James and Oliver Phelps

James Andrew Eric Phelps and Oliver Martyn John Phelps (born 25 February 1986) are English actors and identical twin brothers. They are known for playing Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series from 2001 to 2011 and have continued to work together as a duo on other projects. The twins also run a podcast together titled Normal Not Normal.

This article is about the shared career and activities of two British actors. For the individuals, see James Phelps (actor) and Oliver Phelps (actor).

James and Oliver Phelps
James (left) and Oliver Phelps at Lucca Comics and Games 2011
Born
James Andrew Eric Phelps
Oliver Martyn John Phelps

(1986-02-25) 25 February 1986
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
OccupationActors
Years active2001–present

Early life

James and Oliver Phelps were born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham,[1] England on 25 February 1986. They are the only children of Susan (née Spare) and Martyn Phelps. Oliver is the older of the two by 13 minutes. Growing up, the twins 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, 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] and they directed Journey along the Thames for the opening ceremony of London 2012.

The twins have 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]

Podcast

The twins collaborated on a podcast available on YouTube[8] and various streaming services, including Spotify[9] and iTunes.[10] 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.

Charity work and personal lives

In January 2003, the twins 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.[11]

The twins are supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust,[12] the "Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six",[13] the Virgin Money Giving drive,[14][15] and Cancer Research UK in Australia.[16]

Oliver married Katy Humpage in 2015. James married Annika Ostle in 2016.[17]

Filmography
This filmography is of the twins as a duo. See James Phelps and Oliver Phelps for other productions in which they have appeared.

Film and television
Year Title James's role Oliver's role Notes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Fred Weasley George 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 Finlay Anderson Episode #3.5
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Fred Weasley George Weasley Assistant Director (James)
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
2014 Own Worst Enemy Constable Berrow Constable Stroyde
Hogwarts Express Fred Weasley George Weasley Short film
Shuttle service between destinations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley
2015 King of the Nerds Himself Himself Guest Appearance(s) episode 7
Danny and the Human Zoo Mr Brian Carter Mr Barry Carter TV film
2019 7 days The Story of "Blind Dave" Heeley Captain Williams Dr. Mathews Short Film
2021 Last Night in Soho Cloakroom attendant Cloakroom attendant
2022– Fantastic Friends Himself Himself Travel series

Video games
Year Title James's role Oliver's role Note
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Fred Weasley (voice) George Weasley (voice) Video game
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

See also

References
  1. "INTERVIEW OLIVER PHELPS - The Case of the Frightened Lady". www.southendtheatrescene.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  2. "Oliver and James Phelps Full Q&A Oxford Union". YouTube.
  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.
  5. "MAKING OF 'A MIND'S EYE' [WEASLEY TWINS CUT] - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  6. "A Mind's Eye (2009) - IMdb". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. Niles, Robert. "Universal Orlando reveals details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley". www.themeparkinsider.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  8. "Oliver and James Phelps - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  9. "Normal Not Normal - Podcast on Spotify". www.spotify.com.
  10. "Normal Not Normal on Apple Podcasts". podcasts.apple.com. 11 April 2023.
  11. "Potter twins plant trees". BBC News. 19 January 2003. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  12. "James and Oliver Phelps visit Birmingham unit". www.teenagecancertrust.org. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  13. "Stars pitch in for Soccer Six". www.birminghammail.co.uk. 14 May 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  14. "Oliver Phelps' fundraising page". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  15. "James Phelps' fundraising page". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  16. "Stars turn out for match in aid of Harry Moseley's charity". expressandstar.com. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  17. Pevens, Lane (16 February 2021). "What Happened To Oliver And James Phelps After 'Harry Potter'?". www.thethings.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
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