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During The "Harry Potter" Reunion, Rupert Grint Opened Up About The Pressures Of Playing Ron Toward The End Of The Franchise

"I felt like I only knew how to do one thing. I knew how to play Ron."

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Rupert Grint reflected on how his sense of identity changed toward the end of the Harry Potter films.

Rupert Grint smiling at an event and wearing a blazer with a t-shirt with a lamb on it

During the new HBO Max reunion, Rupert was asked by Daniel Radcliffe how he looked back on the Harry Potter days now. "I'm very proud to have been a part of them," Rupert began.

Rupert, Emma, and Daniel sitting in the common room discussing their experiences

"I think towards the end, especially finishing, I feel like I lost track of who I was and who the character was," he continued. "I didn't really know where they ended or began."

Rupert Grint speaking
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Daniel then echoed Rupert's sentiment, saying, "There were some things that I'm just like, 'Who am I? What do I like to do? What is important to me?'"

Daniel speaking

Rupert then continued, "It's weird things — even my name didn't really feel like my name. I felt like I only knew how to do one thing. I knew how to play Ron."

Rupert making a face

"It's almost like we did the most extreme form of method acting," Emma Watson emphasized.

Emma looking at Rupert

Elsewhere in the reunion special, both Rupert and Emma said that they considered quitting the franchise due to the pressures of fame. Rupert explained, "I also had similar feelings to Emma — kind of contemplating what life would be like if I called it a day, but we never really spoke about it."

The three cast members standing together on the red carpet at the premiere of one of the Harry Potter films

This isn't the first time Rupert has been candid about struggling with fame during Harry Potter, previously saying in 2018, "I think I lost myself a little bit along the way. With the fame, you’re almost being the character even when you’re not in character."

Rupert as Ron

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.

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