Harry Potter's Great British Thespians
Bill Nighy as Rufus Scrimgeour, 7 and 8
If the Academy handed out an award for Best Overacting, Nighy would win every year. His wild eyes, weirdly drawling elocution and scarecrow body language raise scenery-chewing to an epicurean art. A stalwart of British theater, particularly David Hare plays, he is most warmly remembered by movie audiences for playing the drug-addled rock star Billy Mack in Love Actually. Coming late to supporting-star status (he's 60), Nighy won notoriety in two popular film series: as the pirate Davy Jones in the last two Pirates of the Caribbean offerings and as Viktor the snooty vampire in the Underworld trilogy. He's also terrific playing the newspaper publisher in the BBC miniseries State of Play. As Scrimgeour, Nighy is the new Minister of Magic, trying to retain his menacing authority over Harry, Ron and Hermione. He's a welcome late addition to the honor roll of Potter Thespians.