Julie Walters on new role, supporting charity, and the progression of the young “Potter” stars

Julie Walters recently sat down for an interview with the Mirror to talk about her new role in The Harry Hill Movie, as well as her personal life and her view now of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.

In The Harry Hill Movie, Julie plays the grandmother of British comedian Harry Hill. The two of them go on a road trip after learning that Harry’s hamster has only a week to live. Of accepting the part, Julie says,

I love Harry Hill anyway. I was a huge fan of TV Burp so when I got the call asking if I wanted to read the script I said, ‘Yes!’ and loved it.

But she says she’s not in a rush to become a grandmother in real life, feeling that it’s really up to her daughter to decide.

When talking about her former Harry Potter co-stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, she seems to be quite proud:

Oh, I’m always checking on Daniel and Rupert… [Daniel]’s doing so bloody well! And he’s so developed as an actor from that little boy, that gorgeous little chap. All three of them are fabulous. It’s not easy for child actors to go from a character like Harry Potter, where they’re totally identified with it, to being an adult. They’ve coped with it well, and that’s very much down to the Harry Potter team – they were nurtured for 10 years.

The interviewer goes on to ask about Julie’s 2008 autobiography, in which she revealed that she was sexually assaulted as a child when a man tried to abduct her and two of her friends. Her memories resurfaced, she says, during the scandal surrounding BBC television presenter Jimmy Savile.

What happened to me was nothing like what happened to those poor kids, but I guess I’m more angry about it than I would’ve been if it hadn’t have happened to me.

Julie also recently visited Samaritans of Horsham and Crawley to give her support to the charity, which helps people experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts. She spent over two hours being given a tour and learning about their work. She says of the experience,

I am so proud to be associated with such a fantastic bunch of volunteers who are there for anyone who needs to talk, any time of day.

Click here to read the full interview from the Mirror, which covers even more topics, including life on the farm and a horrible summer job during drama school.