Rupert Grint explains why filming Harry Potter movies was "quite suffocating"

Having spent his childhood filming one of the most popular franchises of all time, it's inevitable that it took over Rupert Grint's life.

Grint, who played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, has now reflected on his time as one of the series' major stars.

And it seems that while he's grateful for the opportunity, the intensity of filming and its consequent fame blurred the lines between Grint's real life and his character.

preview for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (Sky)

Grint pointed out the similarities between Ron's childhood as part of a big family and his own, telling Bustle: “In the movies, we merged into one. By the end of it, I was playing myself. The lines were blurred."

He added: “I answer to it, if someone calls me Ron. It’s my second name.”

Explaining the schedule that he was part of for a decade, the actor said: “Potter was so full on — [filming] all year, then we’d promote the rest of the time.

"It was quite suffocating. I wanted a break, to reflect on everything... It was an out-of-body experience for a while, but I think we finished at the right time. If we continued, it could’ve gone downhill.”

Warner Bros.

Grint appeared in HBO Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts last year, and spoke of the opportunity to reunite with his co-stars.

He explained in the new interview that being in Harry Potter "was a really unique experience only us core group really know, so it’s nice to see them.

"It was a good opportunity to reflect on everything and just say how crazy it was. It’s always nice to look back.”

Focusing on the present and future, however, Grint has managed to throw off his childhood stardom and build a successful career in his own right. His hit Apple TV+ show Servant is just wrapping up, and he's also starred in Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities.