Oliver Phelps (actor)

Early life

Oliver Phelps was born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham, 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.

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. 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. In 2012, they starred in A Mind's Eye, a short documentary film based on the philosophical ideas of Plato.

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.

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.

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.

Podcast

Phelps has also collaborated with his brother on a podcast, which was launched on YouTube and various streaming services, including Spotify and iTunes.

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 Humphage in 2015. They have two daughters named Autumn and Emilia.

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.

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

Filmography

Film and television

Video games

Stage

References

References

1. "INTERVIEW OLIVER PHELPS – The Case of the Frightened Lady".
2. (25 October 2016). "Oliver and James Phelps Full Q&A Oxford Union".
3. ""Kingdom" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2009) - IMDb". IMDb.
4. (February 2012). "MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] – YouTube".
5. "A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb". IMDb.
6. "Universal Orlando reveals details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley".
7. (28 June 2018). "Theatre: Oliver Phelps, makes his stage debut in The Case of the Frightened Lady".
8. (11 July 2018). "Review: The Case of the Frightened Lady, The Classic Thriller Theatre Company, Grand Opera House, York".
9. "Oliver and James Phelps – YouTube".
10. "Normal Not Normal – Podcast on Spotify".
11. "Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts".
12. (2023-06-14). "Harry Potter stars' babies: see the cast who now have children of their own".
13. (19 January 2003). "Potter twins plant trees". BBC News.
14. "James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit".
15. (14 May 2006). "Stars pitch in for Soccer Six".
16. "Oliver Phelps' fundraising page".
17. (19 May 2014). "Stars turn out for match in aid of Harry Moseley's charity".