Helena Bonham Carter Loves Scaring Kids

…as Harry Potter villain Bellatrix Lestrange.

Bonham Carter has played the Death Eater- who, props to JK Rowling, is one of the most badass characters in the books, tougher than most of her male counterparts and the most Voldemort-devoted bad guy- since the third film. The character is (spoiler alert) responsible for the death of Harry’s godfather and her own cousin, Sirius Black, and Bella is also the first nemesis for which Harry can call up his intense hatred and perform an “Unforgivable” curse.

Fanatical and borderline insane, it’s no wonder Bonham Carter’s portrayal of Bella Lestrange terrifies children, and the actress said:

“I love the number of children I meet who are captivated by it, all of whom think I’m terrifying because I play Bellatrix… How amazing of J.K. Rowling to have captured their imagination.”

Bonham Carter says she nearly passed on her role in The King’s Speech due to Potter-related commitments:

“I actually thought of turning down ‘The King’s Speech’ – although I loved it and the story was worth telling – because I was also doing ‘Harry Potter’ and didn’t want to work 24/7, which is what was required… As it turned out Bellatrix was a nice contrast to the Queen Mother.”