Which actress played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films?

Maggie Smith played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

Smith portrayed McGonagall from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. McGonagall is the Transfiguration professor, head of Gryffindor House and later deputy headmistress and headmistress of Hogwarts.

Her performance presents McGonagall as strict, disciplined and highly principled, while also revealing her loyalty to her students and colleagues. The character’s precise dialogue and stern expressions became recurring highlights of the series.

Julie Walters, another major British actress in the films, played Molly Weasley rather than McGonagall. Fiona Shaw played Harry’s aunt Petunia Dursley, while Imelda Staunton played Dolores Umbridge. Smith was also known for films such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Downton Abbey.