Actor Timothy Spall revealed that he initially turned down his Harry Potter role of villain Peter Pettigrew, AKA Wormtail.
In an October 2025 interview with Making A Scene, Spall said he didn't "know much about" the Harry Potter films and books, written by J.K. Rowling, before he joined the cast for the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which premiered in 2004. Spall also said that he "turned it down at first," much to his daughters' dismay
"My daughter said, 'What! You can't [turn it down]!'" said Spall during the interview.
He also said he didn't realize that Wormtail, who has the ability to transform into a rat, was significant to the film franchise's overall storyline.
"My brother said 'Who did they offered you? I said 'It's a tiny part. Some character, Pettigrew, who is a flipping rat.' But I had no idea that it was going to become this phenomenon," said Spall in the Making A Scene interview.
He then explained that he was "attracted" to Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban because it was directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Alfonso Cuarón. In addition, Spall said he wanted to work with Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin, and Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape.
Spall also said that he is still recognized for his Harry Potter role.
"That carries on now, you know. It never goes away, does it? I mean, I got in a lift once in New Mexico. This very distinguished middle-aged couple got into a lift in New Mexico. [They said] 'Oh my god, are are you the rat dude from Harry Potter?'" recalled the 68-year-old actor.
Timothy Spall Shared His Thoughts About the Upcoming 'Harry Potter' Series
During the Making A Scene interview, Spall referenced that there is an upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, which is in production.
"[It's] somebody else's turn to [play Wormtail] 'cause they're making a telly of it, aren't they?" said Spall.
Spall had kind words to say about the upcoming Harry Potter television series during an August 2025 interview with Hindustan Times News. He said that the series is "a new manifestation of the world" of Harry Potter.
"The films are beautifully made which mean so much to people. They've made careers of so many people. But they are just films and one can’t include the whole book… The series will be able to go into more detail," said Spall to the publication. "You'll be able to see things you haven't seen in the films… So you're going to see more. It is not just going to be a copy. Many books are made many times over… Great stories can be retold over and over again."
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