The real-life dame and on-screen dowager countess, who has died aged 89, earned fame in her 70s and 80s for blockbuster roles. But her early work at the National Theatre marked her out as a talent for the agesDame Maggie Smith’s trophy cabinet reflected her extraordinary achievements across theatre, film and television – and in the biggest arenas of British and US culture, from the BBC to Hollywood, the West End to Broadway. A measure of her versatility and durability is that, in the 1960s, she played nine major roles in the formative years of the National Theatre, but also, from the start of the 2000s, appeared in five series of Downton Abbey, the ITV Sunday night series that became one of the biggest popular hits of the new millennium.Her role in that show was Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, who lived in such a bubble of exclusive comfort that, in trademark one-liners, she would drawl in mystification, for example: “What is a ‘weekend’?” That acerbic superiority was a signature throughout Smith’s career, including the part that brought her first Academy award in 1970, against a shortlist also featuring Liza Minnelli and Jane Fonda, for the title role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, adapted from Muriel Spark’s novel about a maverick, arrogant schoolteacher in Edinburgh. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2024-09-27 13:37:47 UTC ]
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In his memoir 'Beyond the Wand,' Tom Felton shares behind-the-scenes tales from the 'Harry Potter' franchise and chronicles his struggle with alcohol. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-10-18 20:19:47 UTC ]
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The actor, known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise and Fitz in the series Cracker, has died aged 72. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2022-10-14 18:09:44 UTC ]
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Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on the TV series Cracker and Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died. Continue reading at CBC
[ CBC | 2022-10-14 17:36:32 UTC ]
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People who turned to books during Covid lockdowns continuing to buy them, company saysBloomsbury has reported a record year for sales, as the Harry Potter publisher said the increase in reading during the pandemic had become “permanent” after lockdowns eased.The company benefited substantially... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-06-15 08:09:40 UTC ]
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Here’s a quick look at some notable books—new titles from David Sedaris, Maria Adelmann, Leesa Cross-Smith, and more—that are publishing this week. Want to learn more about upcoming titles? Then go read our most recent book preview. Want to help The Millions keep churning out great books... Continue reading at The Millions
[ The Millions | 2022-05-31 09:59:55 UTC ]
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The ‘fascinating insight into what was to become an iconic work’ is the only known surviving copy of its kind and is to be auctioned along with a first edition signed by RowlingA prepublication version of the first Harry Potter book by JK Rowling is expected to fetch at least £20,000 when it is... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-04-26 09:29:11 UTC ]
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A narrator can make or break the listening experience. Over several related novels, they can become friend (or foe). Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-01-16 13:00:49 UTC ]
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Apparently, J.K. Rowling’s bruised reputation has not lowered the value of her books. Yesterday, a rare first edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone sold at auction for $471,000, which Heritage Auctions says is “the highest price ever paid for the boy wizard’s debut... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-12-10 18:27:50 UTC ]
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Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are reuniting with other cast members from the blockbuster film franchise for a special 20th anniversary TV retrospective, movie studio Warner Bros. said on Tuesday. Continue reading at CBC
[ CBC | 2021-11-16 22:10:32 UTC ]
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Twenty years after the release of the first Harry Potter film, does he continue to charm children and adults alike? Continue reading at The Conversation
[ The Conversation | 2021-11-09 16:16:49 UTC ]
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Titles such as Tom Kerridge’s latest cookbook prove popular for Bloomsbury during Covid pandemicCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBloomsbury, the Harry Potter publisher, has unveiled record sales and profits on the back of the popularity of titles including Tom... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-10-27 10:02:41 UTC ]
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The installation marks the 20th anniversary of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Continue reading at Media Week
[ Media Week | 2021-10-07 15:35:52 UTC ]
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HarperNonFiction Publishers has acquired Harry Styles: The Making of a Modern Man by celebrity biographer Sean Smith. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-01 12:48:18 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has announced plans for a year-long campaign celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling in 2022. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-12 04:16:37 UTC ]
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Book subscription box OwlCrate has reversed their decision to no longer carry Harry Potter merchandise due to JK Rowling's transphobia. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-08-11 17:30:59 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury is to release a gift book featuring Harry Potter illustrations by Jim Kay, accompanied by quotes from the series. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-04-28 20:34:58 UTC ]
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But company says reading boom may end when Covid restrictions are liftedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury has issued its second profit upgrade of the year, lauding a lockdown reading boom, but the trend may not endure as coronavirus... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-03-24 12:22:49 UTC ]
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Bring great-great-great grandma back to life using deep learning. If you’ve ever seen a Harry Potter movie and were enchanted by those movie photos seen in the world’s newspapers and on mantles, you’re going to want to give a new tool called Deep Nostalgia from genealogy site MyHeritage a... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2021-03-05 06:24:58 UTC ]
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News of a Harry Potter show in early development at HBO Max begs the question: what can justify another extension to an already stretched universe?When I saw the news, reported by the Hollywood Reporter, that HBO Max was in talks to develop live-action Harry Potter television series, all details... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-01-25 21:19:03 UTC ]
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The Hollywood Reporter announced this morning that a new Harry Potter series is in early development at HBO Max. Though HBO Max and Warner Bros. said in a statement that “there are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform,” multiple sources have confirmed... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-01-25 18:25:26 UTC ]
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