Oliver Phelps (actor) explained

Oliver Phelps
Birth Name:Oliver Martyn John Phelps
Birth Date:25 February 1986
Birth Place:Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
Occupation:Actor
Yearsactive:2001–present
Children:2
Relatives:James Phelps (brother)

Oliver Martyn John Phelps (born 25 February 1986) is an English actor. 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.

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 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
2001Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneGeorge Weasley
2002Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2004Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2005Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2007Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2009KingdomFinlay AndersonEpisode #3.5
A Mind's EyeStanleyShort Film
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceGeorge Weasley
2010Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyShort film
Robocoaster at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
2010Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
2011Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2013 EarsMr EarsShort Film
2014Own Worst EnemyConstable Stroyde
Hogwarts ExpressGeorge WeasleyShort film
Shuttle service between destinations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley
2015King of the NerdsHimselfGuest Appearance(s) episode 7
Danny and the Human ZooMr. Barry CarterTV film
20197 days The Story of "Blind Dave" HeeleyDr. MathewsShort Film
2021Last Night in SohoBen
2022Himself HBO Max Special
2022Fantastic FriendsHimself Travel Show

Video games

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

Stage

Notes and References

  1. Web site: INTERVIEW OLIVER PHELPS - The Case of the Frightened Lady . www.southendtheatrescene.com . 10 May 2021 . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510182653/http://www.southendtheatrescene.com/oliverphelpsinterview.html . live .
  2. Web site: Oliver and James Phelps Full Q&A Oxford Union . . 25 October 2016 . 19 May 2021 . 14 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514152947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0o69yYSFs . live .
  3. Web site: "Kingdom" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2009) - IMDb. www.imdb.com. 19 May 2021. 2 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220102170924/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1434776/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_i94. live.
  4. Web site: MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] - YouTube]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/aMZL_CH8jWI . 2021-12-21 . live. www.youtube.com. February 2012 .
  5. Web site: A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb . www.imdb.com . 10 May 2021 . 26 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726214331/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2859884/ . live .
  6. Web site: Niles . Robert . Universal Orlando reveals details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley . www.themeparkinsider.com . 10 May 2021 . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510232306/https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201401/3858/ . live .
  7. News: Theatre: Oliver Phelps, makes his stage debut in The Case Of The Frightened Lady . 10 May 2021 . The Northern Echo . 28 June 2018 . 11 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210511134003/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/culture/16320238.theatre-oliver-phelps-makes-stage-debut-case-frightened-lady/ . live .
  8. Web site: Hutchinson . Charles . Review: The Case Of The Frightened Lady, The Classic Thriller Theatre Company, Grand Opera House, York . www.yorkpress.co.uk . 11 July 2018 . 10 May 2021 . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510182658/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/16348154.review-case-frightened-lady-classic-thriller-theatre-company-grand-opera-house-york/ . live .
  9. Web site: Oliver and James Phelps - YouTube. www.youtube.com. 19 May 2021. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711011620/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRLDuaN8O4q6JX-qx_UKZQ. live.
  10. Web site: Normal Not Normal - Podcast on Spotify. www.spotify.com. 19 May 2021. 18 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418063044/https://open.spotify.com/show/7l15XRFcot4JcNvaKAH6Vh. live.
  11. Web site: Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts. podcasts.apple.com. 19 May 2021. 13 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613141104/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/normal-not-normal/id1509649093?uo=4. live.
  12. Web site: 2023-06-14 . Harry Potter stars' babies: see the cast who now have children of their own . 2024-03-20 . HELLO! . en.
  13. News: 19 January 2003. Potter twins plant trees. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203111827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2674379.stm. 3 December 2013. dmy-all.
  14. Web site: James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit. 10 May 2021. www.teenagecancertrust.org. 10 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180153/https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/our-story/people/celebrity-news/james-and-oliver-phelps-visit-birmingham-unit. live.
  15. Web site: Stars pitch in for Soccer Six. 10 May 2021. www.birminghammail.co.uk. 14 May 2006 . 10 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210510232545/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/stars-pitch-in-for-soccer-six-22545. live.
  16. Web site: Oliver Phelps' fundraising page. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721223202/http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=oliverphelps. 21 July 2011.
  17. Web site: Stars turn out for match in aid of Harry Moseley's charity. 10 May 2021. expressandstar.com. 19 May 2014 . 19 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519215453/https://www.expressandstar.com/editors-picks/2014/05/19/stars-turn-out-for-match-in-aid-of-harry-moseleys-charity/. live.