By Megan Riedlinger
5:25am PDT, Aug 24, 2021
The witches and wizards are all grown up! It's hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" hit theaters in 2001. Since the first film's debut, the "Harry Potter" franchise has broken records and made household names out of its young stars. In celebration of Ron Weasley actor Rupert Grint's 33rd birthday on Aug. 24, 2021, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the cast. Wonder what your favorite Hogwarts alumni are up to these days? Keep reading to find out!
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Rupert Grint played Harry's steadfast best friend, Ron Weasley, in the "Harry Potter" films. Ron is the quintessential sidekick, not only a provider of comic relief but also an incredibly loyal person.
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Since saying goodbye to Ron Weasley, Rupert Grint has grabbed roles in a few films like "CBGB," "Into the White" and "Moonwalkers" and even performed on Broadway in "It's Only a Play" alongside Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. The British actor has primarily built his adult career on television, starring on "The ABC Murders," "Sick Note" and "Snatch," which he also executive produces. Since 2019, Rupert has appeared on the Apple TV+ series "Servant." He and actress Georgia Groome — with whom he welcomed daughter Wednesday in 2020 — have been a couple since 2011.
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The book series and film franchise follow the life of orphan Harry Potter, who discovers on his 11th birthday that he's a wizard. Harry attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he finds friends and foes among his fellow students. Daniel Radcliffe brought the part to life. He was cast in the role at 11 — the same age as Harry at the start of the series.
The "Harry Potter" franchise filmed for 10 years, with Daniel Radcliffe portraying Harry from ages 11 to 21. At 17, in an attempt to shed his childhood Harry Potter image, Daniel took the stage in the play "Equus" and made headlines for doing a scene completely in the buff. Once the "Harry Potter" films ended, the actor took on some more adult film roles too in "The Woman in Black," "Victor Frankenstein," "Imperium" and "Kill Your Darlings." On the "Kill" set, Daniel met his current girlfriend, actress Erin Darke. He more recently appeared in 2020's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend" and currently stars on the TBS series "Miracle Workers," which he also executive produces. In 2022, he'll appear in the film "Lost City of D" alongside Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum.
Logical and brilliant, Hermione Granger befriends both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley as they all begin at Hogwarts. The fictional character is still considered a feminist icon for being such a strong, hard-working girl throughout the franchise. Emma Watson made her big-screen debut as Hermione and played the character in all of the "Harry Potter" films.
Beauty and brains! Post-"Harry Potter," Emma Watson took on teenager roles in a few more films, like 2012's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and 2013's "The Bling Ring." While continuing to fit in film projects, she also enrolled at Brown University, from which she graduated in 2014. That same year, she was named a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador; she went on to help launch the UN Women campaign HeForShe, which encourages men to advocate for gender equality. In more recent years, Emma's notably starred in the 2017 blockbuster musical "Beauty and the Beast," which grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide. In 2019, she played Meg March in Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of "Little Women." Since early 2020, Emma has been in a relationship with businessman Leo Robinton. She previously dated well-known men including "Glee" actor Chord Overstreet and tech CEO Brendan Wallace.
Serving as a foil to hero Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy is the snobby bully who looks down on those who don't have pure wizard blood. Harry and Draco never see past their differences, but the epilogue provides hope. Tom Felton played the manipulative and entitled Hogwarts student in all the "Harry Potter" franchise films.
Tom Felton continued to act in interesting projects after the "Harry Potter" series wrapped, taking on roles in "The Apparition," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," "Belle," "Risen" and "The Flash." He also had a cameo in "Get Him to the Greek." He more recently appeared on the TV series "Origin" and in the 2020 films "A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting" and "The Forgotten Battle." Tom split from actress Jade Gordon, whom he met on the set of the "Harry Potter" films, in 2016.
Ginny Weasley made her debut in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," but it wasn't until she attended Hogwarts in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" that she became a major fixture in the franchise. After developing a crush on Harry, Ginny ultimately succeeds in wooing the wizard. Bonnie Wright played Ginny Weasley in the franchise.
Bonnie Wright has continued to act since wrapping the final installment in the "Harry Potter" films in projects including "After Dark," "Those Who Wander," "Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg?" and "Before I Sleep." She also switched gears and got involved in screenwriting and directing — she helmed a music video for artist Maguire's 2019 single "Fallible." She and actor Jamie Campbell Bower called off their engagement in 2012 after two years of dating. She was more recently romantically linked to Simon Hammerstein, the great-grandson of famous lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. Bonnie will make her return to acting in the forthcoming flick "Those Who Wander."
Early on, bumbling, awkward Neville Longbottom has only a small role in the "Harry Potter" franchise, but the student who's skilled with plants goes on to become a key player. Matthew Lewis portrayed Neville in the films.
Matthew Lewis made headlines in May 2015 when he debuted a buff new physique that in no way resembled awkward and nerdy Neville Longbottom's. Matthew starred alongside Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin in 2016's "Me Before You" and appeared on the BBC's "Bluestone 42." He also appeared in 2018's "Terminal" alongside Margot Robbie. Since 2020, he's starred on the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small." Matthew also has "Harry Potter" to thank for finding true love: He met Angela Jones at an event hosted at Florida's Wizarding World of Harry Potter in January 2016 (she was an event planner at Universal Studios in Orlando). The couple tied the knot in May 2018.
Witch Luna Lovegood is often described as the anti-Hermione, the opposite of Harry's practical pal. Luna, who liked to "believe 10 impossible things before breakfast," is featured throughout the films as an unconventional and kooky yet brave and loyal friend to Harry. Evanna Lynch made her first appearance as Luna in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
Evanna Lynch was a giant "Harry Potter" fan before she scored a role in the franchise — in fact, she first saw the casting call for Luna on a Harry Potter fanpage. Up against 15,000 other girls, Evanna landed the role and played Luna from 2007 until 2011. She's since appeared in "Monster Butler," "My Name Is Emily," "Indigo Valley" and "Madness in the Method" and has done voice work for "Harry Potter" video games. In 2018, Evanna competed on "Dancing With the Stars," ultimately finishing in third place. She more recently starred in a 2019 production of "The Omission of the Family Coleman."
Dean Thomas was a Gryffindor and a half-blood wizard in the "Harry Potter" franchise. He was often spotted with Harry, Hermione and Ron and was a member of Dumbledore's Army. Alfred Enoch played Dean in the films.
Alfred Enoch went on to star in "Troy: Fall of a City," "Sherlock" and the hit ABC drama "How to Get Away with Murder" alongside Viola Davis. Alfred has also made a name for himself in the theater, appearing in a 2016 West End production of "King Lear" and a 2018 West End production of "Red." In 2021, he starred in the thriller "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Next up, he'll appear on the Apple TV+ sci-fi series "Foundation."
Identical and mischievous, Ron's older twin siblings, Fred and George Weasley, served up a lot of pranks at Hogwarts. The redheaded jokers, who seemingly always worked as a unit throughout the franchise, were separated in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" when something terrible happened to Fred. Real-life twins James Phelps and Oliver Phelps play the twins in the films.
James and Oliver Phelps, who are not natural redheads and dyed their hair for the movies, have remained active in the "Harry Potter" fan community. They frequently attend events including Harry Potter celebrations at the franchise's theme park lands. The duo have also continued to act, appearing in 2019's "7 days: The Story of 'Blind Dave' Heeley" and "Cadia: The World Within." In 2021, they'll appear in the flick "Last Night in Soho" alongside Anya Taylor-Joy.
