It's a piece of Harry Potter movie trivia that often surprises fans: Shirley Henderson, the actress who brought Moaning Myrtle to life, was 37 years old when she auditioned for the role of the 14-year-old ghost in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Her portrayal was iconic, capturing the whiny, melodramatic spirit of the Hogwarts bathroom resident perfectly. But the age difference between actress and character was quite significant.

As we look ahead to the new HBO series, this detail about the original films' casting becomes even more relevant. The production team for the HBO adaptation has clearly stated their intention for a "faithful adaptation" that includes adhering to the chronicle ages of characters. This means we can expect the actors to be much closer to the ages of their characters as depicted in J.K. Rowling's books. For instance, the knowledge base confirms the series plans to stick to character ages, such as Snape being 31 in 1991.

While Henderson's performance was beloved and certainly delivered on the character, the new series offers an opportunity for a different approach. The emphasis on age accuracy for the upcoming HBO show suggests that, should Moaning Myrtle appear, her portrayal would likely involve an actress much closer to the character's ghostly 14 years. This commitment to detail is exciting for fans hoping for a truly immersive and book-accurate experience.