My performance as Sirius Black was mediocre in ‘Harry Potter’: Gary Oldman

In a candid revelation, renowned actor Gary Oldman opened up about his perceived shortcomings in his portrayal of Sirius Black in the iconic "Harry Potter" film series. Oldman, speaking on Thursday's episode of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, expressed his belief that his work in the beloved wizarding world was "mediocre."

The seasoned actor, who played the pivotal role of Sirius Black, Harry Potter's long-lost godfather and framed fugitive, admitted to a lack of satisfaction with his performance. Reflecting on his approach to the character, Oldman suggested that a more serious and informed perspective might have altered his portrayal.

"I think my work is mediocre in it," Oldman confessed during the podcast, further speculating that reading the books, much like his late co-star Alan Rickman did, might have provided valuable insights. "Maybe if I had known what's coming, I honestly think I would've played it differently," he added.

Oldman portrayed Sirius Black in four out of the eight "Harry Potter" franchise films, including the third instalment, "Prisoner of Azkaban", released in 2004. Despite his critical view of his work in the wizarding world, Oldman also extended his self-reflection to his broader acting portfolio.

"I'd put it all on fire, burn it and do it all again," Oldman remarked, expressing a desire to revisit and redefine his body of work. This self-critical stance encompasses his iconic role as Dracula in the 1992 film "Bram Stoker's Dracula", a performance he admitted to being "not crazy about."

The Oscar-winning actor, however, framed his tendency to nitpick his own work as a healthy habit, emphasising his constant pursuit of improvement. Oldman mentioned that the motivation behind such self-analysis is the genuine desire "to make the next thing better."

Despite his reservations about certain roles, Oldman remains a respected figure in the film industry, with a diverse and acclaimed career spanning several decades. The actor reunited with the "Harry Potter" cast in 2022 during the "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" special on Max, offering fans a nostalgic glimpse into the magic that defined a generation. Both CNN and Max are part of the same parent company, Warner Bros Discovery.