Rupert Grint confesses playing Ron Weasley year after year was ‘quite suffocating’

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is currently promoting his upcoming film, Knock at the Cabin, a thriller by M Night Shyamalan. The British actor recently sat down for an interview with Bustle to talk about the project, and also reflect on his career-defining role as Ron Weasley.

Grint opened up about navigating the acting world after starring in one of the most successful film franchises in history. In the process, he admitted how “suffocating” the experience of shooting the eight-film saga, back-to-back and then promoting it year after year was for him.

On Monday, the British star told the outlet, “I was feeling the difficulty of being seen, being overshadowed. In the movies, we merged into one. By the end of it, I was playing myself. The lines were blurred.” Grint, who played Ron from age 11 to 22, said, “Potter was so full on — [filming] all year, then we’d promote the rest of the time. It was quite suffocating.”

Because of the pressure, Grint even contemplated taking a break from acting after the saga wrapped up in 2011. “I wanted a break, to reflect on everything… It was an out-of-body experience for a while, but I think we finished at the right time. If we continued, it could’ve gone downhill,” he added.

“I answer to it, if someone calls me Ron. It’s my second name,” he joked to Bustle. Speaking to British GQ, Grint illustrated just how much his life revolved around Harry Potter. “While the franchise was filming. While shooting the saga's fourth film, The Goblet of Fire, which premiered in 2005, the actor started suffering from intense tonsillitis, but he couldn't seek treatment due to his busy schedule.

"While I was filming, there was never any time to get them out. From Goblet to the end of the franchise, I was just ill. My tonsils were absolutely massive," Rupert told GQ, adding that they became a "metaphor" for his work-life balance. "As soon as I finished my work, I got them removed. It was one of the best decisions I ever made."

Despite the ups and downs, Rupert still looks back on his time as Ron Weasley with a smile on his face, and is ultimately grateful for the experience.

Grint’s work choices have turned to dark thrillers, as he is now a part of Servant, a series on Apple TV by M Night Shyamalan. He will also be seen in an apocalyptic psychological horror movie, Knock at the Cabin, soon.

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