Shirley Henderson Was 37 When She Auditioned for 14-Year-Old Moaning Myrtle in HARRY POTTER and Thought, “This Is Ridiculous”

Shirley Henderson’s turn as the eternally pouty Moaning Myrtle remains one of the most memorable ghostly characters in the Harry Potter films, but the story behind how she landed the part is pretty damn fun.

Fans still love her performance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, yet many don’t realize she was 37 years old when she auditioned to play a 14-yea- old Hogwarts student.

In a recent conversation with The Independent, Henderson looked back on the unusual casting process and the moment she realized she was heading into something completely unexpected.

“The casting director said, ‘Go for it — and don’t mention your age,’” Henderson said. “When I was first asked for an audition, I didn’t know who Harry Potter was. But my sister, who was staying with me, had read the books. Still, I wasn’t convinced I could play a 14-year-old girl because I was in my 30s at the time.”

According to Henderson, one of the casting directors saw something in her immediately and kept her real age under wraps during the entire process.

She committed fully, showing up dressed as a Hogwarts student to help sell the illusion. “I went to the audition dressed as a schoolgirl — white shirt, black skirt, ponytail — thinking, ‘This is ridiculous,’” she said.

“I did my wee bit for them and they thanked me. Months went by and I thought that was it, but then they phoned my agent, asked to see me again, and offered me the part…

“Myrtle is an old person in a young person’s body and because she’s ghosty, there’s a kind of mistiness. You’re not looking closely at my face, so we could get away with it.”

Myrtle became a standout in the movie’s darker mystery and has since become a favorite among fans who love her mix of tragedy and melodrama. While many Harry Potter actors found themselves recognized worldwide almost overnight, Henderson managed to avoid that level of attention. She explained, “I don’t think anybody recognized me at all.”

I would’ve never thought the actress who played Moaning Myrtle was 37! Great casting choice, though, because she was great in the role!

Before joining the wizarding world, Henderson had already built a strong career with roles in films like Trainspotting and Topsy Turvy, earning critical recognition including a nomination from the London Film Critics Circle.

After her Harry Potter appearance, she continued landing great roles in titles such as Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Marie Antoinette, Meek’s Cutoff and several more.

Her performance as Moaning Myrtle might have come from an unexpected casting gamble, but it became one of the franchise's fun surprises. Henderson embraced the oddity of it and delivered a character that fans still enjoy.