Rupert Grint says making Harry Potter films got ‘suffocating’: ‘It was kind of like Groundhog Day’

Actor portrayed Ron Weasley for all eight films

Rupert Grint says starring in the Harry Potter film series got “quite suffocating” over time.

The actor, who portrayed Ron Weasley for all eight Harry Potter movies – which were released over 10 years – was asked about the role on a recent episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast, Armchair Expert. Specifically, Shepard asked Grint whether he ever feared that playing the same part for such a significant length of time would ever keep him from being “multifaceted” as an actor.

In response, Grint explained that he was “a huge fan of the books” and “obsessed with that character”, meaning he initially “didn’t see that far ahead” in terms of his post-Harry Potter career.

“But there was definitely a time where it felt quite suffocating,” he added. “Because I mean, it was heavy going. It was kind of every day for – I think 10 years in the end.”

Grint said filming all eight movies was “a great experience”, especially due to the “family atmosphere” on set.

“When we first started, only maybe three or four books were out, and it was originally only going to be two movies, and they were going to kind of see how it goes,” he added.

“And it just never ended. ...It was kind of like Groundhog Day, because it was always the same set, the same people. But it was great. I loved it.”

The actor then said he has managed to watch the first film “maybe twice now, and once quite recently” but isn’t able to watch the others. “It still feels too soon, really,” he said. “I can’t detach myself fully. I can’t face it.”

Grint currently stars in the Apple TV+ series Servant, which is in its second season.