‘Harry Potter’ actors reveal what they think of the TV show – and who’s most active in the cast group chat
It’s double trouble – Oliver and James Phelps, best known for playing the mischievous Weasley twins in all eight “Harry Potter” movies, have revealed that they’ll likely watch the upcoming HBO “Harry Potter” show.
“It’s out on Christmas Day, isn’t it? Apart from the King’s speech, we don’t really have much on the TV at the house on Christmas Day,” Oliver, 40, quipped to Page Six.
“We’ll probably watch it at some point,” he told us.
Because the “Potter” movies actors aren’t involved in the HBO series, he noted that they, “don’t know much more about it than that.”
“So, it’ll be interesting to see what the different take on it is,” he said. “Whatever comes from this, we’ve had the most incredible time doing the films. So, I’m sure the [actors] will have an incredible time with the TV show.”
The Phelps twins played the fan favorite characters Fred and George for all eight of the “Potter” films, which came out between 2001 and 2011. Together, they starred as Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint’s) jokester older brothers.
It’s been 25 years since the first movie came out, which makes them feel “old,” James quipped.
In the show, Tristan and Gabriel Harland will play Fred and George.
“We sent them a message just wishing them all the best and all that kind of stuff,” said James.
They haven’t had contact with the Harland twins “apart from that,” because they want to, “let them crack on, and do what they need to do for it,” he said.
Currently, the Phelps twins are hosting Season 3 of their Food Network series, “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” which features teams of bakers competing with Wizarding world-themed treats.
The show revisits the movie’s sets, which brings back memories of growing up surrounded by icons of British cinema, such as Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Michael Gambon, the Phelps twins said.
“Michael Gambon was a practical joker through and through,” James recalled, referring to the late actor, who played Dumbledore in the third through eighth movies. Among the cast, Gambon was, “probably the most different off-screen,” from his onscreen persona, James noted.
These days, the Potter cast keeps in touch through a group chat.
But that said, James admitted to Page Six, “I’m that person that automatically mutes any chat I’m added to. Tom Felton had a go at me a couple of months ago, actually, about that. Like, ‘You never reply!’”
Oliver described the cast relationship as similar to “friends from high school or college. You may not speak to those people for a while or see each other – but then as soon as you do catch up, it’s like no time has passed.”
The Phelps twins said they weren’t in Manhattan when Felton was in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway, “but we do keep up with what people are doing,” said Oliver.
“You’ll send them a message saying, ‘Best of luck with it!’ We’ve had quite a few messages [from Potter alums] saying, ‘All the best for the new season!’”
The Potter world is expansive, with a theme park, tie-in video games, and endless merch. Oliver confessed, “The only thing I’ve got Harry Potter in my house is my Lego character. That’s the only thing on display…that was pretty awesome to have that.”
“Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” returns November 4 on Food Network at 8 p.m. and streams on HBO Max.