Oliver Phelps (actor)

Last updated

Oliver Phelps
Oliver Phelps 2013.jpg
Oliver Phelps at Man of Steel red carpet movie premiere, Sydney, 2013
Born
Oliver Martyn John Phelps

(1986-02-25) 25 February 1986 (age 38)
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • podcaster
Years active2000–present
Spouse
Katy Humpage
(m. 2015)
Children2
Relatives James Phelps (brother)

Oliver Martyn John Phelps (born 25 February 1986) is an English actor and podcaster. He is known for playing George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011, alongside his twin brother, James Phelps. The twins have continued to work together as a duo on other projects.

Contents

Early life

Oliver Phelps was born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham, [1] England on 25 February 1986, 13 minutes before his brother James. They are the only children of Susan (née Spare) and Martyn Phelps. Growing up, Oliver and his brother attended Little Sutton Primary School and the Arthur Terry Secondary School. During the filming of the Harry Potter series, the twins were tutored on set. [2]

Career

In 2000, despite having no previous acting experience, the twins skipped school to attend an open audition in Leeds. After about six auditions, the twins were cast as Fred and George Weasley in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone . [2] At the first table reading after being cast, Oliver was given the role of George and James was given the role of Fred.

In 2009, the twins appeared as brothers in the fifth episode of the third season of the TV series Kingdom . [3] In 2012, they starred in A Mind's Eye, a short documentary film based on the philosophical ideas of Plato. [4] [5]

The twins have also been involved in the Harry Potter Exhibition. They were present during its 2009 opening in Chicago and later toured various cities and countries to promote it. [2]

In January 2014, the twins attended the Harry Potter Celebration in Orlando, Florida along with Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis, and Devon Murray. They also made a LiveCast where they answered fans' questions and talked about the expansion at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. [6]

Oliver Phelps made his stage debut in 2018, in a production of The Case of the Frightened Lady (based on a novel of the same name by Edgar Wallace) at the Grand Opera House, York. He shared the stage with fellow actor Deborah Grant. [7] [8]

Podcast

Phelps at the 2023 Phoenix Fan Fusion. Oliver Phelps by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Phelps at the 2023 Phoenix Fan Fusion.

Phelps has also collaborated with his brother on a podcast, which was launched on YouTube [9] and various streaming services, including Spotify [10] and iTunes. [11]

The first season, which premiered in 2017, featured James and Oliver discussing their previous travels.

The second season of the podcast was released in 2020 during quarantine, and the twins interviewed guests and spoke about their personal lives.

In 2021, they released a third season, titled "Normal Not Normal”, on which they collaborated with Stabl production; this season is more structured and professionally edited compared to the previous season. In this season they discuss what normal really is and if it even exists. They have interviewed celebrities including Sasha Banks, Tom Hopper, Mara Wilson, as well as their former co-stars, such as Katie Leung, Evanna Lynch, and Alfie Enoch.

Personal life and philanthropy

Phelps married Katy Humpage in 2015. They have two daughters named Autumn and Emilia. [12]

In January 2003, Oliver and his brother planted trees at the National Forest, in Leicestershire. The trees were birch and ash--the same types of wood that helped make the broomsticks used in the Harry Potter films. [13]

The twins are supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust, [14] the "Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six", [15] the Virgin Money Giving drive, [16] and Cancer Research UK in Australia. [17]

Filmography

Film and television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone George Weasley
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2009 Kingdom Finlay AndersonEpisode #3.5
A Mind's Eye StanleyShort Film
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince George Weasley
2010 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Short film
Robocoaster at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2013 EarsMr EarsShort Film
2014Own Worst EnemyConstable Stroyde
Hogwarts Express George WeasleyShort film
Shuttle service between destinations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley
2015 King of the Nerds HimselfGuest Appearance(s) episode 7
Danny and the Human Zoo Mr. Barry CarterTV film
20197 days The Story of "Blind Dave" HeeleyDr. MathewsShort Film
2021 Last Night in Soho Ben
2022 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Himself HBO Max Special
Fantastic FriendsTravel Show
2024Harry Potter: Wizards of BakingWarner Bros Reality show

Video games

YearTitleRoleNote
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix George Weasley (voice)Video game
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Stage

YearTitleRoleNote
2018The Case of the Frightened Lady Detective Sergeant TottiPlay based on a book by Edgar Wallace.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rupert Grint</span> English actor (born 1988)

Rupert Alexander Lloyd Grint is an English actor. He rose to fame for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, for which he was cast at age eleven, having previously acted only in school plays and his local theatre group. Grint portrayed Weasley in all eight films in the series, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). Since then, he has continued to work in film, television, and theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Wright</span> English actress and filmmaker (born 1991)

Bonnie Francesca Wright is an English actress, filmmaker, and environmental activist. She is best known for her role as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.

Chris Rankin is a New Zealand-born British actor, director, and producer who is best known for playing Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise.

<i>Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</i> (film) 2002 film by Chris Columbus

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Steve Kloves. It is based on the 1998 novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling. Produced by David Heyman, it is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and the second instalment in the Harry Potter film series. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively. The story follows Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where the Heir of Salazar Slytherin opens the Chamber of Secrets, unleashing a monster that petrifies the school's students.

<i>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</i> (film) 2005 film by Mike Newell

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 2005 fantasy film directed by Mike Newell from a screenplay by Steve Kloves. It is based on the 2000 novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling. It is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and the fourth instalment in the Harry Potter film series. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry's best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively. The story follows Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts as he is chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the Triwizard Tournament.

