Veteran actor Gary Oldman, known for his diverse roles, recently expressed critical views on his portrayal of Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series.
During an episode of Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Oldman, 65, described his performance in the beloved franchise as mediocre.
The actor, who returned to screens last month with the third season of his Apple TV+ series Slow Horses, believes he could have approached the role differently.
Oldman suggested that his interpretation of Sirius Black might have been altered had he read J.K. Rowling’s novels beforehand, a practice his late co-star Alan Rickman adhered to.
He joined the Harry Potter cast in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and appeared in subsequent films, including a cameo in the series’ final installment.
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Despite his self-critique, Oldman acknowledged the significant impact the Harry Potter and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogies had on his personal life.
In a recent interview with Drew Barrymore on her talk show, Oldman shared how these franchises allowed him to balance his career with his responsibilities as a single father.
Post-divorce in 2000, he faced the challenge of raising his children, Alfie, Charlie John, and Gulliver Flynn, amidst an industry increasingly moving productions abroad.
The Batman and Harry Potter films provided Oldman with the financial stability and scheduling flexibility to prioritize his family.
He recounted making 27 round trips between London and Los Angeles during the production of the Dark Knight trilogy to be with his children.