James Phelps (actor)
{{Short description|British actor}}
{{For|details about James Phelp's career and activities shared with his brother|James and Oliver Phelps}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = James Phelps
| image = James Phelps by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Phelps in 2023
| birth_name = James Andrew Eric Phelps
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|2|25|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|podcaster}}
| yearsactive = 2000–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Annika Ostle|2016}}
| relatives = Oliver Phelps (brother)
}}
James Andrew Eric Phelps (born 25 February 1986) is an English actor and podcaster. 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
James Phelps was born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham,{{cite web |title=INTERVIEW OLIVER PHELPS – The Case of the Frightened Lady |url=http://www.southendtheatrescene.com/oliverphelpsinterview.html |website=southendtheatrescene.com |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510182653/http://www.southendtheatrescene.com/oliverphelpsinterview.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0o69yYSFs |title=Oliver and James Phelps Full Q&A Oxford Union |via=YouTube |date=25 October 2016 |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514152947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0o69yYSFs |url-status=live }}
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, 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/lifestyle-news/tm_headline=harry-potter-and-the-magical-midlanders&method=full&objectid=19463171&siteid=50002-name_page.html |title=Harry Potter and the magical Midlanders, icBirmingham |publisher=Icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk |date=15 July 2007 |access-date=29 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722051754/http://www.sundaymercury.net/lifestyle-news/tm_headline=harry-potter-and-the-magical-midlanders&method=full&objectid=19463171&siteid=50002-name_page.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 }}
In 2009, the twins appeared as brothers in the fifth episode of the third season of the TV series Kingdom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1434776/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_i94|title="Kingdom" Episode #3.5 (TV Episode 2009) - IMDb|publisher=IMDb|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102170924/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1434776/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_i94|url-status=live}} In 2012, they starred in A Mind's Eye, a short documentary film based on the philosophical ideas of Plato.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMZL_CH8jWI|title=MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] – YouTube|via=YouTube|date=February 2012 |access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510234834/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMZL_CH8jWI|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2859884/ |publisher=IMDb |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726214331/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2859884/ |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite web |last1=Niles |first1=Robert |title=Universal Orlando reveals details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201401/3858/ |website=themeparkinsider.com |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510232306/https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201401/3858/ |url-status=live }}
Phelps guest-starred in one episode of British television drama Silent Witness, which aired on 6 January 2015.{{cite web|title=Sniper's Nest: Part 1 (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3653594/fullcredits?ref_=ttfc_ql_1|publisher=IMDb|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425052247/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3653594/fullcredits?ref_=ttfc_ql_1|url-status=live}}
In 2019, he starred in fantasy movie Cadia: The World Within, and was also credited as associate producer on the project.{{cite web |title=Cadia: The World Within (2019) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7711350/fullcredits |publisher=IMDb |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425052231/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7711350/fullcredits |url-status=live }}
= Podcast =
Phelps has collaborated with his brother on a podcast, which was launched on YouTube{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRLDuaN8O4q6JX-qx_UKZQ|title=Oliver and James Phelps – YouTube|via=YouTube|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711011620/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRLDuaN8O4q6JX-qx_UKZQ|url-status=live}} and various streaming services, including Spotify{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/show/7l15XRFcot4JcNvaKAH6Vh|title=Normal Not Normal – Podcast on Spotify|website=spotify.com|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418063044/https://open.spotify.com/show/7l15XRFcot4JcNvaKAH6Vh|url-status=live}} and iTunes.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/normal-not-normal/id1509649093?uo=4|title=Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts|website=podcasts.apple.com|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613141104/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/normal-not-normal/id1509649093?uo=4|url-status=live}}
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
