Evanna Lynch

Evanna Lynch

Lynch at a London signing in December 2009
Born 16 August 1991 (1991-08-16) (age 19)
Termonfeckin, County Louth, Leinster, Ireland
Occupation Actress
Years active 2006 – present

Evanna Lynch (born 16 August 1991) is an Irish actress who rose to prominence playing Luna Lovegood, a supporting role in the Harry Potter film series. Lynch was cast as Luna at the age of fourteen, having previously acted only in school plays. From 2007 and 2009, she starred in two Harry Potter films; she will return for the final installment: the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Lynch's work on the series has been met with critical acclaim and earned her two award nominations. She reprised her role as Luna in the films' tie-in video games.

Contents

Early life

Lynch was born in the Termonfeckin townland of County Louth, Leinster to Marguerite and Donal Lynch.[1] She has two sisters, Emily and Mairead, and one brother, Patrick.[2] Lynch attended Cartown National School, a public primary school in Termonfeckin, County Louth, until June 2004 and then moved to Our Lady's College, a Catholic school for girls, in Drogheda, County Louth,[1][3] where her father was the deputy principal.[4][5]

As a child, Lynch read the Harry Potter series and became a prominent fan,[3][6] sending letters to the author, J.K. Rowling.[7] She stated in a 2009 interview with Ryan Tubridy, "I'm still definitely more of a Harry Potter fan than an actor".[8] She had never acted professionally before the Harry Potter series, her experience limited to school plays.[9]

Career

Lynch as Luna Lovegood, filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in May 2009

In 2006, agents discovered Lynch at an open casting call in London for the role of Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film in the series adapted from the books.[10][11] Producers were impressed with her affinity for the character,[12] and she was cast following a screen test with lead actor Daniel Radcliffe.[8] Although uninvolved in the casting process, Rowling believed that Lynch was perfect for the role.[13]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2007 was Lynch's debut screen performance. Lynch enjoyed playing the role.[14] The film proved to be a financial success, grossing US$938 million worldwide.[15] Critics praised the performances of the supporting cast, often singling out Lynch for particular acclaim; A. O. Scott of The New York Times called her performance "spellbinding",[16] and Jane Watkins of Country Life said she "[brought] an appealing sweetness to her character that's not so developed in the book".[17] She reprised her role as Luna in the film's tie-in video game.[18]

Two years later, Lynch again starred as Luna in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth instalment in the series. The film broke records for opening-day sales and opening-weekend takings and was the second highest-grossing film of 2009.[19][20][21] Her performance was well received: Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe wrote that Lynch as Luna "combats the movie’s occasional sluggishness with a hilarious sluggishness of her own",[22] and Michael Dwyer of The Irish Times called her the Best Irish Actress of 2009 for her work on the film.[23] She was nominated for the Scream Award for Best Supporting Actress and Young Artist Award for Supporting Young Actress for her performance in Half-Blood Prince,[24][25] and again reprised her role in the film's tie-in video game.[26]

Lynch's filming for the seventh and final instalment in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, took place from May 2009 to June 2010.[5][8] Divided into two parts for financial and scripting reasons,[27][28] the film is scheduled for release in November 2010 and July 2011.[29]

Personal life

In 2008, she studied speculative fiction at the Centre for the Talented Youth of Ireland, a summer school for gifted teens, in Glasnevin, Dublin.[30] While on the Harry Potter set, Lynch was tutored for at least three hours a day.[8]

