Rupert Grint is officially passing the torch — or wand, really — to the next generation of the wizarding world. In a new interview with BBC News, the 37-year-old actor revealed he penned a thoughtful letter to Alastair Stout, the young actor set to play Ron Weasley in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter TV adaptation.
“I wrote him a letter, before they started, passing the baton as it were,” Rupert said. “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.”
For fans who grew up with Rupert as the original Ron, the gesture feels both sentimental and symbolic. It marks a full-circle moment as the franchise prepares to reintroduce the iconic story to a new generation — this time through a long-form, multi-season series.
Rupert, who spent a decade inhabiting Ron Weasley across eight films, noted that seeing the role reimagined is “quite strange,” but also deeply intriguing. “It’s quite strange to have the cycle happening again,” he said. “I’m really intrigued what it’s going to be like.”
He also mentioned he sees “a bit of a family resemblance” between himself and Alastair — a remark that instantly delighted fans online. Casting for the series has been under intense scrutiny, with many longtime viewers eager to see whether the new trio’s chemistry will live up to the original lightning-in-a-bottle dynamic of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert himself.
“I think it’s great that it’s a whole new thing,” Rupert added. “It’s going to be its own thing, and I think that will be fun.”
His comments follow Daniel Radcliffe’s recent revelation that he, too, reached out to the young actor stepping into the role of Harry Potter. While the original cast has made it clear they won’t be appearing in the new adaptation, their quiet support from the sidelines has been widely appreciated by the fanbase.
The upcoming HBO series is positioned as the most faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books to date, with each season covering one novel in the series. With a new creative team, expanded storytelling potential, and a fresh ensemble of young actors, the franchise is gearing up for a major cultural comeback.
Rupert has remained protective yet positive about the wizarding world since the film series wrapped, occasionally commenting on his time as Ron and his fondness for the character. While he’s long said he wouldn’t return to the role, he’s also recognized the impact the franchise has had on his life — and on millions of fans worldwide.
