Thank you to the Harry Potter series for giving us Kenneth Branagh

Do you ever stop and thank Harry Potter for bringing Kenneth Branagh into your life? Because I know that I do!

Kenneth Branagh is one of our greatest living actors and directors. But do you know how many people know him? Well, at least, those people who read Harry Potter as a kid? Okay, basically we know Kenneth from his work as Gilderoy Lockhart.

Which, when you think about it, is not a bad way to learn about Branagh. Why? Because he’s easily one of the most dramatic human beings to ever walk the planet. And who’s more dramatic than Gilderoy Lockhart?

I think it is just fun to think about being introduced to him in some other way. My friends, who are a little older than I am, knew who he was beforehand. So I always like to think about what it would have been like to see Branagh go from Hamlet, another very dramatic man, to Lockhart, who is a different kind of dramatic but almost the same level.

I also just think Branagh is a fascinating human being. His flare for directing and bringing a film to life as it would be on stage is a spectacle that should be seen by all. He’s so smart in his film making and it still is baffling to me how he manages to create these worlds.

I do think that he’s over the top but that’s the styling that you can expect from him. You wouldn’t go into a Nolan movie thinking you’re going to see fluffy comedy so why would you go into a Branagh movie expecting anything less than the most dramatic work you’ve ever witnessed?

Next: From Hermione to McGonagall, the ladies of Harry Potter are important

I wish we could have gotten more of him in the Harry Potter series but I’m forever grateful to this franchise for bringing him into the light for most of us.