Say what!? This Harry Potter star celebrated Carnival in the Netherlands this year

Accio een biertje! 🍺🪄

Harry Potter and Dutch Carnival celebrations are two things we never quite thought we’d see in the same sentence, but the two worlds had a rather unexpected collision.

How? This year, Harry Potter star Josh Herdman turned up at Dutch Carnival celebrations in Gelderland.

“Today we’re going to get drunk.” Herdman told AD, who met up with the star and his wife at a café in Elst, Gelderland. “That’s the idea, and just chill.”

In true Carnival spirit, he had dressed up for the occasion — donning a wig and tracksuit reminiscent of Barrie Butsers from New Kids (a Dutch comedy series).

He and his wife were also joined by his distant cousin, a resident of Elst.

The actor is best known for playing Goyle

Herdman rose to fame playing Gregory Goyle (Karel Kwast) in the Harry Potter film series, where he was a minor antagonist to the titular Potter and one of Draco Malfoy’s two burly henchmen.

Reportedly, he had first tried out for the part of Harry’s cousin and childhood bully Dudley Dursley — a role that later went to Harry Melling (of The Queen’s Gambit fame).

“I didn’t hear anything for three weeks,” Herdman recounted to AD, “and then the director asked me back for the role of Goyle.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Accuracy, clarity, and a touch of humour — that’s DutchReview. Read our editorial mission.

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
Liana juggles her role as an Editor with wrapping up a degree in cognitive linguistics and assisting with DutchReview's affiliate portfolio. Since arriving in the Netherlands for her studies in 2018, she's thrilled to have the 'write' opportunity to help other internationals feel more at home here — whether that's by penning an article on the best SIMs to buy in NL, the latest banking features, or important things to know about Dutch health insurance.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

Best weed in Amsterdam: top strains & cannabis guide 2026

Amsterdam has hundreds of coffeeshops, but we've done the hard work for you — visiting 10 of the best, picking the top strain at...

The 17 best coffeeshops in Amsterdam in 2026

Looking for the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam? As an international living in the Dutch capital, I’ve spent years exploring the city’s iconic cannabis spots...

The best edibles and space cakes in Amsterdam: The ultimate guide for 2026

Edibles in Amsterdam are a rite of passage — and this guide covers everything you need to know before you take a bite: what...

It's happening

Upcoming events