Nicholas Lyndhurst, star of famed British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, is well known for his portrayal of Rodney Trotter.
But, did you know that he starred alongside two Harry Potter stars in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield?
Lyndhurst was in the miniseries as Uriah Heep with Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith. Radcliffe played the young version of Copperfield and Smith played Betsey Trotwood, Copperfield’s great aunt.
Of course, Radcliffe is Harry Potter’s titular character and Dame Maggie Smith plays Professor McGonagall, an iconic character.
Lyndhurst was invited onto the project by Only Fools and Horses writer John Sullivan, who wrote the original adaptation of David Copperfield. However, Sullivan had a disagreement with the direction of the adaptation and left the production.
The BBC then used British writer Adrian Hodges’ work instead, keeping Lyndhurst in the role as Uriah Heep even after Sullivan’s departure.
While Harry Potter and Only Fools and Horses may not have the most obvious connections, they’re there when you look closely.
For instance, David Thewlis , who plays Professor Lupin in Harry Potter, has his first ever role in the sitcom in 1985.
Additionally, Roger Lloyd Pack, known for playing Trigger in Only Fools and Horses, appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Barty Crouch Sr.
Imelda Staunton, who plays Emma Micawber in the Dickens adaptation, also appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as Professor Umbridge.
