By 2011, ‘Harry Potter’ had featured some of Britain’s greatest actors. Daniel Radcliffe couldn’t believe one legend was missing

By the end of the Harry Potter films, Daniel Radcliffe had worked alongside many celebrated British actors, but one star he particularly wished had joined the franchise was Judi Dench. His regret highlights how even a series packed with acclaimed performers left some dream collaborations unrealised.

Radcliffe, cast as Harry at 11, has said he learnt from veteran actors such as Gary Oldman, David Thewlis and Imelda Staunton how to work well on set. Alan Rickman also supported him during his early stage career, while Radcliffe named Ben Whishaw, Aaron Johnson and Helen Mirren among actors he admired. Dench, who appeared in the James Bond films, never featured in the eight-film Harry Potter series.