Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Francesca Wright[1][2] (born 17 February 1991)[3] is an English actress, model, screenwriter, director and producer best known for playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.
In 2014, she took part in the third series of The Great Sport/Comic Relief Bake Off: she won the first episode, being named the "Star Baker
In 2014, she took part in the third series of The Great Sport/Comic Relief Bake Off: she won the first episode, being named the "Star Baker
Early life and education
Wright was born in London, England, the second child of Sheila Teague and Gary Wright, owners of the jewellery company Wright & Teague. She has an older brother, Lewis. Wright attended Prior Weston Primary School and later the King Alfred School in North London for her secondary education.[5] During the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Part 2, Wright began attending London's University of the Arts: London College of Communication, to study as a Film and Television Production Manager because of her plans to continue acting and to work behind-the-scenes after filming Harry Potter.
Career
Acting
2001–2011: Harry Potter Series
Wright auditioned for the role of Ginny Weasley because her brother said she reminded him of the character.[6] Wright appears in the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, only in a small scene set at London King's Cross railway station, where her character and her mother Molly meet Harry Potter as four of her older brothers board the Hogwarts express. Her role became much more prominent in the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in which her character begins studies at Hogwarts and encounters a secret diary that begins to control her actions.
She also opened the titular chamber in the same film under the influence of Tom Riddle, the main antagonist of Harry Potter series. Wright was seen in third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban chatting with Hermione in one background and had few dialogues. However, her character had a bonafide supporting role in the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with dialogue sprinkled across several scenes and perhaps her most screen-time yet.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Wright played a central role, joining Dumbledore's Army and eventually participating in the climactic battle between the DA and the Order of the Phoenix with Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Wright's central role continued in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where she became an important chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and ultimately Harry Potter's love interest.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, Wright again reprised her central role for the last time. In these films she was seen particularly in scenes before the three protagonists went in search of Horcruxes, The Battle of Hogwarts and in the Epilogue set nineteen years later.
Wright has also provided the voice of Ginny in the video game versions of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. Wright is one of the thirteen actors who has appeared in all eight films of the Harry Potter franchise.All the Harry Potter films were critical and high commercial successes. All the films as of 2014 have found places in List of highest-grossing films. Deathly Hallows Part 2 Stands at fourth highest grossing film of all time in that list.
Wright received positive reviews for her performances as Ginny Weasley throughout the globe. Variety wrote, "Bonnie Wright's Ginny intrigues as the sort of initial plain Jane who keeps growing on you."[8] Comingsoon.net wrote "that If someone told me eight years ago that Bonnie Wright, introduced as Ginny Weasley in the first movie, would turn into such a strong dramatic actress who could carry scenes as well as the three leads, I wouldn't have believed it,"[9] and Film School Rejects who also wrote "Ginny (Bonnie Wright) in particular shines through, building on the power she gained in the last film to become an independent young woman that proves more complex with every scene".[10] While Indian critic Taran Adarsh said, "[Bonnie] Wright makes her impact feel nicely and beautifully as Ginny Weasley throughout the Harry Potter Series."
Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling gave a speech during the world premiere of the eighth and final film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on 7 July 2011 in London, England. She announced that there are seven Harry Potter film series cast members to whom she refers as "The Big Seven", and she named Wright as one of the seven members, alongside with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis and Evanna Lynch
She also opened the titular chamber in the same film under the influence of Tom Riddle, the main antagonist of Harry Potter series. Wright was seen in third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban chatting with Hermione in one background and had few dialogues. However, her character had a bonafide supporting role in the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with dialogue sprinkled across several scenes and perhaps her most screen-time yet.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Wright played a central role, joining Dumbledore's Army and eventually participating in the climactic battle between the DA and the Order of the Phoenix with Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Wright's central role continued in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where she became an important chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and ultimately Harry Potter's love interest.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, Wright again reprised her central role for the last time. In these films she was seen particularly in scenes before the three protagonists went in search of Horcruxes, The Battle of Hogwarts and in the Epilogue set nineteen years later.
Wright has also provided the voice of Ginny in the video game versions of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. Wright is one of the thirteen actors who has appeared in all eight films of the Harry Potter franchise.All the Harry Potter films were critical and high commercial successes. All the films as of 2014 have found places in List of highest-grossing films. Deathly Hallows Part 2 Stands at fourth highest grossing film of all time in that list.