Besides acting, she has made and helped design a number of fashion accessories for the Harry Potter films,[5][31] and modeled for Katrin Thomas and Ciaran Sweeney.[32] Unsure about her future plans,[2] Lynch has expressed interest in art, dance, filmmaking, theatre acting and attending university.[5][8] Her charity work includes participation with the Harry Potter Alliance, in which she supported same-sex marriage in Maine.[33]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Luna Lovegood
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Nominated—Scream Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress
2010–11 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows post-production
Video games
Year Game Role Notes
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Luna Lovegood
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Potter girl Evanna speaks only to the Drogheda Independent". Drogheda Independent (Independent News & Media). 8 February 2006. http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/frontpage/potter-girl-evanna-speaks-only-to-the-drogheda-independent-610760.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hogan, Louise (9 July 2007). "Evanna goes Potty as big screen wins over her dad". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). http://www.independent.ie/national-news/evanna-goes-potty-as-big-screen-wins-over-her-dad-995614.html. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Evanna let out of hospital to get Potter book". Drogheda Independent (Independent News & Media). 26 June 2003. http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/premium/news/evanna-let-out-of-hospital-to-get-potter-book-757984.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  4. ↑ Bray, Allison (14 July 2009). "Evanna casts a spell as stars step out for Potter". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/evanna-casts-a-spell-as-stars-step-out-for-potter-1820362.html. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 O'Toole, Sascha (12 June 2010). "Evanna wins art prize to add to Potter magic". Evening Herald (Independent News & Media). http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/evanna-wins-art-prize-to-add-to-potter-magic-2218384.html. Retrieved 12 July 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Luna Lovegood actress talks Potter". BBC News (BBC). 16 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6900391.stm. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Harry Potter Actors: Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)". CBBC Newsround (BBC). 12 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6890000/newsid_6896300/6896311.stm. Retrieved 29 July 2010. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Evanna Lynch". The Tubridy Show. RTÉ Radio 1. 23 April 2009.
  9. ↑ "Accio interview! - We chat to Bonnie "Ginny" Wright and Evanna "Luna" Lynch". BBC Slink. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/slink/features/dumbledores_army_2.shtml. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  10. ↑ "Luna Lovegood role has been cast". CBBC Newsround (BBC). 2 February 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4670000/newsid_4672700/4672798.stm. Retrieved 29 May 2010. 
  11. ↑ Buchanan, Jason (2007). "Overview of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Allmovie. http://allmovie.com/work/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-289458. Retrieved 14 April 2010. 
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Behind the Magic. Writer: Friedman, Liz. Director: Straiton, David. ITV2. 11 November 2001.
  13. ↑ "Rowling bemoans paper 'shortage'". BBC News (BBC). 6 April 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4882230.stm. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  14. ↑ "Lizo's interview with Luna Lovegood". CBBC Newsround (BBC). 20 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_5190000/newsid_5195400/5195422.stm. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=harrypotter5.htm. Retrieved 20 October 2007. 
  16. ↑ Scott, Anthony (10 July 2007). "Hogwarts Under Siege". New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/movies/10harr.html. Retrieved 29 July 2007. 
  17. ↑ Watkins, Jane (5 July 2007). "Harry Potter reviewed". Country Life. http://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/guides/article/128012/Harry-Potter-reviewed.html. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  18. ↑ Electronic Arts (25 June 2007). Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Instruction manual. Electronic Arts. 
  19. ↑ Serjeant, Jill; Gorman, Steve (17 July 2007). "New Harry Potter movie sets world opening record". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56G4E920090717. Retrieved 29 May 2010. 
  20. ↑ "All time worldwide opening records". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm. Retrieved 5 May 2010. 
  21. ↑ "2009 Worldwide Grosses". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2009&p=.htm. Retrieved 5 May 2010. 
  22. ↑ Morris, Wesley (16 July 2009). "'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' movie review". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/07/15/suspense_in_8216half_blood_prince8217_lays_groundwork_for_big_finale/. Retrieved 29 May 2010. 
  23. ↑ Clarke, Donald; Dwyer, Michael (11 December 2009). "A year in film". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/1211/1224260465255.html. Retrieved 13 July 2010. 
  24. ↑ "Best Supporting Actress - Scream 2009". spike.com. http://www.spike.com/event/scream2009/page/vote/category/33654. Retrieved 8 April 2010. 
  25. ↑ "Thirty-first Annual Young Artist Awards". youngartistawards.org. http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms31.html. Retrieved 8 April 2010. 
  26. ↑ Electronic Arts (30 June 2009). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Instruction manual. Electronic Arts. 
  27. ↑ Malvern, Jack (14 March 2008). "Longer spell at box office for Harry Potter". The Times. 
  28. ↑ Richards, Olly (14 March 2008). "Potter Producer Talks Deathly Hallows". Empire. http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22200. Retrieved 14 March 2008. 
  29. ↑ Adams, Stephen (29 June 2010). "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows trailer released". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/7860133/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-trailer-released.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  30. ↑ McDonagh, Patricia (25 July 2007). "Luna Lovegood's a wizard with words". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). http://www.independent.ie/national-news/luna-lovegoods-a-wizard-with-words-1043541.html. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  31. ↑ Evanna, Lynch; Temime, Jany. (2009). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Wardrobe. [DVD]. Warner Bros. Pictures. 
  32. ↑ Nolan, Lorna (18 May 2009). "Amber breaks down in tears over secret struggle with hair loss". Evening Herald (Independent News & Media). http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/amber-breaks-down-in-tears-over-secret-struggle-with-hair-loss-1742955.html?start=2. Retrieved 12 July 2010. 
  33. ↑ Taylor, Richie (24 October 2009). "Evanna works her magic for Harry Potter Alliance". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/evanna-works-her-magic-for-harry-potter-alliance-1923464.html. 

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