A decade post-Potter, the actor has found his groove playing damaged guys in prestige, supernatural horror.
Two young autograph-seekers wait outside a chic Manhattan hotel, but theyre not here for Rupert Grint.
Surely that comes with some earned privacy.
In a phrase: death is everywhere in his work.
So is it on his mind?
And this has made me face it a bit.
A bit broken, damaged people.
At the moment, it seems to be what Im doing.
I was feeling the difficulty of being seen, being overshadowed, he says.
That connection also made untangling himself from the character even harder.
In the movies, we merged into one.
By the end of it, I was playing myself.
The lines were blurred, he says.
But dont mistake it for ingratitude.
Even now, I answer to it, if someone calls me Ron.
He lets out a small laugh.
Its my second name.
Finding his footing post-Potterwas tricky, if only because he wasnt sure he wanted to keep acting.
Potterwas so full on [filming] all year, then wed promote the rest of the time.
It was quite suffocating, he says, uncrossing his legs.
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 couldve gone downhill.
In the years betweenHarry Potterand Grints current supernatural horror streak, Grint experimented.
He did theater and indie films.
He faked cancer on the short-lived British black comedySick Note, where Lindsay Lohan was one of his co-stars.
Thats always been something to fight against.
He also sensed a competitive element to the way the media wrote about him and hisPotterco-stars.Whos doing what?
; people contrasting our careers.
Were all completely different and going along different paths.
(He finds it awkward to watch himself on screen.)
It was happening, I didnt really have a say, he shrugs.
It was a good opportunity to reflect on everything and just say how crazy it was.
Its always nice to look back.
Ive said this to him: he shouldnt exist, he laughs.
A child actor part of an almost religious IP.
He has a connection to his emotions in a way thats just pure.
Hes kind to everybody, Shyamalan continues.
Hes always on time.
It comes effortlessly to him.
Hes just an unusual human being in every way.
Hes truly become a wonderful actor.
I defy you to find somebody that doesnt have something good to say about him.
Im quite dark, Grint says of his interest in the material.
Its definitely part of my personality, especially in humor.
Its a very strange object, he says.
When you hold it, you want to support the head.
Grint considers this chapter of his life and career as formative as any other.
Ive never been a part of a show this long, really, apart fromPotter, he says ofServant.
Shes obsessed with the moon.
I like the moon, but Ive never really paid it much attention.
Its an amazing thing.
Shes taught me to appreciate everything again.
He is crafty like that.
Im always going through phases, obsessions.
[Miniature] pottery was a lockdown hobby.
That really saved me, he says.
Hes also an amateur urban beekeeper.
Theyre fascinating animals, but Ive developed a fear of bees because theyre quite aggressive.
I havent been stung, but the idea is terrifying.
Becoming a parent, Grint says, means recognizing that dangers can lurk everywhere.
But for the most part, being a dad has chilled him out.
Shes relaxed me, he says.
I used to be a real insomniac.
Hes not sure what comes afterServantandCabin.
Im enjoying being a dad, doing dad things, he says, smiling with all his teeth.
He might even plot twist take a break from those broken, damaged characters.
I like the idea of doing something light next like a Christmas movie.
He laughs: Im happy with where Ive ended up.
