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Love Actually’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster Was Nearly Cast As Ron Weasley – And Our Minds Are Blown

Love Actually’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster Was Nearly Cast As Ron Weasley – And Our Minds Are Blown

Could you imagine a world where Rupert Grint wasn't Ron Weasley?

Naomi Chadderton (FL)

Naomi Chadderton (FL)

Can you imagine Harry Potter without Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley? Us neither. But apparently it came close to happening, as Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster also went for the role.

Yep - Thomas, 30, auditioned for the 2001 film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and has now spoken out about his feelings of "regret" and "frustration" about missing out on the part, revealing the knock-back really impacted him.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster auditioned for the part of Ron Weasley in Harry Potter (
Universal Pictures)

Speaking about the audition, which he attended when he was just 10, he told Radio Times: "It was my first experience of rejection and hit me quite hard.

"I had feelings of anger and frustration, but I couldn't really put the blame on anyone for not giving me the role.

"I do remember thinking, though, that the next time I went for an audition, I'd have to put up a shield to stop myself from getting hurt.

Rupert Grint eventually landed the role (
Universal Pictures)

"It was the last time I ever felt like that, so whatever I did seemed to work."

While acting runs in the family for Thomas - his father was also an actor - but didn't actually go for any formal training.

"My parents had friends who were actors and sick of not getting any work, so they set up a small agency. I joined their books", he explained of gaining his first part.

Thomas'  acting CV also includes Game of Thrones, Nanny McPhee and The Maze Runner (
PA)

Luckily for Thomas, the rejection was only a minor setback and he went on to star in some of the biggest screen hits just a few years later, with his first major role being lovestruck Sam in Love Actually - the stepson of Liam Neeson's character Daniel.

Not a bad way to start!

His impressive acting CV also includes Game of Thrones, Nanny McPhee and The Maze Runner, and he's also got a new Netflix series coming out soon - The Queen's Gambit, alongside Anna Taylor-Joy.

Thomas will play arrogant chess prodigy Benny Watts in the show, which is based on Walter Tevis' novel of the same name. It's due to hit the platform on 23rd October, so mark your diaries.

Featured Image Credit: Universal Pictures

Topics: Harry Potter, Celebrity Entertainment, Celebrity News, TV News, TV Entertainment