Rupert Grint wrote to new Ron Weasley, Alistair Stout
Rupert Grint has written a letter of support to Alastair Stout, who will play Ron Weasley in the new Harry Potter TV series.
Rupert Grint has written to Alastair Stout, who will play Ron Weasley in the new Harry Potter TV series.
The 37-year-old actor - who shot to fame when he played the red-haired friend of the titular character in all eight of the movies based on J.K. Rowling's novels - was keen to help "pass the baton" and offer support to the 11-year-old newcomer ahead of his debut in the upcoming big-budget programme.
Rupert told BBC News: "I wrote him a letter, before they started, passing the baton as it were.
"It was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience.£
Rupert admitted when Alistair was announced as Ron alongside Dominic McLoughlin as Harry and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Grainer, it took him "straight back" to when he, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson were cast.
He added: "I still remember every second of it."
And the British star can see "a bit of family resemblance" between himself and Alistair.
Rupert is looking forward to seeing the new show.
He said: "It's quite strange to have the cycle happening again. I'm really intrigued what it's going to be like...
"I think it's great that it's a whole new thing. It's going to be its own thing, and I think that will be fun."
Rupert's former co-star, Tom Felton recently reprised his role as Draco Malfoy in the Broadway version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - which features the original characters as adults - and he won't rule out playing an older Ron one day.
He said: "Maybe in the future. Never say never.
"But for now, I think as much as I loved it, I'm enjoying stepping outside of that world."
Rupert's comments came shortly after Daniel revealed he had also written to the young actor taking on his role.
Daniel said on Good Morning America: "I wouldn’t say that anyone who is going to play Harry has to [reach out].
"And I have a very sweet, I know a few people who are working on the production so I wrote to Dominic and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back."
The Woman in Black star noted he didn't want "to be a spectre in the light of these children", referring to Dominic, Alastair and Arabella, but was keen to wish his successor well.
He added: "I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time.' And I do."
Daniel, who was also 11 when he filmed the first Harry Potter movie, can't help but feel an urge to protect the new young stars.
He said: "I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them.
"They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, ‘Oh it’s crazy I was doing that.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet and I hope they’re having a great time."