Phelps married Annika Ostle in 2016.{{cite web |last1=Pevens |first1=Lane |title=What Happened To Oliver And James Phelps After 'Harry Potter'? |url=https://www.thethings.com/harry-potter-where-are-oliver-james-phelps-now/ |website=thethings.com |date=16 February 2021 |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519215453/https://www.thethings.com/harry-potter-where-are-oliver-james-phelps-now/ |url-status=live }} They have two dogs named Tonto and Jason.{{Cite web |last=Wickes |first=Hanna |date=2024-02-26 |title='Harry Potter' Weasley Twins: Oliver, James Phelps Now |url=https://www.j-14.com/posts/harry-potter-weasley-twins-oliver-james-phelps-now/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=J-14 |language=en-US}} In 2023, Phelps ran the London Marathon to raise awareness for endometriosis, in support of Ostle, who suffers from the disease.{{cite web |title=Harry Potter Actor, James Phelps, to run London Marathon 2023 in support of charity Endometriosis UK | Endometriosis UK |url=https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/harry-potter-actor-james-phelps-run-london-marathon-2023-support-charity-endometriosis-uk}} He finished with a time of 4:46:24.{{cite web |title=TCS London Marathon 2023: James Phelps | Result |url=https://results.tcslondonmarathon.com/2023/?content=detail&fpid=search&pid=search&idp=T8C2O3HQ3FEAD2&lang=EN_CAP&event=MAS&search%5Bname%5D=Phelps&search_event=MAS}}
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.{{cite news|date=19 January 2003|title=Potter twins plant trees|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2674379.stm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203111827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2674379.stm|archive-date=3 December 2013}}
The twins are supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust,{{cite web|title=James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit|url=https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/our-story/people/celebrity-news/james-and-oliver-phelps-visit-birmingham-unit|access-date=10 May 2021|website=teenagecancertrust.org|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180153/https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/our-story/people/celebrity-news/james-and-oliver-phelps-visit-birmingham-unit|url-status=live}} the "Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six",{{cite web|title=Stars pitch in for Soccer Six|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/stars-pitch-in-for-soccer-six-22545|access-date=10 May 2021|website=birminghammail.co.uk|date=14 May 2006 |archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510232545/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/stars-pitch-in-for-soccer-six-22545|url-status=live}} the Virgin Money Giving drive,{{cite web|title=James Phelps' fundraising page|url=http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=jamesphelps3peaks|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722021945/http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=jamesphelps3peaks|archive-date=22 July 2011}} and Cancer Research UK in Australia.{{cite web|title=Stars turn out for match in aid of Harry Moseley's charity|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/editors-picks/2014/05/19/stars-turn-out-for-match-in-aid-of-harry-moseleys-charity/|access-date=10 May 2021|website=expressandstar.com|date=19 May 2014 |archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}
Filmography
=Film and television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001
|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone |rowspan=5|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 | |
| rowspan=3|2009
|Callum Anderson |Episode #3.5 |
| A Mind's Eye
|Stanley too |Short Film |
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
|rowspan=4|Fred Weasley |also Assistant Director |
| 2010
|Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey |Short film |
| 2010
|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 | |
| 2011
|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 | |
| rowspan=2|2012
|Ward 3 |Jimmy | |
| The Turn
|Morris Talliver |Short film |
| rowspan=2|2014
|Own Worst Enemy |Constable Berrow | |
| Hogwarts Express
|Fred Weasley |Short film |
| rowspan=4|2015
|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 |
| rowspan=2|2019
|7 days The Story of "Blind Dave" Heeley |Captain Williams |Short Film |
| Cadia: The World Within
|Tanion |Associate producer credit |
| 2021
|Charles | |
| Rowspan=3|2022
|Brigantia |Koün the fisherman |Pre-production |
| Fantastic Friends
|Rowspan=2|Himself |Travel show |
| Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
|HBO Max Special |
| 2023
|Bloody Fury |Duke |Short Film |
| 2024
|Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking |Himself |Warner Bros Reality show |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Note |
|---|
| 2007
|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix |rowspan=2|Fred Weasley (voice) |rowspan=2|Video game |
| 2010 |
References
{{Reflist |25em
| refs =
}}
External links
{{Commons category|James Phelps}}
- {{IMDb name|962359|James Phelps}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phelps, Oliver}}
Category:English male film actors
Category:Identical twin male actors
Category:Male actors from Sutton Coldfield
Category:English expatriate male actors in the United States
Category:English identical twins
Category:English male child actors