Harry Potter Fans Excited as Keira Knightley Voices Hogwarts’ Villain in Audiobook

Harry Potter fans went wild as it was revealed Keira Knightley is the latest star to sign up for the upcoming Harry Potter audiobook series. 

The actress, 40, will voice the role of Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions – a collaboration between Audible and Pottermore Publishing, the latter of which is owed by controversial author J. K. Rowling.

A host of stars have joined the prestigious cast, including James McAvoy, Matthew Macfadyen, Hugh Laurie, Michelle Gomez and Riz Ahmed. 

Having been portrayed by Imelda Staunton in two of the eight films, Umbridge is a terror in the Wizarding World – with horror author Stephen King branding her the ‘greatest make-believe villain to come along since Hannibal Lecter’.

Some fans appeared to struggle picturing Keira’s voice in the role, yet others voiced their excitement over the ‘awesome’ news. 

Excited fans wrote: ‘I love this cast. McAvoy, Keira. Ruth. OMG!… Awesome cast!… This casting lineup is absolutely magical Excited to hear such incredible talent bring our favorite characters to life in the #HarryPotter audiobook series’. 

While Keira is joining fellow esteemed actors in signing up for the audio series, her casting had some scratching their heads in wonderment over her voice fitting the evil character – a stark contrast to her usual roles.

X users penned: ‘Hold up Keira Knightly as Umbridge… How can Keira knightly play umbridge!?… Aside from the obvious idiocy of all of this, who thought Keira Knightly was a good voice fit for Umbridge?’

Rowling critics also criticised Keira for her allegience with the author who has faced intense criticism in recent years for her gender critical views, including from several stars of the Harry Potter films. 

The author has denied being transphobic, but she previously said she would ‘happily’ go to jail for misgendering a trans person and is using the new Harry Potter TV series to fund organisations dedicated to removing trans rights. 

Professor Umbridge, whose character was introduced in the 2003 book Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix, was originally played by Imelda Staunton in the 2007 movie of the book and 2010’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. 

The first book in the seven-part series was 1997’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, while 2007’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the final tome. 

The movie franchise, fronted by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, featured eight films and it has since been revealed the story of The Boy Who Lived will be retold in a HBO series due for release in 2027.

In yet another rehashing, earlier this year the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions was announced, with an all-star cast reading the books. The original audiobooks were voiced by acting great Stephen Fry.

Stephen has now turned his back on the author, accusing her of ‘mocking’ LGBT+ people and insisting he supports the trans community.

Amid criticism over the signing, others penned: ‘In defence of Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and the like, they’re not working directly with that other big TERF, JK Rowling…

‘They’ve probably just chosen to serve the work itself and make it accessible for children, as well as for people who are visually impaired or dyslexic… 

‘The contract is mainly signed with Audible. I don’t think we should jump to the conclusion of ‘Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are transphobic.’…

‘I think they simply didn’t anticipate the disappointment the LGBTQ+ community might feel towards them for taking the job… 

Crazy how Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Kit Harington, Simon Pegg and half of British acting royalty all saw this as just… another cool job…

‘It’s not the world-ending issue you think it is, it’s just you being consumed by hatred of one woman with political views you don’t like.’