Trelawney Actress: Her Filmography Is Wilder Than Expected

Last Updated: Written by Prof. Eleanor Briggs
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Trelawney actress filmography: beyond Harry Potter

The actress who portrays Professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter films is Emma Thompson, and her complete filmography spans over 80 credited roles from 1986 through 2026, including two Academy Award wins, 15 BAFTA nominations, and major performances in Howards End (1992), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Cruella (2021), and Matilda the Musical (2022). Thompson first appeared as Trelawney in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and reprised the role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011).

Who plays Professor Trelawney?

Who is the actress behind Professor Trelawney?

Noa Lang resmen Galatasaraylı - Galatasaray Haberleri
Noa Lang resmen Galatasaraylı - Galatasaray Haberleri

Emma Thompson, born April 15, 1959, in London, England, is the renowned British actress and screenwriter who brings Professor Sybill Trelawney to life with her signature wit and sophisticated delivery. Thompson won Academy Awards for Best Actress for Howards End (1992) and for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility (1995), making her one of only 24 people to win Oscars in both acting and writing categories.

Complete Harry Potter Filmography as Trelawney

Thompson appeared in exactly two Harry Potter installments, with her Trelawney scenes totaling approximately 18 minutes of screen time across both films.

YearFilm TitleRoleDirectorBox Office (Worldwide)
2004Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanProfessor Sybill TrelawneyAlfonso Cuarón$797.0 million
2011Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2Professor Sybill TrelawneyDavid Yates$1.342 billion

The Prisoner of Azkaban appearance marked Thompson's debut as the Divination professor, introducing her mystical predictions about death and the Grim. In Deathly Hallows - Part 2, she appeared during the Battle of Hogwarts, participating in the defense against Voldemort's forces.

Emma Thompson Full Filmography: Key Films by Decade

Thompson's career breakthrough came in the early 1990s with collaborations involving then-husband Kenneth Branagh, including Henry V (1989), Dead Again (1991), and Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

  1. 1989-1995: Critical Breakthrough Era - Won Academy Award for Howards End (1992), wrote and starred in Sense and Sensibility (1995), earning another Oscar
  2. 1996-2005: Mainstream Success Era - Featured in The Remains of the Day (1993), Love Actually (2003), and joined the Harry Potter franchise (2004)
  3. 2006-2019: Versatile Character Actress Era - Starred in Stranger Than Fiction (2006), An Education (2009), Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Men in Black: International (2019)
  4. 2020-2026: Contemporary Era - Played the Baroness in Cruella (2021), Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical (2022), with upcoming roles in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) and Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie (2026)

Notable Film Roles Beyond Harry Potter

Thompson's award-winning performances include her portrayal of P.L. Travers in Saving Mr. Banks (2013), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination and critical acclaim for capturing the Mary Poppins author's complexity.

  • Howards End (1992) - Margaret Schlegel; won Academy Award for Best Actress
  • The Remains of the Day (1993) - Miss Kenton; BAFTA nomination for Best Actress
  • Sense and Sensibility (1995) - Elinor Dashwood; won Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
  • In the Name of the Father (1993) - Guildford Four lawyer; critical acclaim
  • Love Actually (2003) - Karen; iconic holiday film role
  • Brave (2012) - Queen Elinor (voice); Pixar animated feature
  • Cruella (2021) - The Baroness; major Disney villain role
  • Matilda the Musical (2022) - Miss Trunchbull; Broadway adaptation

Television and Voice Work

Thompson's television career includes starring as Vivienne Rook in the acclaimed HBO/BBC series Years and Years (2019), a political drama that aired across six episodes and garnered her a BAFTA TV Award nomination.

YearTV TitleRoleEpisodesNetwork
2019Years and YearsVivienne Rook6HBO/BBC One
2022Why Didn't They Ask Evans?Lady Marcham3Amazon Prime
2025-Down Cemetery RoadZoë Boehm8Schema TV

Her voice work includes Queen Elinor in Disney-Pixar's Brave (2012), which grossed $540.4 million worldwide and earned an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Thompson also voiced Polynesia the parrot in Dolittle (2020).

Awards and Recognition Statistics

With a career spanning 36 years from 1986 to 2026, Thompson has accumulated 101 acting credits, 14 writing credits, and 11 producing credits according to IMDb.

  • Academy Awards: 2 wins (Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay), 6 nominations total
  • BAFTA Awards: 5 wins, 15 nominations across acting and writing categories
  • Golden Globe Awards: 2 wins, 7 nominations
  • Screen Actors Guild Awards: 1 win, 8 nominations
  • Box Office Total: Over $5.2 billion worldwide across all credited films

Recent and Upcoming Projects (2024-2026)

Thompson continues active work with three 2025-2026 releases confirmed: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (as Dr. Rawlings), The Fisherwoman, and Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie.

  1. 2025: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - Dr. Rawlings (release date: February 14, 2025)
  2. 2025: The Fisherwoman - Lead role (TBA release)
  3. 2026: Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie - Cast member (TBA release)
  4. 2025-2026: Down Cemetery Road - Zoë Boehm (8-episode limited series)

Historical Context: Career Trajectory Analysis

Thompson's career demonstrates remarkable longevity, transitioning from stage-trained Shakespearean actress in the late 1980s to Hollywood A-lister in the 1990s, then to respected character actress in the 2010s-2020s.

Her 1992 breakthrough with Howards End established her as a leading dramatic actress, while the 1995 Sense and Sensibility screenplay win demonstrated her dual talent as writer-performer, a rarity in British cinema. The 2004 addition of Trelawney to her filmography introduced her to global younger audiences, expanding her fanbase significantly beyond arthouse cinema circles.

In the 2020s decade, Thompson has embraced villainous and comedic roles (Baroness in Cruella, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda), showcasing her versatility while maintaining her reputation for sophisticated performances. Her filmography reflects 36 years of continuous work without significant career gaps, an exceptional achievement in the entertainment industry.

Where to Find Complete Filmography Data

For the most comprehensive listing of all 101+ credited roles, consult IMDb's Emma Thompson page, which maintains chronological ordering with release dates and character names. Rotten Tomatoes also provides a curated filmography with critic and audience scores for each title.

Thompson's Wikipedia page "Emma Thompson on screen and stage" contains detailed film-by-film breakdowns including directors, co-stars, and production notes. German film database Filmstarts lists upcoming projects through 2026 with confirmed release windows.

Everything you need to know about Trelawney Actress Her Filmography Is Wilder Than Expected

How many Harry Potter films did Emma Thompson appear in?

Emma Thompson appeared in exactly two Harry Potter films: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011), both as Professor Sybill Trelawney.

Did Emma Thompson win an Oscar for Harry Potter?

No, Emma Thompson did not win an Oscar for Harry Potter. Her two Academy Awards were for Howards End (Best Actress, 1992) and Sense and Sensibility (Best Adapted Screenplay, 1995), both predating her Harry Potter debut.

What is Emma Thompson's most recent film role?

As of May 2026, Thompson's most recently released film is Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (February 2025), where she plays Dr. Rawlings, with Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie scheduled for 2026 release.

Is Emma Thompson still acting in 2026?

Yes, Emma Thompson remains actively working in 2026, with Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie in post-production and the limited series Down Cemetery Road airing new episodes.

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