Where Are They Now?: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

It’s been 4752 days since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hit the silver screen. In that time, the world found out who Barack Obama was, the iPod/iPhone/iPad all entered existence and Facebook & YouTube were born and subsequently took over the internet. As you come to terms with that terrifying amount of time, let us check up on the progress of all those bright innocent sparks who sprung onto our screens 13 years ago…

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)

Courtesy of: The Guardian

Having led the most successful literary-adaptation franchise in cinematic history, it was possible that Radcliffe would succumb to the trappings of in-obscurity, failing to break free from the scar and specs. However, Radcliffe has fought hard to establish himself as a genuine actor, starring in the horror The Woman in Black, biography piece Kill Your Darlings, Broadway smash How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and fantasy flick Horns – he will also star as Igor in an upcoming version of Frankenstein. Refreshingly unashamed of his child-star roots, Radcliffe has earmarked himself as a rising talent with range and ability. Aged 24, Radcliffe is only just beginning his conquest of Hollywood.

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

Courtesy of: A24 Films

From a frizzy-haired know-it-all to a style icon, Emma Watson’s rise to the A-list has been meteoric. Boasting 12.8 million followers on Twitter coupled with her undoubted good looks, Watson has achieved modelling contracts with Lancome and Burberry as well as starring roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Noah. Around the media’s focus upon her figure and private life, it is sometimes forgotten that Watson is actually a talented actress, as can be witnessed with her darkly comedic turn in The Bling Ring. Alongside all this, Watson is set to finally graduate from Brown University in May of this year. Best of all, she’s a certified teacher in yoga and meditation. Watson has begun filming her latest project, Regression, set for release in 2015.

Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)

Courtesy of: Getty Images

Rupert Grint has not seen such a stratospheric rise to the top, with his post-Potter career fluctuating from the average to the abysmal. Luckily the latter was early on his career through the lame 2002 Thunderpants, which one critic described with: “This film should be shown in prisons so that inmates have a good reason to never return.” Ouch. Grint’s career didn’t receive much better treatment through the non-event features of Driving Lessons, Cherrybomb, Wild Target and the critically panned CBGB alongside Potter alumnus Alan Rickman. However, in 2013, Grint bucked this negative trajectory through his stage debut in Jez Butterworth’s black comedy Mojo alongside Ben Whishaw, on the West End. Widely acclaimed by the press, the actor’s next move is to star in a new Macbeth adaptation, Enemy of Man, alongside Charles Dance and Sean Bean.

Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)

Courtesy of: The Independent

The greatest revelation in the finale of the Harry Potter franchise was the transformation of Neville Longbottom (aka Matthew Lewis) from gawping little boy to downright stud. Starring on little-seen but largely praised stage and TV productions, Lewis has quietly established himself as a talented actor in all dramatic mediums. Of all the Potter cohort, Lewis appears the most humble and fun – as seen with his brilliant turn in Radio 1’s innuendo bingo:

Having secured a recurring role in BBC3’s war comedy Bluestone 42 and a lead role in gritty British drama Wasteland, Lewis is definitely one to watch.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)

Courtesy of: ASOS

Following eight solid years of playing the snarky, whimpering Draco Malfoy, Tom Felton has played to his strengths as he tries to establish himself within Hollywood. His biggest role to date was playing the snarky, whimpering Dodge Landon in the terrific Rise of the Planet of the Apes. His role has not delivered the consistency and popularity the actor would hope for but there are plenty of projects in the pipeline. Felton has recently wrapped the World War II film Ghosts of the Pacific and  TV pilot Murder in the First. The actor is currently prepping to shoot the horror film Fangs of War with the acting great Christopher Walken. There is still plenty of bite left in the Slytherin alumnus’ career.

Jamie Waylett (Vincent Crabbe)

Courtesy of: BT.DK

Every actor we’ve mentioned so far has delivered in spades with projects coming out of their ears. However Jamie Waylett’s post-Potter career has highlighted an allegiance of mischief with his literary counterpart, as the actor has struggled with constant legal troubles since 2009. On 7th April 2009, Waylett and a friend were pulled over by police after Waylett took a photograph of the officers’ car as they drove past. The officers then searched their vehicle, finding a knife and eight bags of cannabis. Despite his pleas that it was for personal usage, Waylett was sentenced to 120 hours of community service. This in fact led to his exclusion from the final instalments of the series. However, Waylett’s entanglement with the law grew worse. During the 2011 London Riots, Waylett entered the streets armed with a Molotov cocktail as he looted – of all places – a chemist’s. Following his arrest, further cannabis plants were found in his house and in March 2012, Waylett was jailed for two years.

Alfie Enoch (Dean Thomas)

Courtesy of: Inside Intelligence

Alongside Matthew Lewis’ successful relationship with puberty, Alfie Enoch’s transformation into a handsome adult come the Harry Potter finale brought raised eyebrows of pleasant disbelief among fans. Enoch has never hit the Hollywood heights or received the mass recognition of the press and public like his co-stars but the actor’s CV boasts an impressive wealth of riches. Having featured in the hugely popular TV series Broadchurch and Sherlock, he has walked the boards in Timon of Athens and Antigone. Alongside this, Enoch has returned to the field of education to pursuing a degree in Portuguese and Spanish at the Queen’s College, Oxford.

Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley)

Courtesy of: BBC

The tubby terror of 2001’s original follows the trend of the second tier of child stars as he continues to star in an array of TV and theatre projects. However, the greatest achievement Melling has performed is his dramatic weight loss in between the franchise’s instalments. In preparation for Deathly Hallows: Part One, Melling had lost so much weight since his last appearance in Harry Potter that he was now “unrecognisable”, according to producers. His role as Dudley Dursley was almost recast but Melling reprised the role by wearing a fat suit. He commented positively about the change: “I can now shed the child actor thing, like the fat, and start a new career, because no one sees me as Dudley.”

Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan)

Courtesy of: Gone Fishing Press

The constant comedic Irish presence throughout the franchise has yet to find his feet within the greater acting world. Prior to Philosopher’s Stone, Murray had established himself as an impressive child actor in the likes of Angela’s Ashes and Yesterday’s Children. The actor has recently declared on his Twitter that he has an exciting new role in the works, but no details have yet emerged on IMDb. We, for one, would like to see more of the loveable Irish wizard and here’s to more projects for the actor in the future.

James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley)

Courtesy of: Getty Images

The highly popular Phelps twins haven’t achieved great success (yet) in the cinematic world, as they have followed different paths since Harry Potter’s end. The twins’ greatest passion is in the world of travelling. The Phelps twins travel around the world to tour and attend sports games and events while Oliver maintains his own website called JOP World, to keep fans up-to-date on their latest adventures. That being said, rumours abound that the 27-year-olds will reportedly team up again to play the iconic characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)

Courtesy of: Haute Muse

The youngest of the Weasley clan holds tremendous potential for the future, with the press and public wholly behind the talented actress. Having modelled for the likes of EW, Vanity Fair, The Times, and for London Fashion Week, the actress has appeared in several intriguing independent features such as The Sea and Before I Sleep. Her recent West End stage debut as The Girl in Moment of Truth also received solid praise with one review stating: “she was always one of the series’ strongest and most natural actors”. Her latest, and most likely greatest, triumph to date was in BBC2’s 2014 Great British Sport Relief Bake Off where she was anointed with the title of ‘Star Baker’ thanks to a stunning Tarte Tatin. Based on this alone, Wright’s career is going to rise and rise…