Rupert Grint says playing Ron Weasley in ‘Harry Potter’ for decade was ‘quite suffocating’

Rupert Grint poses for photographers upon arrival at the special screening of the film ‘Knock at the Cabin’ in London, Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Vianney Le Caer

Actor Rupert Grint has opened up about his experience of starring as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise for over a decade and how he wanted a break “to reflect on everything”.

The British star, who played Ron from age 11 to 22 said, spoke at length about the career-defining franchise which comprises eight films based on author JK Rowling’s fantasy novel series.

“In the movies (‘Harry Potter’), we merged into one. By the end of it, I was playing myself. The lines were blurred,” Grint told the online American women’s magazine Bustle.

“’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,” he added.

The 34-year-old actor said even today if someone calls him Ron, he answers. “It’s my second name.”

Last year, the Harry Potter cast reunited for HBO Max’sHarry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which Grint described as a “good opportunity” to look back.

“It was happening, I didn’t really have a say. (Being in Harry Potter films) was a really unique experience only us core group really know, so it was nice to see them. It was a good opportunity to reflect on everything and just say how crazy it was. It’s always nice to look back,” he said.

With age and time, Grint’s work choices have become darker. He is part of M Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror series Servant on Apple TV and his upcoming apocalyptic psychological horror movie Knock at the Cabin. Last year, he starred in Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a horror anthology series on Netflix.

“I’m quite dark. It’s definitely part of my personality, especially in humour,” the actor said of his interest in the genre.