank Longbottom, who were skilled Aurors. The story of what happened to Neville’s parents wasn’t included in the films, but it’s essential for understanding his development as a character.

It was almost as if Neville Longbottom, not Harry Potter, was destined to be the one prophesied to defeat Voldemort. Both boys were born at the end of July to parents who had bravely resisted Voldemort on multiple occasions. Voldemort chose to target Harry, possibly because they shared similar bloodlines. After Voldemort’s defeat, Bellatrix Lestrange, Barty Crouch Jr., and the Lestrange brothers relentlessly hunted down the Longbottoms, believing they knew what had happened to their master. The Longbottoms were then subjected to repeated and agonizing torture using the Cruciatus Curse, one of the most unforgivable spells in the wizarding world.

As a huge fan, it always breaks my heart thinking about Neville Longbottom’s parents, Alice and Frank. They were permanently damaged and ended up at St. Mungo’s, unable to even recognize their own son. It really explains so much about why Neville struggles with confidence – something those who only saw the films often miss. It’s fascinating to me how Neville and Harry are set up as complete opposites, almost like looking at two sides of the same coin. Harry had the tragedy of losing his parents, but at least they knew him and loved him. Imagine if things had gone differently and Neville was the Chosen One – he’d have grown up orphaned and with that immense pressure. It adds so much depth to their stories when you consider that ‘what if?’

6. Ron Weasley Is the Most Relatable Character in the Series

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Ron Weasley is the relatable, everyday character in the series. He reacts to the challenges of being a teenager – school, friends, love, and fighting for his life – in a way that feels very real. While some fans criticize him, a closer look at the books reveals that Ron is far more than just a jealous character, and actually achieves a lot throughout the story.

Ron Weasley is a realistically flawed character. He experiences normal reactions to pressure and fear, and occasionally lashes out at those closest to him – like when he was jealous of Harry being chosen as a second Hogwarts champion, or when he left Harry and Hermione’s side during a difficult time. However, the important thing is that Ron always returned. He allowed himself to feel his emotions, acknowledged his mistakes, and ultimately swallowed his pride to rejoin Harry and Hermione, even though he often felt inferior to them. This shows his capacity for growth and self-awareness.

5. Severus Snape Is the Most Divisive Yet Brilliantly Written Character

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Severus Snape is a remarkably well-developed character in the Harry Potter series. Readers initially share Harry and his friends’ dislike for him, but his true allegiance and reasons for his actions aren’t understood until the Battle of Hogwarts. Throughout the books, Snape behaves terribly, and it’s only with the final reveal that his actions make sense. While he was drawn to the Dark Arts and briefly allied with Voldemort, the murder of Lily Potter motivated him to secretly dedicate his life to serving Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix.

Snape intentionally let people think the worst of him, except for Dumbledore, and this was crucial to the story. Because both sides in the war believed he was a dark wizard, he was the perfect double agent. While Harry strongly resembled James Potter, Snape’s enemy, Harry also inherited many traits from his mother, Lily – Snape’s childhood friend and the woman he loved. Snape’s every action was motivated by a desire to protect Lily’s memory, which is what distinguished him from Dumbledore. Snape didn’t just deceive Harry; he misled everyone. He was furious when he learned Dumbledore had always known Harry was destined to sacrifice himself to finally defeat Voldemort.

Harry named his second son Albus Severus, a surprising tribute considering everything Severus Snape had done. Both Albus Dumbledore and Snape were deceptive and kept huge secrets, but Dumbledore was good at appearing friendly while secretly manipulating events, even sacrificing a child for what he believed was the greater good. Snape, though awful for much of his life, was ultimately seen as a hero because his actions, both good and bad, stemmed from his lifelong love for Lily. His simple word, “Always,” has become famous among those who believe in true love.

4. Sirius Black Lives a Life Defined by Injustice and Loyalty

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Sirius Black is a beloved character in the Harry Potter series, and Gary Oldman’s portrayal made him even more popular with fans. However, beneath the charm, Sirius led a deeply tragic life. He had a traumatic childhood growing up in a family that believed strongly in blood purity. Although Sirius rejected his family’s prejudiced views, his brother Regulus became a Death Eater. It’s particularly sad that Sirius never learned Regulus secretly switched sides and played a crucial role in helping Harry destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Sirius tragically died believing his brother was as evil as the rest of their family.

Sirius was wrongly accused of betraying his friends, leading to a heartbreaking separation from his godson, Harry. This happened twice: first, he was falsely imprisoned in the terrible Azkaban prison for twelve years, and then he was essentially held captive in his own home, Grimmauld Place, because the Ministry of Magic still believed he was connected to Voldemort. Despite everything, Sirius remained a kind, loving, and incredibly supportive figure in Harry’s life. While he understandably felt immense anger over the injustice he faced, he mostly kept it hidden.

Okay, let’s talk about Sirius Black. His death in Order of the Phoenix still gets me – falling through that veil during the battle at the Ministry felt so… unnecessary. It was heartbreaking because he never got the chance to clear his name or finally have the family life with Harry he always wanted. And honestly, it’s no surprise so many fan fics try to bring him back. I get it! Harry’s been through enough loss as it is. He deserved to have Sirius in his life, and it just feels wrong that he didn’t.

3. Draco Malfoy is One of the Most Morally Complex Characters in Harry Potter

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Draco Malfoy is a complex character who changes a lot throughout the Harry Potter series. Initially, he appears spoiled and prejudiced, echoing the bigoted beliefs of his family. However, as the story unfolds, we see the reasons behind his behavior, and his character becomes more nuanced and less simply good or evil.

Draco Malfoy’s transformation from a prejudiced, privileged boy who disdained those not of pure magical lineage – like the Weasleys and Hermione – into a crucial factor in Voldemort’s downfall is one of the most compelling character arcs in literature. It’s unfortunate the films left out his pivotal moment of tossing his wand to Harry at the Battle of Hogwarts, but fans hope the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series will remain true to the books and include it.

2. Hermione Granger Proves Intelligence and Courage Make a Lasting Impact

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Hermione Granger, being born to non-magical parents, faced an uphill battle to be accepted at Hogwarts. She didn’t have many friends besides Harry and Ron, and many of her classmates disliked her intelligence and love of books. She even received unkind criticism from teachers who should have been supportive, such as Professor Snape frequently calling her a know-it-all. Being Harry’s friend added even more difficulty to the challenges she already faced as someone from a non-magical background.

Every school year presented serious danger, yet Hermione consistently excelled in her classes. She’s become a feminist role model because she’s confidently herself – smart, courageous, and fiercely protective of her beliefs. She inspires women across generations, and with the new Harry Potter TV series on HBO, she’ll undoubtedly continue to be a positive influence on future fans discovering the series.

1. Harry Potter Deserves the Top Spot for Consistent Growth Across Seven Books & Eight Movies

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Harry Potter is arguably the best-developed character in the series, as the story centers around his journey. Many readers connected with him as he discovered magic and overcame difficult obstacles. Beyond typical school conflicts, Harry grapples with increasingly serious and profound issues. What makes him so compelling is that his emotions and reactions feel genuine and consistent throughout all seven books.

Harry is central to the story; the plot relies on him and his believability to keep readers engaged. While he isn’t the most complicated or deeply tragic character in the series, that doesn’t prevent him from being the most effectively written one.

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2026-01-27 23:37