Dumbledore was played in the first two Harry Potter films – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – by Irish Oscar winner Harris. The role was recast after his death in October 2002, with Michael Gambon playing the role for the remainder of the films.

Succeeded by the late Michael Gambon after Harris’ passing in 2002, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was the debut of Albus Dumbledore who would finish the films out. While his chapters are very much in the ranks of the best Michael Gambon movies, fans had a monumental bone to pick with how The Singing Detective icon played the part.