Early Life
James Andrew Eric Phelps was born on February 25, 1986, in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England, thirteen minutes after his brother Oliver. Raised in a middle-class household, the twins attended Little Sutton Primary School and later the Arthur Terry School. Neither had formal acting training prior to being cast in “Harry Potter.”
Harry Potter
In 2000, James and Oliver auditioned for “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” after hearing about an open casting call. Despite having no previous acting experience, they were cast as Fred and George Weasley, James playing Fred. He appeared in all eight films from 2001 to 2011, with the twins serving as comic relief and fan favorites throughout the series. James’s performance grew increasingly prominent as the series progressed, particularly in later installments where Fred and George’s joke shop, rebellious streak, and emotional depth played a larger narrative role. Fred’s tragic death in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” remains one of the series’ most heartbreaking moments.
Post-Potter Work
After the end of the franchise, James continued to act, often appearing in independent films such as “Patchwork,” “Cadia: The World Within,” and “Braking Point.” He’s also taken small roles on television, including an appearance in “Silent Witness.” In addition to acting, James has worked as a producer and assistant director on several projects, showing a strong interest in storytelling behind the scenes. He and Oliver launched the podcast Normal Not Normal, where they’ve interviewed guests ranging from actors and athletes to mental health advocates. James remains active in the global “Harry Potter” fan community, frequently attending conventions, charity events, and reunion panels.
