Rupert Grint Speaks on Life After “Potter” and “The ABC Murders”

Last night, the second episode of Rupert Grint’s new series, The ABC Murders, premiered on the BBC. During a recent interview with Radio Times, Grint spoke out not only on his new show but also on his life playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.

Grint spoke about the first time he was chased by Harry Potter fans on the streets in Tokyo with fellow stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

It was terrifying, absolutely mad. I’d never seen anything like it.

We were at a market. And we timed it very badly; school had just finished and there was literally a stampede toward us. It was the first time I’ve ever run away.

Spending ten years immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter definitely took its toll on Grint. He spoke out on how this is still affecting his life eight years after the final film was released.

I struggle to remember life before it. I think I lost myself a bit along the way. With the fame, you’re almost being the character even when you’re not in character.

From the moment I got the part, my life completely changed. It was a weird time and it has taken me a long while to process. Just being invisible can be difficult. Sometimes you just want to go to B&Q.

 

“The ABC Murders”, starring Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome, premiered on the BBC on December 26.

He spoke about his darker choices in both his clothing and the script for The ABC Murders.

I like the dark side. I’ve always been into crimes and murderers. That side of humanity has always interested me.

He also mentioned his role as Inspector Crome, whom he considers “someone with authority.”

I’m used to playing the vulnerable, nerdy sidekick.

Grint has gotten to know an entirely new cast for The ABC Murders. While he acknowledges that being around other actors is a normal occurrence for him, there was something different about being around John Malkovich, who plays the lead in The ABC Murders, Hercule Poirot.

I never feel like I’m the most famous person in the room, but I think I’m quite at ease with other actors – Malkovich was different. I was nervous around him, because I’m a huge fan.

Concerning his overall career, Grint has taken roles in both Sick Note and Snatch, but he wasn’t always sure about what his post-Potter career would be.

After ‘Potter’ I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I had this feeling that I had missed out on normal things. I lost touch with a lot of my friends from school. I wanted to have a bit of a life again, so I took a break.

I’ve never really been super-ambitious. I think there’s always been something in me, particularly when I finished ‘Potter’, that wants to prove myself, but I’m also naturally quite an insecure person anyway.

Grint also mentioned that he still chats with fellow Harry Potter stars from time to time about their very different lives.

We have those chats. Definitely. Because we’re all carving out very different journeys. And we have this shared experience that connects us all. They are the only people [who] really understand. I think David Yates once said we’re all like astronauts. Only astronauts really know what it’s like to go to space.

During the final portion of the interview, Grint answered a question that all of us have wondered from time to time – what would his life have looked like if he hadn’t played the red-haired, hand-me-down-robed Weasley?

That’s always been in the back of my mind. What would have happened if I hadn’t got that part? I was always into art, I guess I would have gone to university… I’m not sure, but I do think about that a lot.

Have you watched The ABC Murders or do you plan to? Can you imagine Harry Potter without Rupert Grint? Let us know all of your thoughts on this interview in the comments!