Wright received positive reviews for her performances as Ginny Weasley throughout the globe. Variety wrote, "Bonnie Wright's Ginny intrigues as the sort of initial plain Jane who keeps growing on you."[8] Comingsoon.net wrote "that If someone told me eight years ago that Bonnie Wright, introduced as Ginny Weasley in the first movie, would turn into such a strong dramatic actress who could carry scenes as well as the three leads, I wouldn't have believed it,"[9] and Film School Rejects who also wrote "Ginny (Bonnie Wright) in particular shines through, building on the power she gained in the last film to become an independent young woman that proves more complex with every scene".[10] While Indian critic Taran Adarsh said, "[Bonnie] Wright makes her impact feel nicely and beautifully as Ginny Weasley throughout the Harry Potter Series."
Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling gave a speech during the world premiere of the eighth and final film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on 7 July 2011 in London, England. She announced that there are seven Harry Potter film series cast members to whom she refers as "The Big Seven", and she named Wright as one of the seven members, alongside with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis and Evanna Lynch
2002–present: Subsequent acting work
Wright appeared in two TV movies that were Stranded (2002) as the younger version of Sarah Robinson and Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures (2004), where she played the younger version of writer Agatha Christie.[12]
In 2007, she had a guest role on the Disney Channel's The Replacements voicing Vanessa in the second season premiere titled "London Calling".
Wright signed to appear in Sweat, a short film which is part of a project of five films titled Geography of the Heart, a feature length anthology film about "the complexity of intimacy, shot in five international locations around the world." Wright portrays Mia and the film has a set release of 2014.[13][14]
Wright starred in After the Dark (formerly known as "The Philosophers"[15]), an American production which began filming July 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The film also stars Rhys Wakefield and James D'Arcy and her Harry Potter co-star Freddie Stroma.[16] The film is directed by John Huddles.[17][18] Wright plays Georgina, one of the students.[19] The film premiered at Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival on 7 July 2013.[20] The film released on 7 February 2014.[15]
In June 2012, Wright joined the film Before I Sleep[21] starring David Warner, Tom Sizemore, Cynthia Gibb, Eric Roberts, Eugene Simon, Campbell Scott and Chevy Chase.[22][23] The film premiered at the 2013 Heartland Film Festival.[24]
In September 2012, Wright joined the cast of The Sea, based on the novel of the same name by John Bansville, playing Rose the young nursemaid, starring her Harry Potter co-star Ciarán Hinds as well as Rufus Sewell, Natascha McElhone and Sinéad Cusack.[25][26] The film premiered in competition at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 23 June 2013,[27] and had its North American premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.[28]
In May 2013, it was announced that Wright would be making her stage debut as the role of The Girl in The Moment of Truth, a play written by Peter Ustinov.[29] The play was performed at the London's Southwark Playhouse on 26 June 2013 prior to an official opening on 28 June 2013 for a four-week run through 20 July 2013.[30][31] Wright received positive reviews for her stage debut performance in The Moment of Truth play; the British Theatre Guide wrote "Bonnie Wright makes clear in her performance, she is motivated by love for her father and movingly has to face rejection from her gas-masked lover when he returns as liberator".[32] The Stage said that "Bonnie Wright, in her stage debut, is perfectly acceptable as the Girl".[33] In the Ones To Parts review of the play said "Bonnie Wright showing us that there's more to her than Harry's love interest Ginny Weasley though in truth, despite being younger even than her juvenile co-stars, she was always one of the series strongest and most natural actors".[34] The London Evening Standard wrote "Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, makes a decent stage debut as the Marshal's daughter".[35]
In August 2013, Wright confirmed that she has started filming Abigail Schwarz's comedy Those Who Wander, produced by Nicola Scandiffio
In 2007, she had a guest role on the Disney Channel's The Replacements voicing Vanessa in the second season premiere titled "London Calling".