The Harry Potter fandom is the community of fans of the Harry Potter books and films who participate in entertainment activities that revolve around the series, such as reading and writing fan fiction, creating and soliciting fan art, engaging in role-playing games, socialising on Harry Potter-based forums, and more. The fandom interacts online as well as offline through activities such as fan conventions, participating in cosplay, tours of iconic landmarks relevant to the books and production of the films, and parties held for the midnight release of each book and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James and Oliver Phelps</span> British actors and identical twin brothers

James Andrew Eric Phelps and Oliver Martyn John Phelps are English actors, podcasters and identical twin brothers. They are known for playing Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011 and have continued to work together as a duo on other projects.

MuggleCast is a Harry Potter podcast that is hosted by Eric Scull, Andrew Sims, Micah Tannenbaum, and Laura Thompson. Sims came up with the idea for the podcast and pitched it to the founder of MuggleNet, Emerson Spartz, who originally thought it was a bad idea. It was the first MuggleNet podcast and was released on August 7, 2005, and was hosted by Ben Schoen, Sims, and Kevin Steck.

<i>PotterCast</i> American podcast about Harry Potter

PotterCast is the official podcast of the Harry Potter fansite The Leaky Cauldron. Its episodes are posted once per month and are typically about an hour long. In every episode, the hosts discuss particular passages, themes, and questions from the Harry Potter books and films, and they go over the Potter-related news stories reported during the previous week by The Leaky Cauldron. The podcast often includes input from everyday Potter fans, but it has also featured numerous interviews with professionals involved in making the Potter books, films, and video games. PotterCast frequently hosts contests, and it has presented a variety of themed shows, including a special wizard rock video edition and an episode for Banned Books Week 2005, in which staff interviewed representatives from the American Library Association. It also covers breaking news, such as the press conference hosted by Warner Brothers before the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evanna Lynch</span> Irish actress and activist (born 1991)

Evanna Patricia Lynch is an Irish actress and activist. She is best known for portraying Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series.

<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1</i> 2010 film by David Yates

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 is a 2010 fantasy film directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Steve Kloves. The film is the first of two cinematic parts based on the 2007 novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. It is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) and the seventh instalment in the Harry Potter film series. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, respectively, reprising roles as Harry's best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The story follows Harry Potter, who has been asked by Dumbledore to find and destroy Lord Voldemort's secret to immortality – the Horcruxes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Hollywood)</span> Area at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles. The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J.K. Rowling. The attraction—the second Harry Potter-themed area to exist at a Universal resort—was designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlett Byrne</span> English actress (born 1990)

Scarlett Hannah Hefner is an English actress. She is best known for her roles as Slytherin student Pansy Parkinson in the Harry Potter series, and as Nora Hildegard in The Vampire Diaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Phelps (actor)</span> British actor

James Andrew Eric Phelps is an English actor and podcaster. He is known for playing Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011, alongside his twin brother, Oliver Phelps. The twins have continued to work together as a duo on other projects.

<i>Harry Potter and the Cursed Child</i> 2016 play by Jack Thorne

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play written by Jack Thorne from an original story by Thorne, J. K. Rowling, and John Tiffany. The plot occurs nineteen years after the events of Rowling's novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It follows Albus Severus Potter, the son of Harry Potter, who is now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic. When Albus arrives at Hogwarts, he gets sorted into Slytherin, and fails to live up to his father's legacy, making him resentful of his father. Rowling has referred to the play as "the eighth Harry Potter story".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred and George Weasley</span> Fictional characters from Harry Potter

Fred and George Weasley are fictional characters in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. They are identical twin brothers of the Weasley family, which also includes Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley. Fred and George are friends of Harry Potter, members of the Order of the Phoenix, and founders of the joke shop Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. They are portrayed by the identical twins James and Oliver Phelps in the Harry Potter films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luna Lovegood</span> Fictional character from Harry Potter

Luna Lovegood is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. She first appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003). She is portrayed by Evanna Lynch in the Harry Potter films.

<i>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts</i> 2022 television special

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is a television special released on 1 January 2022 on HBO Max. It is a reunion special for the cast and crew of the Harry Potter film series, marking the twentieth anniversary of the series' first instalment, The Philosopher's Stone. It was produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon and executive produced by Casey Patterson.

References

  1. "INTERVIEW OLIVER PHELPS - The Case of the Frightened Lady". www.southendtheatrescene.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Oliver and James Phelps Full Q&A Oxford Union". YouTube . 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  3. ""Kingdom" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2009) - IMDb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. "MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] - YouTube". www.youtube.com. February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  5. "A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  6. Niles, Robert. "Universal Orlando reveals details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley". www.themeparkinsider.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. "Theatre: Oliver Phelps, makes his stage debut in The Case Of The Frightened Lady". The Northern Echo. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  8. Hutchinson, Charles (11 July 2018). "Review: The Case Of The Frightened Lady, The Classic Thriller Theatre Company, Grand Opera House, York". www.yorkpress.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  9. "Oliver and James Phelps - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  10. "Normal Not Normal - Podcast on Spotify". www.spotify.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  11. "Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts". podcasts.apple.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  12. "Harry Potter stars' babies: see the cast who now have children of their own". HELLO!. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  13. "Potter twins plant trees". BBC News. 19 January 2003. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  14. "James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit". www.teenagecancertrust.org. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  15. "Stars pitch in for Soccer Six". www.birminghammail.co.uk. 14 May 2006. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  16. "Oliver Phelps' fundraising page". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  17. "Stars turn out for match in aid of Harry Moseley's charity". expressandstar.com. 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.