Why Rupert Grint’s Broadway Return as Ron Weasley Matters
In late August 2026, the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child confirmed that Rupert Grint will reprise his role as Ron Weasley, beginning performances on February 2, 2027. The announcement follows Tom Felton’s ongoing run as Draco Malfoy, which continues through January 3, 2027, at the Lyric Theatre in New York City. For the first time in the play’s history, two of the original film actors will have returned to their iconic roles on stage.
A Milestone for the Play
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a stage play by Jack Thorne, based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Thorne, and John Tiffany. It continues the story of the wizarding world 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, following Harry’s younger son Albus as he struggles under the weight of his family legacy. Originally presented in two parts, the production was condensed into a single-evening performance at the Lyric Theatre in 2021, with further revisions rolled out in November 2024.
The play has been a box-office phenomenon. Guinness World Records named it the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history, with total sales exceeding $430 million and more than 3.5 million tickets sold, as reported by Playbill.
What Grint Brings to the Role
Rupert Grint originated the role of Ron Weasley in the film series starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and all eight subsequent films. He was 11 when cast and has said in interviews that he auditioned by sending a homemade rap video. After the film series concluded in 2011, he worked across film and television, including roles in Knock at the Cabin and the Apple TV+ series Servant. He also has stage experience: he made his London theatre debut in Mojo (2013) and his Broadway debut in It’s Only a Play (2014).
Returning to Ron Weasley on stage means Grint will perform the character as written in the play — an adult version adjusting to fatherhood and newfound fame. The casting allows audiences to see a familiar face in a new, live context.
The Broader Context
Grint’s arrival follows Felton’s turn as Draco Malfoy, which began in November 2025 and was extended through early January 2027. While Felton’s run ends before Grint begins, the consecutive casting of two original film actors signals a deliberate strategy by producers to leverage nostalgia for the franchise’s live audience. Presales for the new cast, including Grint, opened on September 1, 2026.
The casting also underscores the play’s long-running appeal. The current company includes John Skelley as Harry Potter, Daniel Fredrick as Ron Weasley, and Sarah Killough as Ginny Potter, among others. Grint’s tenure as Ron will likely be time-limited, which adds urgency for fans who wish to see him in the role.
Why This Matters
For theatergoers, seeing an actor who defined a beloved character return to that role in a live production is rare. The Harry Potter universe has expanded through theme parks, video games, and the Fantastic Beasts films, but the stage play remains the only canon continuation of the original story. Grint’s involvement collapses the distance between the screen versions and the stage narrative, offering a direct link to the film series.
The producers at the Lyric Theatre have not announced whether other original film cast members will join. Grint and Felton have opened a door that could attract further audience interest, extending the show’s cultural and commercial momentum deep into 2027.