Domhnall Gleeson – More than just a Weasley

There’s more to Domhnall Gleeson’s acting career than playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films. While fans of the series will instantly recognize the actor with the long ginger locks, they might be surprised to learn about some of his other roles both before and after Potter.

Before accepting the role as the oldest Weasley, he graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology with a degree in media arts, earned a Tony award for his broadway portrayal of Davey in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore in 2006, starred in several television series, and had a role in the Coen brothers remake of True Grit.

In an interview with The Telegraph about his new movie, About Time, Domhnall looks back on past roles and looks forward to new projects. As we reported earlier this month, Domhnall tackles a leading role in a romantic comedy about a young man who discovers that he can travel through time to change his life, including getting himself a girlfriend (played by Rachel McAdams). The film also stars Bill Nighy, whom Potter fans will recognize for his role as Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour.

Of the genre, Domhnall feels that rom-com is not his favorite but recognizes the potential it has for his career and jumped at the chance to work with director Richard Curtis.

“I tried hard to get the part. I really worked at the audition because it was something I hadn’t done before. Though rom-coms aren’t necessarily my cup of tea, I was a huge fan of Notting Hill [written by Curtis]. I laughed a lot and the romance got to me.”

As for his role in the Harry Potter series, he feels that it all came down to his hair.

“I got very lucky with Harry Potter. I got that role because [he giggles] I’m a ginger! Red hair was my only qualification! I was a Weasley waiting for a role.”

Domhnall has more films coming our way as well – in addition to About Time, he has just finished shooting the movie Frank, starring opposite Michael Fassbender, wrapped a small role opposite his father Brendan Gleeson in Calvary, and is currently shooting a thriller called Ex Machina alongside his former Anna Karenina co-star, Alicia Vikander.

To read more of the interview with Domhnall, visit the Telegraph website.

Will you see About Time? What do you think about Domhnall as a leading man? Tell us by commenting below!