Fans Picked Best Dolores Umbridge for 'Harry Potter' Show – HBO Won't Be Able to Beat It

Dolores Umbridge tortured students, turned a school into a totalitarian mini-state, and aided even greater villains. This sweet-looking woman is not only the most hated villain in the Harry Potter franchise but also one of the most remarkable antagonists in cinema history.

There are only a few wizards in the franchise who are worse, but none are as despicable as Umbridge, the very embodiment of power-hungry bureaucracy.

Harry Potter Fans See Emily Watson as the Perfect Dolores Umbridge

Umbridge evokes no positive emotions in viewers, and the actress Imelda Staunton deserves credit for this. With her brilliant acting, she made tens of millions of people hate her character with passion.

Production of the Harry Potter series from HBO is in full swing, which means it's time for a new Dolores Umbridge.

Although the actress who will replace Imelda Staunton may not be announced until the HBO adaptation reaches The Order of the Phoenix, fans have already chosen their perfect candidate for the role – Emily Watson.

Reddit user Lemongrab_Original commented:

“WOW she would be incredible. This woman was SCARY AF in Dune Prophecy.”

Emily Watson Is Masterful at Playing Villains and Ambiguous Characters

Emily Watson seems like a great choice to play Dolores Umbridge. She has the necessary presence and acting talent to take on this actually difficult role.

This is most evident in her recent role as Valya Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy, a character driven by a thirst for revenge, who incites a revolution, suppresses others' consciousness, and subjugates them, all to achieve her goal.

Emily Watson Could Deliver a Different Version of Dolores Umbridge

What's more, Emily Watson could have presented a slightly different version of Dolores. While Imelda Staunton's Umbridge was an exalted, slightly hysterical woman, Watson could have played a more reserved character who radiates danger and fear with her very presence.

And yes, we need another Watson in the Harry Potter adaptation.

All the Actors Cast in HBO's Harry Potter Series So Far

Casting for the Harry Potter series is in full swing, and 18 actors have already been chosen. Here they are:

• Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter

• Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley

• Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger

• Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy

• Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan

• Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown

• Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil

• Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape

• Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall

• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore

• Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid

• Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley

• Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley

• Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy

• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch

• Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge

• Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley

• Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell