Who Is Alastair Stout? Meet HBO’s New Ron Weasley
From a Jersey Royal potato advert to Hogwarts: meet the young actor cast as Ron Weasley and discover the funny Manchester audition that helped him land the role.
Who is Alastair Stout?
Alastair Stout is a young actor cast as Ron Weasley in HBO’s new Harry Potter television series. HBO announced his casting on 27 May 2025, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry and Arabella Stanton as Hermione.
Unlike some of his co-stars, Stout entered the spotlight with a notably short list of professional credits—making his move into one of television’s biggest fantasy franchises especially striking.
What did Alastair Stout do before Harry Potter?
At the time of his casting announcement, Stout’s publicly listed professional acting credit was not a film or TV drama. It was a supermarket-food advertising campaign.
Albert Bartlett’s Jersey Royal advert
Stout appeared as “Son at Dinner” in the Roll On Jersey Royal Season campaign. It was the only professional credit listed on his agent’s CV when the HBO news broke.
HBO announces the new Ron Weasley
After a nationwide search, Stout was named as one of the three leads in the television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s novels.
His audition becomes part of Finding Harry
The special Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic gives viewers a glimpse of the casting process that brought Stout and his co-stars together.
It is more accurate to describe Ron as Stout’s first major television role than to say he had never acted before. The Jersey Royal commercial was a professional credit. ITV News documented the advert after the announcement.
How did Alastair Stout get the Ron Weasley role?
Stout was selected through HBO’s extensive open casting search, led by Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann. The team considered tens of thousands of children for the three central roles.
The behind-the-scenes documentary shows that Stout was seen in Manchester. Casting directors praised his natural humour and charm from the start, and footage includes him performing a playful verse about a dog and a snake.
What stands out is not a dramatic career résumé but the personality he showed in the room. HBO’s casting team wanted Harry, Ron and Hermione to feel like believable friends, and the documentary shows the young trio beginning to bond.
What “auditioned in Manchester” means
The city is confirmed as the audition location. It does not establish his birthplace, current address or hometown.
Who did Alastair Stout replace as Ron Weasley?
Stout takes over the role for a new adaptation rather than replacing footage from the original films. Rupert Grint played Ron in the eight Harry Potter cinema releases from 2001 to 2011.
Rupert Grint
Portrayed Ron across all eight Warner Bros. Harry Potter films.
Alastair Stout
Plays Ron in a new book-by-book series alongside Dominic McLaughlin and Arabella Stanton.
The television format gives the creative team more time to explore the friendship at the heart of the books. For the broader context, read why HBO is rebooting Harry Potter.
When can you watch Alastair Stout as Ron?
HBO’s eight-episode first season, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled to premiere on 25 December 2026. It will stream on HBO Max in the UK and other supported markets.
Season 1 of HBO’s new Harry Potter series
For UK viewing costs, see our HBO Max UK plans and prices guide.
In short
Alastair Stout went from a brief advertising credit to Ron Weasley, winning over casting directors with a funny audition and landing his first major television role.
Frequently asked questions
Three quick answers about the new Ron Weasley actor.
How old is Alastair Stout?
HBO has not publicly confirmed Alastair Stout’s exact date of birth in its casting announcement. Online age claims should be treated cautiously without a reliable source.
Is Alastair Stout from Manchester?
Casting directors met Alastair Stout during auditions in Manchester. That does not confirm Manchester as his birthplace or hometown.
Did Alastair Stout act before Harry Potter?
Yes. At the time of his May 2025 casting announcement, his publicly listed professional credit was an Albert Bartlett Jersey Royal potatoes advert, in which he played “Son at Dinner”.
Hasnaat Mahmood
Hasnaat covers entertainment and streaming at FindCheapStreaming, turning casting announcements, performer backgrounds and release news into clear, source-led guides.
Sources and further reading
- HBO / Wizarding World — official Golden Trio announcement (27 May 2025)
- ITV News — Alastair Stout’s Jersey Royal advert credit (28 May 2025)
- Wizarding World — details from Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic
- Warner Bros. Discovery — HBO series Christmas 2026 launch
- Wizarding World — confirmed 25 December 2026 premiere