Aberforth Dumbledore, Jim McManus Options

[Nicola]

Jim McManus has been cast as Aberforth Dumbledore. I do think it's interesting they are listing the barman as Aberforth when his identity hasn't been officially confirmed in the books, only in Jo's interviews. Makes me wonder if they are going to reveal it in the OOTP film... hope the filmmakers have considered that this could cause repurcussions for book 7!

I recognise the name Jim McManus but am having real trouble finding a pic of him - most of the pictures I can find are of a poker player with the same name, not an actor! So if anyone can help me out with a pic, I'd be grateful, thanks.

[marymcbeth]

How's this, Nicola?

I can't place him, but I've heard of him.

And this.

[Nicola]

Ah, I do recognise him now I see a picture... (not the panto dame one!) but I'm still not sure where I know him from. He's been in all sorts of British TV since the 1960s, inlcuding The Bill, Doctor Who, Tipping the Velvet, Heartbeat, Goodnight Sweetheart, Chef, Press Gang, Sharpe, Minder, Juliet Bravo... but nothing that I think I would ever have seen him in. He probably just has one of those faces that you recognise because he has cropped up in so many different programmes, even if you don't actually recognise him!

Thanks for the pics MBeth!

[HogwartsGirl13]

Well, I have a question. Aberforth Dumbledore was only in the picture of the original Order of the Phoenix if I remember right. Why would they put that part in, because it is so minimal. I don't understand.

[Nicola]

Hi Hogwartsgirl13. I was surprised that they listed the character as "Aberforth Dumbledore" in the casting, as he is not referred to by name in the books except for in the photo you mentioned. However he does have a significant part in book 5 and especially book 6. A lot of fans guessed that the barman in the Hog's Head might in fact be Dumbledore's brother Aberforth, since he "looked familiar" to Harry (something JKR wouldn't write unless it had some kind of meaning!) and the pub smelt of goats. It was previously mentioned that Aberforth had been arrested for performing illegal charms on goats, or something along those lines. So a lot of fans thought that they might in fact be the same person, and this would also explain why Dumbledore used the Hog's Head to talk to Trelawney. Someone asked JKR in an interview, and she confirmed it was true - although then to everyone's surprise, she again did not identify him in book 6. I can only imagine that he will have an even bigger role in book 7 and this is the reason why Harry doesn't know who he is yet. So you have met Aberforth in the books - you just didn't realise it!