Child stars tend to have a bad track record. Examples: Lindsay Lohan, the adolescent Drew Barrymore, the just-entered-rehab Demi Lovato. So it’s almost miraculous that the main HP cast has so far avoided any real personal disasters. In honor of the release of the 7th and second-to-last film this Friday, let’s take a look at the post-HP careers of the main child star cast.

Harry Potter, or Daniel Radcliffe

Out of all the Harry Potter kids, Radcliffe made his transition from HP kid idol to adolescent the most visible; Equus, anyone?  But while he keeps his acting career, both on film and on the stage, a priority, Radcliffe is also involved in other causes, such as gay rights. Radcliffe is continuing his work as an actor, with projects lined up for the future. As for any other projects, who knows? He could pull an Emma Watson and try designing clothes, as he’s something of a fashion plate himself.

Ronald Weasley, or Rupert Grint

While Grint’s career outside of Harry Potter isn’t as flashy as, say, Radcliffe’s or Watson’s, he’s still actively acting. Grint has several films out this year, and he’s also slated to play Britain’s first ski jumper, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, in a biopic. Considered by his fellow cast members as remarkably laid back, Grint also pokes a lot of fun at his acting career, saying once that if acting didn’t work out, he could always pursue a career with his ice cream van.

Hermione Granger, or Emma Watson

Watson has been in a couple of films and film projects during Harry Potter, but she’s publicly made the move to leave acting for a while and study at Brown University. However, that does not mean that she’s leaving the world of stardom: after modeling for Burberry’s Autumn/Winter 2009 collection, Watson’s presence in the fashion world has only expanded, with one design line already under her belt and possibly another on the way. Oh, and have you seen the Vogue UK December cover?

Draco Malfoy, or Tom Felton

In comparison with some of his other cast members, Felton is eager to move past Harry Potter, remarking that “there is a little bit of sadness, but at the same time there is excitement.” Some other interests he can now pursue more often: outdoorsy activities such as cricket, basketball, golf, and carp fishing. Felton hasn’t left acting though, with a cameo in this year’s summer hit “Get Him to the Greek” as well as several films lined up.

Ginny Weasley, or Bonnie Wright

Wright’s career path is more like Watson’s than her on-screen brother’s, with spots in and on fashion publications like InStyle, Nylon, and the ASOS magazine. With only one acting gig on the horizon for her, perhaps Wright will take her fashion success and translate into the kind of deals that Watson has now. For the time being, she is on track to study film and television at London’s University of the Arts.

Also, take a look at Dudley Dursley now.

Reach Lilian here.
Join our mailing list.