The success of the Harry Potter franchise propelled the “golden trio” of Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Daniel Radcliffe to unimaginable heights of fame. Spending a significant portion of their childhood on the sets of this multi-million dollar franchise, they became synonymous with their iconic characters. However, when the franchise eventually concluded, the trio faced different challenges. While Watson and Radcliffe managed to maintain their own legacies and recognition beyond the shadow of Harry Potter fame, Grint struggled to break free from that particular association.
In a Bustle interview, the actor who embodied Ronald Weasley throughout the major part of his childhood, shared his side of the story and how the franchise had some negative impacts on his mental health.
Rupert Grint Found the Harry Potter Franchise “Suffocating”
Rupert Grint is now a 34-year-old man, and a father, and has come a long way since his Harry Potter days. The theatre kid that started off as an 11 years old actor in the industry returned to doing theatre post the conclusion of the mega-franchise consisting of 8 movies. Contrary to popular belief, the actor did not get lost or lose the spark in his relationship with acting, he simply just wanted a little break after the franchise ended. In the Bustle interview, he stated,
“Potter was so full on — [filming] all year, then we’d promote the rest of the time. It was quite suffocating–I wanted a break, to reflect on everything… It was an out-of-body experience for a while, but I think we finished at the right time. If we continued, it could’ve gone downhill.”
It was a big role indeed and the fame and recognition that followed was no child’s play. Prior to this, his co-stars and best friends both on and off screen Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who played Harry Potter and Hermione Granger respectively from The Wizarding World also came out time and again stating how difficult handling everything was, growing up. Although he jokingly stated that he still answered on being called “Ron”, the actor has successfully moved on to bigger and better things.
What Is Rupert Grint Up to Nowadays?
Besides acting, Rupert Grint has dedicated himself to various other projects that don’t deal with the lights camera action world, including many charitable endeavors. He has also taken on a number of unconventional jobs, including working as an ice cream man and even venturing into the hospitality industry. In 2011, he opened Rigsy’s Guest House in Hereford, England, although it closed its doors four years later.
In addition to that, the actor is also been absent from the cinema world as he was busy making his name in television with series such as Sick Note, Snatch, The ABC Murders, and Apple TV+’s Servant. Most recently he lend his talents to the Netflix anthology Guillermo del Toto’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and he has no intention to stop. Although his co-stars Radcliffe and Watson chose to stay in cinema, Grint went on his way to experiment with television.
All in all, while admitting that he will always be tethered to Ron Weasley for the rest of his life and beyond, he also persists in leaving his mark and creating a lasting legacy through the work he is proud of.
Servant is available to stream on Apple TV+, while people can catch Guillermo del Toto’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix.
Source: Bustle
