Interview: Rhys Mulligan on Voicing Ron Weasley in Audible’s Harry Potter Full-Cast Audio Editions

Today’s interview is with Rhys Mulligan, an up-and-coming actor who voices the older Ron Weasley in Audible’s Harry Potter full-cast audio editions, covering books four through seven. With a passion for performance and character work, Mulligan has already built experience across stage and audio, including appearing in A Christmas Carol at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he developed both his acting and singing skills. Classically trained, he also holds an LAMDA Grade 8 in Acting and Public Speaking with Distinction.

I caught up with Rhys to talk about voicing Ron Weasley, recording alongside a full cast, and bringing one of fiction’s most beloved characters to life.

How did you first find out you’d been cast as Ron Weasley, and how did you approach playing this iconic role?

RM: I was genuinely shocked. Learning that I’d been chosen to play Ron Weasley, especially for huge names like Pottermore and Audible, felt surreal. Beyond the excitement, I quickly understood the weight of the responsibility. The Harry Potter fanbase is incredibly passionate, and bringing Ron to life with just my voice, when so many people are familiar with the films, was a massive responsibility. I had to strike a careful balance between honouring the Ron people know and offering my own fresh interpretation. Ultimately, I aimed to provide a sense of nostalgia while also making the performance engaging for new listeners.

What was your recording process like for the full-cast audio editions? Were there any unique challenges or surprises?

RM: There were quite a few challenges. We initially imagined it would feel like a big group recording, similar to filming, but logistically, with a global cast, that wasn’t possible. Most of the time, we recorded solo, listening to other performances on tape. However, I had Harry Myers, who plays Dumbledore’s brother, as my stand-in. He voiced all other characters, giving me real response time. His effort and accents were incredible. We did have moments working with Jaxon Knopf and Nina Barker-Francis, especially during auditions. The chemistry clicked immediately, and I think that’s when we all knew we were creating something special.

Did you grow up reading, watching, or listening to Harry Potter, and if so, what was it like returning to the story in a new format—especially when portraying Ron? Do you have a favourite moment from his journey, and how did you make the character your own while staying true to J.K. Rowling’s original vision?

RM: I did read the first four books, but honestly, I was a bit lazy and mostly watched the films. That said, I think I enjoyed the books more. Your mind is actively directing the story as you envisage each character. It's like building a puzzle, how engaging it is depends on the puzzle, and this is one of the best puzzles to work with. The challenge was balancing a fresh, unique performance while respecting the legacy. I re-read the books thoroughly, breaking down Ron’s experiences and emotions. Then, the way I take that in, process it in my head, and put it out into the microphone—that’s my creative liberty. I hope it’s to a standard everyone likes!

What’s been the most surprising or memorable fan reaction you’ve received so far, and what advice would you give to someone taking on the challenge of voicing a much-loved character?

RM: Honestly, I knew it was silly, but I expected people might recognise my voice. Of course, they won’t unless we’re talking! So, no one’s recognised me yet. But the funny bit? If I were Ron Weasley in reality, I wouldn’t be hanging out in the Muggle world.

It depends on your goal. Mimicking someone exactly might impress for a moment, but it’s like seeing the same painting twice, it won’t stay interesting. The story needs fresh interpretation from new voices. However, you need deep knowledge of the story, not just how you think the character feels, but how they truly feel. You must understand the character’s motives, directly from the books, not just past actors. I tried to portray Ron authentically, but make it fresh and new—never just the same.

Looking back on this experience, what’s the one thing you’ll remember most about bringing Ron to life with Audible and Pottermore?

RM: I’d never done voice acting before, and I realised how much harder it is to convey action purely with voice. It’s hard to convey, Ron, jumping into a car, Ron rolling on the ground. When the stage direction says "Ron chortled," what does that even sound like? Or "Ron made an ignorant noise", easy to read, harder to perform. You have to feed enough detail into your voice and acting so the listener can paint the picture. It’s creative liberty at its finest. Honestly, I hadn’t listened to audiobooks before this, but after listening to Book 1, I’m hooked!

Thank you, Rhys, for a wonderful interview. You can hear him bring Ron Weasley to life alongside a star-studded cast in Audible’s Harry Potter: Full-Cast Audio Editions, with monthly releases continuing until 12th May.

Rhys Mulligan is represented by the Sylvia Young Agency.