I did not mean to offend Harry Potter fans, Gary Oldman says

Gary Oldman played Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films from 2004 to 2012

Gary Oldman has apologised for saying his acting was “mediocre” in the Harry Potter series.

The British star played Harry Potter’s godfather Sirius Black in four films, but later disparaged his performance, saying it might have been better if he had read the books.

Oldman has now apologised and clarified his remarks, saying he did not wish to be “rude” about the much-loved films.

Speaking in Cannes, where his latest film Parthenope premiered, the 66-year-old actor said: “The comments were not intended to disparage anyone out there who are fans of the Harry Potter films and the character who I think is much beloved.”

He explained that as artists “you are always hypercritical of your own work”, saying:  “If I watched a performance of myself and thought, ‘My God, I’m fantastic in this,’ that would be a sad day.”

He added: “It’s not me looking at the movie and saying it’s a terrible film or I’m terrible. I just wish it had been other different circumstances.

“Not to be rude to any of the people out there who like that film.”

Oldman attends a press conference for his new film 'Parthenope' at the 77th Cannes Film Festival - CLODAGH KILCOYNE/REUTERS

Oldman starred as Black in the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Order of the Phoenix, and had brief appearances in the Goblet of Fire and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

His comments came after a 2023 podcast appearance in which he said his performances were “mediocre”, and that he might have “played it differently” had he had a greater knowledge of JK Rowling’s books.

The actor clarified in Cannes that, unlike his Harry Potter co-star, the late Alan Rickman, he was not privy to Rowling’s plans for his character.

While Rickman knew the arc of his character Severus Snape, Oldman was kept ignorant as to the potential depth of Black as a character because “there was such secrecy that was shrouded around the novels, they were under lock and key”.

He said that he may have been able to add more “colour” to his performance had he known where his character was going.

The actor appeared on a panel alongside Paolo Sorrentino, the Italian director, following the premiere of Parthenope, a film about a woman’s life in Naples.

Oldman told the assembled press that he was the happiest he had ever been, after celebrating 27 years without drinking, following previous struggles with alcohol.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.