Rupert Grint admits Ron Weasley’s legacy still follows him decades later

The flame-haired wizard who won the hearts of a generation still casts a long shadow over the actor who played him, Rupert Grint.

For an entire generation of fans, Rupert Grint isn’t just an actor; he’s Ron Weasley, the loyal, funny, and sometimes bumbling best friend of Harry Potter. Having spent his formative years, from age eleven to twenty-two, fully immersed in the role, Grint has always acknowledged the unique challenge of moving past such an iconic character.

Now, more than a decade after the final movie, the star is opening up about the enduring legacy of the Wizarding World and how he’s truly come to terms with it. His candid comments offer a fresh perspective just as a new series prepares to reboot his iconic role.

Here’s what you need to know.

Does Rupert Grint resent the Ron Weasley connection?

Absolutely not, Grint maintains that he feels “fine” with the lasting association and actually takes “a lot of pride” in the role.

This attitude contrasts with the typical narrative of child stars trying desperately to shed their breakthrough parts. For Grint, the link to Ron is simply a fact of life that he’s embraced.

He recently told BBC News that he doesn’t believe he’ll “ever quite step out of his shadow,” but that he’s fully okay with that reality. The actor recognizes the deep, personal connection that millions of fans share with the Harry Potter series. He described the work as “such a huge thing” that continues to give him “a lot of pride.”

Grint was only eleven when he was cast, and he has often spoken about how the lines between himself and Ron began to blur as the films progressed. He has even admitted that he still answers to “Ron” when people call out the name in public. His experience wasn’t just a job; it was literally growing up in front of the world.

Why is Ron Weasley’s legacy so enduring?

Grint believes the franchise holds a “quite deep meaning” for people of his generation and all the new fans who continue to discover the books and films.

The eight-film saga was a cultural behemoth that shaped the childhoods of countless people worldwide. The original cast has become permanently tied to the stories.

For Grint, the emotional impact is clear every time he interacts with a fan. He shared that he loves “meeting people who really felt this was part of their childhood.” The experience of making the films was “crazy,” especially for a kid who was a huge fan of the books himself, saying it was “like stepping into the books.“

Despite the immense pressure that came with the franchise’s global fame, Grint’s commitment to his character and the world remains genuine. He knows that his face is an automatic trigger for positive, nostalgic memories for so many.

What are Grint’s feelings about the new HBO Harry Potter series?

The actor is “intrigued” by the long-form HBO reboot, which plans to be a “whole new thing” with a fresh cast.

The new series is highly anticipated, planning to adapt one book per season, allowing for a far more in-depth exploration of the source material. This means an entirely new trio of young actors will take on the iconic roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

Grint revealed that the announcement of the new cast, particularly eleven-year-old Alastair Stout taking on Ron Weasley, took him straight back to his own casting moment. He remembers “every second” of that life-changing experience. The original Ron Weasley decided to pay it forward by writing a personal letter to the new actor.

The gesture was deeply sentimental, with Grint saying he was “passing the baton, as it were.” He wished the young star “all the best” and expressed a sincere hope that he has “the same experience” that he enjoyed. Grint has also noted a “bit of family resemblance” between himself and the young Stout.

What has Rupert Grint been up to since Harry Potter?

Grint has intentionally pursued darker, more nuanced roles in television and film to distance himself creatively from the light-hearted image of Ron Weasley.

After the final Harry Potter film in 2011, he starred in projects like the World War II drama Into the White (2012) and the cult classic CBGB (2013).

More recently, he spent four seasons starring as Julian Pearce in M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror series Servant on Apple TV+. The show, which concluded its run in 2023, allowed Grint to play a more complex, “damaged” character, showcasing his versatility. His work on Servant has been critically acclaimed, proving he’s successfully navigated the difficult post-blockbuster career path.

In 2023, he took on the role of Redmond in Shyamalan’s apocalyptic thriller, Knock at the Cabin. While he’s drawn to these more intense roles, he did joke that he’d be open to something “light next—like a Christmas movie.”

Could Rupert Grint ever return to the Wizarding World?

He’s left the door wide open, admitting to the famous phrase, “Never say never.”

Grint acknowledges the possibility, especially since his former co-star Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) recently reprised his role in the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

However, for now, Grint says he’s happy to be “enjoying stepping outside of that world.” He’s focused on his young family, including his partner, Georgia Groome, and their daughter. He noted that showing his own kids the Harry Potter films gives him a whole new perspective on the franchise. Grint’s main priority is exploring new creative territory, even if the pull of Hogwarts is strong.

He even shared a fun, classic Potter detail: he suspects he’s “probably more Hufflepuff than Gryffindor” these days, though Gryffindor remains a close second. It’s clear that even as he builds a successful adult career, a part of Rupert Grint will always reside at Hogwarts.

TL;DR

• Rupert Grint admits he will likely never escape the “shadow” of Ron Weasley but says he’s “fine” with it and takes “a lot of pride” in the legacy.
• He feels a strong connection to the role because of the deep meaning the franchise has for millions of fans.
• Grint is “intrigued” by the new HBO Harry Potter series reboot with a new cast.
• He wrote a personal letter to the new Ron Weasley, Alastair Stout, to “pass the baton” and wish him a similar, fun experience.
• Since the films, Grint has pursued darker, critically acclaimed roles in projects like Servant and Knock at the Cabin to showcase his range.
• He hasn’t ruled out a return to the Wizarding World someday, saying, “never say never.”

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.