Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is returning to the wizarding world as Ron Weasley, this time playing the character as an adult in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in New York.
According to the BBC, Grint will reprise the role for four months from February next year. He first played Ron at 11 in the original Harry Potter films. Now 38, he will return to the character nearly two decades after the film series ended.
The play follows Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years after the events of the original books and films. Ron and Hermione are now married and have a daughter who attends Hogwarts.
“Dusting off the old robes. New York – see you all in February,” Grint wrote on Instagram.
In a statement, Grint said Ron had remained part of him since childhood.
“Ron Weasley has been a part of me since I was 11 years old and I can’t wait to meet him again in this stage of life,” he said.
“There is something so full-circle and so special about stepping back into Ron’s shoes now when we are both fathers; it is somehow both very familiar and completely new.”
He added: “And the joy of being back on Broadway, this time in a role that defined so much of my life is truly exciting.”
Grint is the only member of the original trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione to return to his film role on Broadway. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, is also currently appearing in Cursed Child.
However, the two actors will not perform together. Felton’s run ends on 3 January, while Grint joins the production on 2 February. He is currently scheduled to remain in the role until 30 May.
Grint appeared in all eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011. He later starred in television series including Sick Note, Snatch and Servant. He also made his Broadway debut in the comedy It’s Only a Play in 2014.
Last November, Grint told the BBC that he was unlikely ever to “step out” of Ron Weasley’s shadow. “I’m fine with that. I think it’s great,” he said.
Cursed Child producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said Grint’s performances had helped define Ron as a loyal and brave friend for generations of audiences.
They said Grint was not simply revisiting an old role but continuing a journey that began in childhood, bringing the experience of his film, television and stage career to the character.
