After his marriage to Angela Scoular in 1982, Phillips decided to move away from playing the kind of lecherous twits with suave chat-up lines which had characterised much of his previous work. Phillips remained busy in both stage and television productions, along with character roles in films such as "Empire of the Sun" (1987) directed by Steven Spielberg and "" (2001). Phillips also provided the voice for the Sorting Hat in the "Harry Potter" films, appearing in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), as well as reprising his role in the final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" (2011). He has also appeared in British television sitcoms including "Honey for Tea" with Felicity Kendal and appeared in guest roles in popular series such as "The Bill", "Holby City" and "Midsomer Murders".