Miriam Margolyes is an English actress and voice artist. She is best known for her roles in the Harry Potter films, in which she played Professor Sprout, and in the BBC series Blackadder, in which she played the Duchess of Wellington. She has also appeared in films such as Babe, The Age of Innocence, and Little Voice. Margolyes has been acting since the 1960s, and has appeared in numerous stage productions, including the Royal National Theatre's production of The Seagull. She has also been a regular on British television, appearing in shows such as Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, and Call the Midwife. Margolyes is also a prolific voice artist, having provided the voices for characters in films such as The Magic Roundabout, The Corpse Bride, and Happy Feet. She has also narrated numerous audiobooks, including the Harry Potter series. Margolyes is an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, and has been a patron of the LGBT charity Stonewall since 2004. She is also a patron of the British Humanist Association, and has been a vocal critic of the Catholic Church.