Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes’ harsh words for the series’ adult fans as Aussie tour kicks off

Beloved British actor Miriam Margolyes has unleashed on adult Harry Potter fans ahead of her Adelaide show, criticising their “obsession” over the franchise.

Celebrated British-Australian actor Miriam Margolyes has doubled down after backlash over her criticism of adult Harry Potter fans, saying they should “grow up” when it comes to their obsession over the franchise.

Margolyes, 82, who played Professor Sprout in the beloved films, recently courted controversy after telling interviewers that fans “should be over that by now”, admitting that she “worried” about them.

“It was 25 years ago, and I think it’s for children,” Margolyes told New Zealand outlet 1News.

“I do Cameos (personalised videos) and people say they are doing a Harry Potter-themed wedding, and I think: ‘Oh gosh what is their first night of fun going to be?’

“I can’t even think about it. Harry Potter is wonderful, I’m very grateful for it, it’s over. That’s what I think.”

Outspoken Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes says adult fans of the series need to “grow up”. Picture: AAP Image/Monique Harmer

In a later interview with ABC News Breakfast, Margolyes said “once your balls have dropped, it’s time to forget about it (Harry Potter)”.

“I just think that it’s for children. And then it’s time to move on.”

However, she said she was proud of being part of the “great series” and said she was “very grateful” to the franchise.

The outspoken stage and screen star is currently touring Australia with her new live show ‘Oh Miriam! Live’, appearing in Hobart and Perth before heading for Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on March 20, Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on March 22 and the Sydney Opera House on March 30.

Margolyes also has dates booked in Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle.

The show features stories from the BAFTA award-winning actress’s colourful life, including her time in her adopted home country of Australia.

The 82-year-old underwent major heart surgery in October last year, revealing that she had a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Back in 2014, Margolyes penned an op-ed over her love for South Australia, with the Australian citizen saying she had fallen for the city after spending two weeks on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

“For a 73-year-old woman to send a love letter to people she doesn’t know personally should be considered both ill-advised and on the edge of ‘tarty’,” she said.

“But I have to risk that; I had such a wonderful time recently performing Neighbourhood Watch at the State Theatre that I felt impelled to write and thank the whole city for being so lovely.

“Sydney has taken my money, Melbourne has my respect, but Adelaide has taken my heart; I shall return.”

The Harry Potter franchise, with books released between 1997 and 2007 and the original film series between 2001 and 2011, shows no signs of slowing, with Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly set to produce a TV reboot under its streaming service HBO Max.

The TV version is reportedly directly based on the books, rather than an in-universe spin-off, such as the Fantastic Beasts series.