The British film industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential behind-the-scenes figures, Susie Figgis, who has died at the age of 77 following a battle with cancer. Figgis was the revered casting director responsible for discovering the young leads of the Harry Potter film franchise and for the inspired suggestion of Ben Kingsley for the title role in Gandhi.
The Architect of Iconic Casts
Over a prolific career spanning more than 100 films, Figgis displayed an unerring eye for talent. Her breakthrough came with Sir Richard Attenborough's epic Gandhi in 1982, where she persuaded the director to abandon ideas of casting a white actor and instead championed Ben Kingsley, a decision that earned the actor an Oscar. She repeated this success with Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves (1984), casting Terence Stamp as a devilish chauffeur.
Figgis had a particular gift for spotting fresh faces who would become major stars. She was instrumental in launching the careers of Greta Scacchi in Heat and Dust, Cathy Tyson in Mona Lisa, and Emily Woof in The Full Monty. Her method often involved scouting schools, a tactic that led her to discover a young Lena Headey for Waterland and Jodhi May for A World Apart.
The Monumental Harry Potter Search
Her most famous undertaking began in the late 1990s, tasked with finding the three unknown children to lead the Harry Potter film series. Figgis and her team saw tens of thousands of children across Britain and Ireland, adhering to a strict brief to consider only those aged nine to eleven.
While producer David Heyman had already noted a young Daniel Radcliffe from a BBC adaptation, Figgis initially faced obstacles as the boy's parents were reluctant to move to Los Angeles. The search for Harry, Ron, and Hermione continued. Rupert Grint auditioned with a homemade rap video, and Emma Watson was seen at her Oxford school. After considering over 40,000 boys and growing frustrated, Figgis left the production. However, her early belief in Radcliffe was vindicated when the production ultimately returned to cast him, alongside Grint and Watson, launching their enduring careers.
A Life of Principle and Passion
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, on 24 March 1948, Figgis moved to Britain at age ten. She began her career as an actor in experimental theatre before becoming an assistant to casting director Miriam Brickman. She was known for her independent spirit and strong principles.
During the 1980s, she undertook secret, passionate work for the anti-apartheid cause, operating as part of an underground network in London. She relayed communications, transferred funds, and provided safe houses for ANC supporters. One such activist, Bill Anderson, whom she sheltered in 1988, later became her husband.
Figgis remained a sought-after collaborator for major directors, working repeatedly with Neil Jordan on films like The Crying Game and with Tim Burton on projects including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd. Her final major credit was helping to bring Rami Malek to international fame as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
Susie Figgis died on 12 December 2025. She is survived by her husband Bill, their daughter Anu, and her stepdaughter Ntsiki. Her legacy is the constellation of stars she discovered and the iconic characters she helped bring to life with perfect casting.
