Shirley Henderson, a familiar face to many, secured a memorable role in the Harry Potter films – playing the perpetually mournful ghost, Moaning Myrtle. But there was a secret to how she landed the part: a carefully constructed illusion, and a little bit of strategic silence.
The casting directors were seeking someone to portray a 14-year-old spirit, a student tragically lost within the walls of Hogwarts. Henderson, however, was 37 at the time of her audition for *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*. She was advised to simply avoid the topic of her age, a suggestion she readily embraced.
Henderson confessed she wasn’t initially familiar with the world of Harry Potter when the audition came her way. Luckily, her sister was a devoted fan and provided some context. Still, the prospect of convincingly portraying a teenager felt daunting, given her actual age.
She decided to lean into the role with a bold choice: a full schoolgirl ensemble. A white shirt, black skirt, and a ponytail completed the look, a decision she initially found “ridiculous.” Yet, it proved surprisingly effective, leading to a second audition and, ultimately, the part.
The actress believes the ethereal nature of Moaning Myrtle actually worked in her favor. Myrtle wasn’t a sharply defined character; she was a “wispy ghost,” an “old person in a young person’s body.” This inherent mistiness allowed for a degree of ambiguity, diverting attention from any perceived age discrepancies.
Remarkably, even after the film’s release, Henderson largely went unrecognized in public. Her fame remained surprisingly manageable, a quiet success amidst the global phenomenon of Harry Potter. She blended into everyday life, free from the intense scrutiny often associated with blockbuster franchises.
Beyond Hogwarts, Henderson has built a diverse and impressive career. She’s perhaps equally well-known for her long-running role as Jude in the *Bridget Jones* series, a character closer to her own age.
Her talents extend to acclaimed television dramas like *Happy Valley* and *Hamish Macbeth*, and even to the galaxy far, far away, where she lent her voice to the endearing Babu Frik in *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*. More recently, she’s appeared in the Netflix thriller *Dept. Q* and the drama *I Swear*, showcasing her continued versatility.