Wright signed to appear in Sweat, a short film which is part of a project of five films titled Geography of the Heart, a feature length anthology film about "the complexity of intimacy, shot in five international locations around the world." Wright portrays Mia and the film has a set release of 2014.[13][14]
Wright starred in After the Dark (formerly known as "The Philosophers"[15]), an American production which began filming July 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The film also stars Rhys Wakefield and James D'Arcy and her Harry Potter co-star Freddie Stroma.[16] The film is directed by John Huddles.[17][18] Wright plays Georgina, one of the students.[19] The film premiered at Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival on 7 July 2013.[20] The film released on 7 February 2014.[15]
In June 2012, Wright joined the film Before I Sleep[21] starring David Warner, Tom Sizemore, Cynthia Gibb, Eric Roberts, Eugene Simon, Campbell Scott and Chevy Chase.[22][23] The film premiered at the 2013 Heartland Film Festival.[24]
In September 2012, Wright joined the cast of The Sea, based on the novel of the same name by John Bansville, playing Rose the young nursemaid, starring her Harry Potter co-star Ciarán Hinds as well as Rufus Sewell, Natascha McElhone and Sinéad Cusack.[25][26] The film premiered in competition at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 23 June 2013,[27] and had its North American premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.[28]
In May 2013, it was announced that Wright would be making her stage debut as the role of The Girl in The Moment of Truth, a play written by Peter Ustinov.[29] The play was performed at the London's Southwark Playhouse on 26 June 2013 prior to an official opening on 28 June 2013 for a four-week run through 20 July 2013.[30][31] Wright received positive reviews for her stage debut performance in The Moment of Truth play; the British Theatre Guide wrote "Bonnie Wright makes clear in her performance, she is motivated by love for her father and movingly has to face rejection from her gas-masked lover when he returns as liberator".[32] The Stage said that "Bonnie Wright, in her stage debut, is perfectly acceptable as the Girl".[33] In the Ones To Parts review of the play said "Bonnie Wright showing us that there's more to her than Harry's love interest Ginny Weasley though in truth, despite being younger even than her juvenile co-stars, she was always one of the series strongest and most natural actors".[34] The London Evening Standard wrote "Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, makes a decent stage debut as the Marshal's daughter".[35]
In August 2013, Wright confirmed that she has started filming Abigail Schwarz's comedy Those Who Wander, produced by Nicola Scandiffio
Modelling
Wright has her own profile page at Next Models Agency.[38] She was named the winner of the Most Edgy Look Award at the 2011 Rodial Beautiful Awards.[39] Also in 2011, Wright appeared in a fashion spread for The Financial Times' luxury lifestyle magazine How to Spend It. The shoot, which took place at the Victoria and Albert Museum, was dedicated to capturing the languor of Dante Rossetti's paintings.[40]
Wright has participated as a catwalk model for fashion designer Katie Eary at an autumn/winter 2011 show during London Fashion Week.[41] Wright has been featured in various photoshoots and interviews: including in the Entertainment Weekly,[42] The Times Luxx Magazine,[43] The Daily Mail You Magazine,[44] InStyle Magazine,[45] Nylon Magazine,[46] Vanity Fair,[47] and Dirty Glam Magazine.[48]
In August 2013, Wright participated along with Phoebe Collings James and Clara Paget, who teamed up with jeweller designer Dominic Jones modelling southsea deckchairs in aid of World Land Trust and Winchester School of Art charity.
Wright has participated as a catwalk model for fashion designer Katie Eary at an autumn/winter 2011 show during London Fashion Week.[41] Wright has been featured in various photoshoots and interviews: including in the Entertainment Weekly,[42] The Times Luxx Magazine,[43] The Daily Mail You Magazine,[44] InStyle Magazine,[45] Nylon Magazine,[46] Vanity Fair,[47] and Dirty Glam Magazine.[48]
In August 2013, Wright participated along with Phoebe Collings James and Clara Paget, who teamed up with jeweller designer Dominic Jones modelling southsea deckchairs in aid of World Land Trust and Winchester School of Art charity.
Screenwriting, directing and producing
Wright made her screenwriting and directorial debut for her graduation film Separate We Come, Separate We Go starring her Potter co-star David Thewlis.[51] The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival short film corner and screen at the BAFTA Graduate.[52][53][54]
Wright has now graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from London's University of the Arts: London College of Communication, and is the owner of her own production company called Bon Bon Lumiere.[55]
In December 2013, Wright directed her After the Dark co-star Sophie Lowe, in her music video titled "Dreaming". The video was shot across Joshua Tree National Park. They filmed the video without any help, in the car of Lowe's friend. Wright filmed Lowe from the front seat of the car while Lowe was sitting in the back seat trying to create the feeling of drifting.[56][57]
In January 2014, it was announced that Wright directed a music video entitled "Sea Ess", with musician George Schuster, which was filmed in the late 2012.[58] In May 2014, she written and directed another short film titled Know Thyself, starring Christian Coulson
Wright has now graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from London's University of the Arts: London College of Communication, and is the owner of her own production company called Bon Bon Lumiere.[55]
In December 2013, Wright directed her After the Dark co-star Sophie Lowe, in her music video titled "Dreaming". The video was shot across Joshua Tree National Park. They filmed the video without any help, in the car of Lowe's friend. Wright filmed Lowe from the front seat of the car while Lowe was sitting in the back seat trying to create the feeling of drifting.[56][57]
In January 2014, it was announced that Wright directed a music video entitled "Sea Ess", with musician George Schuster, which was filmed in the late 2012.[58] In May 2014, she written and directed another short film titled Know Thyself, starring Christian Coulson
Personal life
In February 2010, Wright confirmed she was dating fellow British actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who played the younger version of Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. They confirmed their engagement in April 2011.[60][61] Wright and Bower amicably called off their engagement on 30 June 2012.[62]
Filmography