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James Phelps (actor)

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For details about James Phelp's career and activities shared with his brother, see James and Oliver Phelps.

James Phelps
Phelps in 2023
Born
James Andrew Eric Phelps

(1986-02-25) 25 February 1986 (age 38)
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
OccupationActor
Years active2001–present
Spouse
Annika Ostle
​
(m. 2016)​
RelativesOliver Phelps (brother)

James Andrew Eric Phelps (born 25 February 1986) is an English actor. 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.

Early life

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James Phelps was born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham,[1] England on 25 February 1986, 13 minutes after his brother, Oliver Phelps. They are the only children of Susan (née Spare) and Martyn Phelps. Growing up, James 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

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Phelps in 2011.

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, James was given the role of Fred and Oliver was given the role of George.

Outside of acting, James Phelps worked as a runner on the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and on The Da Vinci Code.[3]

In 2009, the twins appeared as brothers in the fifth episode of the third season of the TV series Kingdom.[4] In 2012, they starred in A Mind's Eye, a short documentary film based on the philosophical ideas of Plato.[5][6]

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.[7]

Phelps guest-starred in one episode of British television drama Silent Witness, which aired on 6 January 2015.[8]

In 2019, he starred in fantasy movie Cadia: The World Within, and was also credited as associate producer on the project.[9]

Podcast

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Phelps has collaborated with his brother on a podcast, which was launched on YouTube[10] and various streaming services, including Spotify[11] and iTunes.[12]

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, and Mara Wilson, as well as their former costars, such as Katie Leung, Evanna Lynch, and Alfred Enoch.

Personal life and philanthropy

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Phelps married Annika Ostle in 2016.[13] They have two dogs named Tonto and Jason.[14]

In January 2003, Phelps 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.[15]

The twins are supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust,[16] the "Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six",[17] the Virgin Money Giving drive,[18] and Cancer Research UK in Australia.[19]

In 2023, Phelps ran the London Marathon to raise awareness for Endometriosis, in support of his wife, Annika, who suffers from the disease. [20] He finished with a time of 4:46:24. [21]

Filmography

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Film and television

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Fred 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 Callum Anderson Episode #3.5
A Mind's Eye Stanley too Short Film
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Fred Weasley also Assistant Director
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
2012 Ward 3 Jimmy
The Turn Morris Talliver Short film
2014 Own Worst Enemy Constable Berrow
Hogwarts Express Fred Weasley Short film
Shuttle service between destinations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley
2015 King of the Nerds Himself Guest Appearance(s) episode 7
Silent Witness Chris Season 18, Episode 1 - Sniper's Nest: Part 1
Danny and the Human Zoo Mr Brian Carter TV film
Patchwork Garret Film
2019 7 days The Story of "Blind Dave" Heeley Captain Williams Short Film
Cadia: The World Within Tanion Associate producer credit
2021 Last Night in Soho Charles
2022 Brigantia Koün the fisherman Pre-production
2022 Fantastic Friends Himself Travel show
2022 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Himself HBO Max Special
2023 Bloody Fury Duke Short Film
2024 Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Himself Warner Bros Reality show

Video games

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Year Title Role Note
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Fred Weasley (voice) Video game
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

References

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  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ "Harry Potter and the magical Midlanders, icBirmingham". Icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk. 15 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  4. ^ ""Kingdom" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2009) - IMDb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. ^ "MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] - YouTube". www.youtube.com. February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  6. ^ "A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Sniper's Nest: Part 1 (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Cadia: The World Within (2019) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". www.imdb.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Oliver and James Phelps - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Normal Not Normal - Podcast on Spotify". www.spotify.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts". podcasts.apple.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  13. ^ Pevens, Lane (16 February 2021). "What Happened To Oliver And James Phelps After 'Harry Potter'?". www.thethings.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  14. ^ Wickes, Hanna (26 February 2024). "'Harry Potter' Weasley Twins: Oliver, James Phelps Now". J-14. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Potter twins plant trees". BBC News. 19 January 2003. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  16. ^ "James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit". www.teenagecancertrust.org. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "James Phelps' fundraising page". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Harry Potter Actor, James Phelps, to run London Marathon 2023 in support of charity Endometriosis UK | Endometriosis UK".
  21. ^ "TCS London Marathon 2023: James Phelps | Result".
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