Key Moments
Oliver and James Phelps | Full Q&A | Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
The Weasley twins got their Harry Potter roles by chance, not knowing the franchise's future impact, and admit they were more mischievous off-camera than on.
Key Insights
Oliver and James Phelps were 14 and had no prior acting experience when they auditioned for Harry Potter, securing their roles after just six auditions.
The twins were the only set of twins at the audition not wearing matching clothes, a detail that may have helped them stand out.
Filming the 'Goblet of Fire' Yule Ball scene involved three weeks of dance practice, and the on-screen band 'The Weird Sisters' featured Jarvis Cocker and Thom Yorke.
The final day of filming was particularly emotional due to the imminent demolition of the studios and the final checkout from their hotel accommodation.
The timeless nature of the wizarding world, free from modern technology references, contributes to Harry Potter's enduring appeal across generations.
The twins kept a 'Skiving Snackbox' from Fred and George's joke shop and a prosthetic ear used in the final film as memorabilia.
An unlikely start to a magical career
Oliver and James Phelps began their acting journey at the age of 14, with no prior acting experience, when they attended an open audition for the Harry Potter films. Their decision to audition was spurred by the chance to be in a major film and, perhaps more pragmatically, a day off school. The audition process itself was a whirlwind; thousands of hopefuls turned up, and the twins initially stood out by not wearing matching outfits, a detail they'd quickly rectified by buying shirts from a nearby store. A 'sliding doors' moment occurred when they were directed to a specific door, which led them to the head casting director. Despite the immense competition, they secured the roles of Fred and George Weasley after a total of six auditions, a process they describe as 'as easy as that in a nutshell.'
Navigating fame and education on set
The immense success of the Harry Potter franchise was not something the young actors anticipated. While the first three books were out and 'Goblet of Fire' was imminent during their auditions, the global phenomenon it became was beyond their wildest dreams. Filming for the series spanned their formative teenage years, impacting their formal education. The production provided tutors, with a favourable ratio of five students per tutor, allowing them to make the most of their schooling. However, the teachers' task of preparing work in advance could be challenging. A perk was the ability to sometimes do homework in the Great Hall, even sneakily concealing exercise books within script pages, though attempting to do so with a quill proved difficult. The on-set atmosphere was akin to growing up with a large, extended family, maintaining close bonds with many cast and crew members long after filming wrapped.
Mischief managed: Pranks on and off-camera
Fred and George Weasley were known for their elaborate pranks within the Harry Potter universe, and Oliver and James admit they were equally mischievous off-camera. They describe themselves as the 'oldest of the young cast' but likely the most immature. One notable prank involved using the same radio frequency as engineers working on a nearby call center to broadcast false instructions to the crew, effectively sending them home early. Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) was also involved, despite being only 11 at the time. Another ingenious prank involved James calling his twin daily for ten days, claiming filming was cancelled, allowing him to enjoy extra days off in Oxford. He also spent hours with a point-and-shoot camera, flashing it at passing cars at night to make drivers think they had received a speeding ticket, observing that it made people slow down afterwards.
Memorable filming experiences
Among their most cherished filming memories is the Yule Ball scene in 'Goblet of Fire,' shot just before Christmas. The cast had undergone three weeks of professional dance training for the sequence. The scene featured the fictional band 'The Weird Sisters,' whose actual members included Jarvis Cocker and Thom Yorke. The filming culminated in a gig with pyrotechnics, crowd surfing, and mosh pits. Another highlight was filming the scene where Fred and George open their joke shop, 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.' The set was immense, filled with intricate props, and even featured a character walking up a wall. The brothers also recall the emotional weight of the final days of filming, exacerbated by the knowledge that the studios would be demolished immediately after, and the poignant experience of checking out of their hotel for the last time.
The enduring legacy of Harry Potter
The twins believe the longevity and continued success of Harry Potter are due to its timeless nature. The wizarding world is not dated by modern technology, allowing new generations to discover and connect with the stories. They've met fans whose children are now growing up with the series, highlighting its intergenerational appeal. This enduring popularity has allowed them to travel the world, attending events and exhibitions. They also noted that the films maintained an all-British cast, a decision they feel was crucial to preserving the story's authenticity and contributed significantly to its global success.
Reflections on characters and identity
When asked about their own sorting into Hogwarts houses, Oliver found himself in Gryffindor, while James was sorted into Hufflepuff. They acknowledged that the characters of Fred and George have made them more approachable in real life, though they also noted it can sometimes be difficult to be taken entirely seriously due to their iconic roles. While they haven't often switched places on screen, a notable exception was during a large crowd scene in the Great Hall for a rehearsal, primarily to avoid continuity errors that would keep the crew working late. A long-running prank involved Oliver telling a production crew member he had been shot by a farmer with an air gun, a story that persisted for five years before his father's visit revealed the truth.
Advocacy and personal impact
Oliver and James have leveraged their elevated profile for charitable causes, particularly supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust. They recounted their experiences with Make-A-Wish children on set, highlighting how their work profoundly impacted many lives, especially when a child received good news after their visit. These personal interactions often meant more to them than any press or accolades. They also feel fortunate that their involvement in Harry Potter has broadened their understanding of different perspectives and people from diverse backgrounds, enriching their own worldview.
Favorite sets and keepsakes
The Great Hall remains a standout set for the twins due to its grandeur and the memories of playing football, cricket, and even riding Segways within its space during filming. The Ministry of Magic set was also a favorite, praised for its immense scale and oppressive, communist Russia-esque design, despite its brief appearance on screen. For personal keepsakes, Oliver retains a 'Skiving Snackbox' from Fred and George's joke shop, complete with all the props. James kept a prosthetic ear used in the final film, remembering a humorous incident where he and Donal Gleeson, sporting werewolf scars, inadvertently frightened train passengers. He also has a framed joke shop bag from 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.'
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
They auditioned at 14 with no prior acting experience, driven by the chance to be in a major film and a day off school. They were among thousands of kids, but stood out by not wearing matching outfits. After six auditions, they secured the roles.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The director of the first two Harry Potter films, involved in casting discussions.
An actor from the Harry Potter series who played Draco Malfoy.
An actress from the Harry Potter cast who was involved in a prank involving studio radios.
Member of the band Pulp and a participant in the fictional 'Weird Sisters' band in the Harry Potter film.
An actor in the Harry Potter series who played Flitwick and participated in a festive scene with pyro and crowd-surfing.
The lead actor in the Harry Potter series, who reportedly shared cheeky cigarettes with cast members.
Lead singer of Radiohead, who was part of the fictional band 'Weird Sisters' in the Harry Potter film.
The twin characters portrayed by Oliver and James Phelps in the Harry Potter film series, known for their pranks and humor.
An actor from the Harry Potter cast who shared stories of playing practical jokes on set.
A producer of the Harry Potter films, involved in the casting decisions for Fred and George.
The author of the Harry Potter books, who was involved in the film adaptations and provided backstory for characters.
The university where the Q&A session took place.
A fictional band in the Harry Potter universe that performed in the film, composed of members from Pulp and Radiohead.
A charity that brought children with serious illnesses to the Harry Potter set, providing meaningful experiences.
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