The cast of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on what it’s like to be a child actor, kissing Daniel Radcliffe, and keeping secrets for JK Rowling.
Evanna Lynch plays Luna Lovegood, an oddball but endearing Hogwarts student and DA member. She is a huge Harry Potter fan and bombarded the production company with letters until she got the part of Luna
What was it like entering an already well-established cast as an outsider?
They were very welcoming. Being a fan I had expected to be out of it a bit, but they really wanted me in their circle.
Do you think you are like your character?
I think I am like Luna, but not as much as everyone thinks I am. She’s not as determined as I am. She wouldn’t have chased the part in the film the way I did. But we both believe in things that don’t have to have facts to back them up.
What would you like to happen to your character in the last book?
I can’t really say too much, because JK Rowling has told me some things about what happens to Luna. I would like to see her find more people like her though. Harry, Ron and Hermione all really like her, but they don’t really get her.
When did you first meet JK Rowling?
The 30th March 2006. It was very special. I was in the hair and make-up department on set and she walked in. I couldn’t believe it. They hadn’t warned me that she would be in that day. For a minute I just stared at her – and she stared back. Then I jumped up and hugged her and asked her lots of questions.
Are you still as much of a fan as ever?
More. It just keeps growing and I’m definitely going to be queuing outside the bookshop for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have had to tone it down a bit though. At home I would use the swear words they use in the books, and I would relate all my homework to Harry Potter. But now when I do that people think I’m just doing it to draw attention to the fact that I’m in the film.
What do your friends think of you becoming a film star?
They were very excited when it happened. No-one has been negative about it. Everyone is just curious to know what happens in the story.
What do you tell them?
I just keep it to myself. I’m great at keeping secrets. I’m honoured that JK Rowling shared that secret with me, so why would I go round telling other people?
Did you ask Daniel Radcliffe for his autograph when you met him?
No – I restrained myself. But my friends were asking for it. That and marriage proposals.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk