Rupert Grint, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, is deliberately distancing himself from the warmth and familiarity of that role as he returns to the screen. Grint is starring in Nightborn, a Finnish horror film that marks his first feature project since 2013, and he’s signaling to fans that this isn’t the Ron Weasley they remember.
The film centers on Jon (Grint) and Saga (Seidi Haarla), a couple navigating the challenges of new parenthood in an isolated forest setting. Their idyllic life is disrupted by unsettling signs that something is amiss with their newborn son, straining their marriage and plunging them into a psychological and emotional crisis. The themes explored in Nightborn, including the darker side of childbirth and its impact on mothers, coupled with graphic scenes, represent a significant departure from the family-friendly fantasy world of Hogwarts.
“It does go against the warmth of Ron,” Grint told Variety. He’s consciously seeking out roles that challenge his established image and allow him to explore a wider range of characters. This deliberate shift extends to another upcoming project: Grint will portray Bob Cratchit in a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring alongside Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Grint’s career trajectory since the conclusion of the Harry Potter series has been marked by a measured approach. He’s expressed a desire to work on projects at his own pace, a luxury afforded by the financial security the franchise provided. “I’m very aware of that privilege,” he explained to Variety. “It was hard work, but those movies have allowed us to pick and choose, which is just such a gift. Obviously it doesn’t mean you’re always going to choose the right thing. But I do feel very lucky for that.”
The actor acknowledges the sacrifices he made during his years filming Harry Potter, particularly as a child, but remains grateful for the experience. “It’s a long time, and We find definitely periods where you want to get out of it,” he said. “But I have no regrets. It was a great time and I think they’ll have lots of good people around looking after them.”
While Grint has taken on roles in films like M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin (2023) and the Apple TV+ series Servant (2019-2022), he previously admitted to feeling somewhat typecast. He told the BBC in November that he anticipated being forever associated with Ron Weasley, a prospect he now embraces. “I’m fine with that,” he said. “I think it’s great. I love meeting people who really felt this was a part of their childhood.” When asked if he was tired of being linked to the role, his response was unequivocal: “No, absolutely not. I love it.”
Grint’s journey from child star to working actor has been a deliberate one. He debuted on screen at age 11, joining Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001. The final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, premiered a decade later, in 2011, marking the end of an era for both the characters and the actors who embodied them.
The actor’s willingness to embrace darker, more complex roles signals a new chapter in his career. He’s leveraging the platform built by Harry Potter to explore challenging material and redefine himself as a performer. His approach—one project per year—suggests a commitment to quality over quantity, and a desire to maintain creative control. This strategy, enabled by the financial freedom afforded by his early success, allows Grint to pursue roles that genuinely interest him, even if they deviate significantly from the beloved character that launched his career.
Grint’s comments underscore a broader trend among former child stars who are actively working to shed their early associations and establish themselves as versatile actors. His conscious effort to distance himself from the “warmth of Ron” isn’t a rejection of his past, but rather a strategic move to demonstrate his range and solidify his future in the industry. As he steps into increasingly challenging roles, Rupert Grint is proving that there’s life—and a compelling career—beyond Hogwarts.
