Imelda Staunton and John Lithgow win major Muggle accolades at this year's Oliver Awards

In the world of theater, there are certain names forever associated with awards. In America, they go by the name of Tony after Antoinette Perry. In the British world, they are the Olivier Awarrds. In 2017, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child won nine of these prestigious awards. They honor the finest minds in the theater business, both on and off the stage. The 2025 winners included a familiar face and one we may be seeing at Hogwarts.

Who took home Oliver's to their Muggle dwellings?

Like many actresses, Dame Imelda Staunton has played an astonishing number of roles. I first knew her in Much Ado About Nothing, where she played a maid to Emma Thompson and acquaintance of Kenneth Branagh years before the three were Professors Umbridge, Trelawney, and Lockhart. It was hard to imagine her as the High Inquisitor when she nobly and understatedly portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown.. She first won an Olivier Award for her part in 1985's A Chorus of Disapproval and The Corn is Green

According to Karen Butler at Up!, Her Olivier-winning performance this time was for Hello, Dolly! and was her fifth. The musical tells the story of Dolly Levi, a widowed matchmaker who aspires to find love and marry well late in life. The role is famous for its demanding combination of wit and sincerity, as Levi is the toast of the town as well as a bereaved woman who frequently remembers her husband. In a similar vein, as reported by MSN, Imelda dedicated her win to her mother. "Mum, I'm here at the Albert Hall, I've got a prize, but more importantly, I'm about to do a play with your granddaughter. I wish you were here." She will be taking the stage in George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession with daughter Bessie Carter.

Meanwhile, a biographical play about Welsh writer Roald Dahl gained prizes as well. HBO still has not confirmed if the casting of John Lithgow has been finalized, but the actor won Best Actor for Giant. This is the American actor's first time receiving an Olivier Award and the play also won the Londoner Award for best new play. Lithgow's costar, Elliott Levey, won Best Supporting actor.

"I think I'm going to faint," said Lithgow upon accepting the award. "I can't tell you how much this means to me." He went on to say that "Giant is one of the best experiences I have ever had on stage." He also thanked the community for welcoming him and his wife Mary "so thoroughly to England."

Congratulations to this member and potential member of the Harry Potter family. We look forward to what comes next for you.