Interview: Nina Barker-Francis on Voicing Hermione Granger in Audible’s Harry Potter Full-Cast Audio Editions

Today’s interview is with Nina Barker-Francis, an actress known for her work in Moonhaven (Apple TV+), The Jetty (BBC), House of the Dragon (HBO / Sky Atlantic), and Wolf King (Netflix). She voices Hermione Granger in Audible’s Harry Potter full-cast audio editions for books four through seven, stepping into one of literature’s most iconic roles as part of the ambitious audio adaptation.

I spoke with Nina about bringing Hermione to life through voice, recording as part of a full cast, and joining the world of Hogwarts in a new way.

How did you first find out you’d been cast as Hermione, and what was your reaction?

NBF: I found out I’d been cast through my agent, and I felt a mixture of shock and excitement. It didn’t fully sink in straight away, it only started to feel real once we began recording and I got to hear snippets of the other cast's performances.

What does it feel like to step into such an iconic character that has meant so much to fans around the world?

NBF: It feels really special and a little surreal. These stories are loved by so many people, so having the opportunity to bring Hermione to life in a new way was really cool.

Did you approach Hermione differently for the audiobook version compared with how you might if it were on screen?

NBF: Definitely. Through screen or theatre the audience gets a lot from visual cues, but with audio everything has to come through your voice. The listener relies on you to build the world for them, so even small actions like reaching for something or pushing someone along have to be heard, and those details are a big part of what makes it so enjoyable.

What was your recording process like for the full-cast audio editions? Any unique challenges or surprises?

NBF: The process was fun, I got to do some weird and wonderful things I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to do otherwise, like pretending to have beaver teeth growing out of my mouth or getting to do a spit take, which was hilarious. Some of the trickier parts were certain pronunciations like ‘basilisk’, and trying not to get tongue-tied while keeping my diction tight, as Hermione’s very well spoken and I’m… not so much.

Did you have the opportunity to record or work on any scenes alongside Jaxon Knopf (Harry Potter) and Rhys Mulligan (Ron Weasley)?

NBF: Unfortunately, no. We first met at the chemistry read during the audition process, and then later during a walla session, where we recorded background sounds such as running, eating and improvised or scripted conversations. That was really fun and the closest we got to being in the room together.

Were there any lines or moments that were especially fun or tricky to record?

NBF: Yes! In the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5), Hermione reads out a long newspaper article about Umbridge being appointed as the new Headmistress at Hogwarts. It was a lot of dialogue in one go, and the challenge was keeping the right nuance and pacing, not preempting anything, and remembering that for Hermione, this is her first time reading and processing the information as she goes.

Did you grow up reading, watching or listening to Harry Potter? If so, what was it like returning to these stories in a new format?

NBF: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was one of the first more ‘grown up’ books I read growing up. The stories and films were hugely popular at the time, and a significant part of many people’s childhood, including mine, so getting to revisit them and being part of the new full cast audiobook feels really special.

Do you have a favourite scene or moment from Hermione’s journey?

NBF: I really enjoyed the evolution of Hermione’s relationship with Ron, the will they/won’t they dynamic adds so much heart to the story and their scenes were my favourite to record. I also love her overall arc. When we meet Hermione she’s very focused on proving herself at Hogwarts, excelling academically, and doing things by the book, but as the story progresses she learns the importance of friendship, love and that doing the right thing is far more important than following the rules.

How did you make the character your own while staying true to J.K. Rowling’s original vision?

NBF: I focused on who Hermione is on the page, she’s passionate, driven and always thinking things through. So I let those qualities guide the performance.

What’s been the most surprising or memorable fan reaction you’ve received so far?

NBF: I haven’t experienced any direct fan reactions, but my friends were really surprised when they found out I’d been cast to voice Hermione from book 4 to 7. A lot of them grew up watching the films and/or reading the books, so they’re excited to hear it.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone voicing a beloved character, what would it be?

NBF: Try not to lean too heavily on previous interpretations, if there are any, and don’t be afraid to make it your own. Also, fully committing physically to whatever your character is doing really helps bring the text to life and keeps the performance feeling alive.

Looking back on this experience, what’s the one thing you’ll remember most about bringing Hermione to life with Audible and Pottermore?

NBF: Getting to be part of such a loved world in a completely new way. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to voice such an iconic character, and I’ll always remember how special it felt to help retell these stories.

Thank you, Nina, for a wonderful interview. You can hear her bring Hermione Granger to life alongside a star-studded cast in Audible’s Harry Potter: Full-Cast Audio Editions for books four through seven.

Nina Barker-Francis is represented by Identity Agency Group.