When the Wizarding World collides with real-life drama, you get plot twists worthy of any spellbook. This time, it’s about Kenneth Branagh, the actor behind Gilderoy Lockhart, who somehow managed to turn his personal life into a Harry Potter-esque soap opera. Because, not only did he cast a spell of infidelity, but he also entangled himself in a love triangle.
Married to Emma Thompson in 1989, the actress who played the ever-enchanting Sybil Trelawney, Kenneth Branagh apparently cheated on her with Helena Bonham Carter, the psychotic Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. Well, anyone who thought wizarding drama was dark and complex, they were clearly unaware of the Harry Potter actors’ off-screen shenanigans!
Kenneth Branagh’s Love Triangle with Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter
In a wild tale straight out of J.K. Rowling’s magical drama, a few Harry Potter actors turned out to be as enchanting and tumultuous as a Quidditch match, in the muggle world. Long before appearing in the billion-dollar franchise, Kenneth Branagh, the charming Gilderoy Lockhart with his famously questionable memory, found himself in a love triangle with Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter.
According to reports from The Independent, Kenneth Branagh initially met with the ethereal Emma Thompson in 1987, while filming the BBC series Fortunes of War. Thereafter, dating for two years, Branagh and Thompson tied the knot in 1989. Soon, the pair went on to appear in several movies together, including the 1991 film Dead Again, Henry V, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Unfortunately, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson’s marriage didn’t last long and the couple ultimately announced their separation in 1995. Although the duo had initially released a joint statement announcing citing their conflicting work schedules as the reason for the breakdown of their marriage, it was later revealed that Branagh was actually having an affair with Helena Bonham Carter.
Our work has inevitably led to our spending long periods of time away from each other, and as a result, we have drifted apart. the statement via The New York Times.
Damn! The plot thickened when Kenneth Branagh’s heart got stolen by none other than Helena Bonham Carter, the dark enchantress who brought Bellatrix Lestrange to life with a gleeful malevolence. Well, although Emma Thompson initially claimed to be unaware of this affair, she later admitted to being heartbroken by Branagh’s infidelity. Surprisingly, the wise and whimsical Sybil Trelawney did not see this coming in one of her prophecies.
The Harry Potter Actress Surprisingly Forgave Helena Bonham Carter
Speaking with The New Yorker, Emma Thompson later revealed that the real reason for the divorce was her discovery of her husband’s affair with Helena Bonham Carter, who was starring in his film Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Recalling her emotional condition after learning about Kenneth Branagh’s affair, Thompson claimed to be “half-alive” during that period.
I was utterly, utterly blind to the fact that he had relationships with other women on set. What I learned was how easy it is to be blinded by your own desire to deceive yourself. I was half alive. Any sense of being a lovable or worthy person had gone completely.
However, soon, actor Greg Wise came into Emma Thompson’s life while shooting Sense & Sensibility, who apparently helped the actress overcome her heartbreak. Thereafter, Thompson and Wise dated for eight years until their marriage in 2003. As for Kenneth Branagh’s relationship with Helena Bonham Carter, the couple dated for five years before separating in 1999.
Surprisingly, the three actors somehow got connected by fate when they were all cast in the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. Can you imagine the tension it would create on the set for Emma Thompson to come face to face with her homewrecker Helena Bonham Carter? But shockingly no such happened, for Thompson noted moving past her heartbreak and forgiving Branagh and Carter.
According to Emma Thompson’s interview with The Telegraph in 2013, the actress admitted to taking the high road and forgiving Carter, ahead of crossing path with her. Proving that the magic of forgiveness stands stronger than hate, Thompson, ever the paragon of grace, confessed to making peace with her Harry Potter co-star Helena Bonham Carter, who made quite the impression as one of Voldemort’s most loyal followers.
Oh, we are. Being slightly mad and a bit fashion-challenged. Perhaps that’s why Ken loved us both… Helena and I made our peace years and years ago.
So it seems that while the wizarding world is filled with enchanting rivalries and uber-serious fights, the muggle world offered a refreshing take wherein Emma Thompson handled her personal turmoil and her husband’s affair with Helena Bonham Carter, with a touch of elegance. Perhaps, the muggle world created a larger spell of “moving on and making peace”, that was absent from the Wizarding World.
The Harry Potter films are currently available to watch on Max.
