For many, Rupert Grint will forever be Ron Weasley—the loyal, red-haired best friend who stood beside Harry Potter through every magical misadventure at Hogwarts. And, as Grint himself recently acknowledged, that shadow isn’t likely to fade anytime soon. Speaking to BBC News on November 20, 2025, at a festive event to switch on the Christmas lights in Highgate, north London, the 37-year-old actor reflected on a role that’s defined his public life for nearly a quarter-century. “I don’t think I’ll ever quite step out of his shadow, but I’m fine with that,” he said, a sentiment that reveals both the weight and the joy of being part of a cultural phenomenon.
Grint, who was just 11 when he was cast as Ron in the first of eight Harry Potter films released between 2001 and 2011, has come to terms with the indelible mark the series has left on him—and on millions of fans worldwide. “I love meeting people who really felt this was part of their childhood,” he told the BBC. “It has a quite deep meaning to a lot of people of my generation, and even more to generations who are finding it now. It’s great. It gives me a lot of pride. It was such a huge thing.”
That legacy is about to be rekindled for a new generation, as HBO embarks on a highly anticipated TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books. When the three new child actors were announced in May 2025—Arabella Stanton as Hermione, Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley—the news rippled through the fandom. For Grint, the moment was a powerful reminder of his own beginnings. “It took me straight back to when I, Daniel [Radcliffe], and Emma [Watson] were cast,” he recalled. “I still remember every second of it.”
With the baton now passing to a new Ron, Grint took a personal step: he wrote a letter to Alastair Stout, the young actor stepping into his old shoes. “I wrote him a letter, before they started, passing the baton as it were,” Grint shared with BBC News. “It was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience.” The gesture echoes a similar one by Daniel Radcliffe, who wrote to Dominic McLaughlin, the new Harry. For Grint, the cycle feels both surreal and heartwarming. “It’s quite strange to have the cycle happening again,” he mused. “I’m really intrigued what it’s going to be like.”
Despite the inevitable comparisons, Grint sees the new series as a fresh adventure. “I think it’s great that it’s a whole new thing. It’s going to be its own thing, and I think that will be fun,” he said. And when asked if he notices a resemblance between himself and Stout, Grint admitted, “I see a bit of family resemblance.”
Life for Grint these days is a far cry from the whirlwind of premieres and press junkets that marked his Potter years. He lives in Highgate with his partner, actress Georgia Groome, and their two daughters, including five-year-old Wednesday. The magic of Hogwarts is still a bit too intense for his youngest, he confessed, but she’s seen some clips. “And she loves it,” he added with a smile.
Since bidding farewell to the wizarding world, Grint has carved out a quieter, more varied career. He’s appeared in films like Into the White, starred in the Apple TV series Servant, taken on stage roles, and even popped up in Ed Sheeran’s music videos. While he hinted at “a couple of things” in the pipeline for 2026, he’s keeping details under wraps for now.
Yet, for all the new projects, the specter of Ron Weasley lingers—a reality Grint embraces rather than resents. “No, absolutely not, I love it,” he insisted when asked if he’s tired of being linked to the role. “It changed my whole life quite quickly. I was a huge fan of the books, so for me it was like stepping into the books, and that was very special.”
The Potter legacy, though, isn’t without its complications. In 2020, Grint joined several cast members in distancing themselves from J.K. Rowling after the author’s comments on trans activism, which sparked intense debate and accusations of transphobia—a charge Rowling denied, stating her concerns centered on women’s rights in single-sex spaces. When pressed by the BBC about the ongoing row between Rowling and other franchise stars, Grint declined to comment, choosing to sidestep the controversy for now.
Meanwhile, the Potter alumni continue to grapple with their connections to the series and to Rowling herself. Emma Watson, for instance, recently expressed her enduring affection for the author despite their differences, telling the press she refuses to “cancel her out.” Rowling, however, responded sharply, dismissing Watson as “ignorant.” The debate underscores the complex legacy of a franchise that has shaped—and sometimes divided—its stars and fans alike.
Could Grint ever see himself returning to the wizarding world, perhaps following in the footsteps of Tom Felton, who recently reprised his role as Draco Malfoy on Broadway? “Maybe in the future. Never say never,” Grint admitted. “But for now, I think as much as I loved it, I’m enjoying stepping outside of that world.” Still, he wouldn’t discourage his own children from getting involved in the new series someday: “I don’t see why not. It was so much fun.”
And if the Sorting Hat were to make a choice today, which house would Grint call home? “I think I’m probably more Hufflepuff than Gryffindor,” he confessed. “I like the vibe of Hufflepuff, I think. But Gryffindor is a close second.”
As the lights twinkled on in Highgate and fans gathered for a glimpse of their hometown wizard, it was clear that Rupert Grint’s journey with Ron Weasley isn’t over. It’s simply evolving—one letter, one new generation, and one magical memory at a time.
