Imelda Staunton to return as villain Dolores Umbridge in new Universal theme park ride

Karen Butler
·2 min read
Imelda Staunton has filmed scenes for a new "Harry Potter" ride set for the Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025 in Orlando, Fla. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Imelda Staunton has filmed scenes for a new "Harry Potter" ride set for the Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025 in Orlando, Fla. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The Crown and Downton Abbey actress Imelda Staunton is set to return as her Harry Potter film franchise villain Dolores Umbridge in a new Universal Orlando theme park ride.

The character will appear in the Wizarding World's "Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry" ride, which is expected to open at Universal's new Epic Universe park, scheduled to open in 2025.

Staunton last played the role in 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part I.

According to a promotional video released over the weekend, Staunton has already filmed her scenes for the ride, which is expected to incorporate elements from real-life Paris and the fictional British Ministry of Magic featured in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movies.

"Guests are going to walk through the Floo Passage and see the Ministry of Magic full scale, full glory, full glamour," said Hope Glomski, director of Universal Global Themed Entertainment.

Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton at the Chelsea Flower Show 2019 in London. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton at the Chelsea Flower Show 2019 in London. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI

"You'll explore plenty of never-before-seen locations, like the Ministry of Archives and the Department of Magical Creatures."

Other characters who will appear on the ride include Corban Yaxley, Walden Macnair, the Carrow family, as well as a new house elf character named Higgledy.

Imelda Staunton attends the Laurence Olivier Awards at Grosvenor Hotel in London in 2010. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Imelda Staunton attends the Laurence Olivier Awards at Grosvenor Hotel in London in 2010. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI

The rides and films are based on the works of author J.K. Rowling.

Left to right, James Phelps, Mark Williams, Oliver Phelps, Clemence Poesy, Natalia Tena, Evanna Lynch, Jason Isaacs and Domhnall Gleeson arrive at the French premiere of the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in Paris in 2011. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Left to right, James Phelps, Mark Williams, Oliver Phelps, Clemence Poesy, Natalia Tena, Evanna Lynch, Jason Isaacs and Domhnall Gleeson arrive at the French premiere of the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in Paris in 2011. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
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