Season 2 of “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” is underway on the Food Network. The first episode aired on Sunday, November 2, much to “Harry Potter” and baking fans’ delight.
The series is hosted by Oliver and James Phelps. They’re the twin actors who played Ron Weasley’s older brothers George and Fred in all eight of the “Harry Potter” movies between 2001 and 2011.
The Phelps twins have been discussing which of the actors with whom they shared the screen in the blockbuster movies inspired them most.
A Motherly ‘Harry Potter’ Was Named by Oliver Phelps
The Phelps twins were answering a viewer question that read, “The Harry Potter cast was filled with incredible icons. Who inspired you most during your time on set?”
They answered in a 63-second video posted to the Food Network’s official Instagram account.
Oliver Phelps spoke first and began by saying, “We had a lot of icons when we were filming Harry Potter.” He continued, “One who inspired me would probably have to be Julie Walters.”
Walters, 75, played the Phelps brothers’ mother, Molly Weasley, in the the “Harry Potter” movies — and it sounds like she took on a motherly role away from the camera.
Oliver elaborated by saying, “Because she looked after us on set. She gave us good advice and she helped us out. Definitely Julie Walters.”
Two Sadly Deceased ‘Harry Potter’ Stars Were Named by James Phelps
GettyJames Phelps gave his response to the same question and named two dearly departed actors from the “Harry Potter” movies.
First, he said, “Of all the icons we had in the movies, they all inspired me in certain ways. So the way that Maggie Smith would act off camera – she was always on time, always polite to anybody on the set. No matter what the paygrade, she was always exactly the same, very courteous to everybody.”
James continued, saying, “She always knew her lines, never complained, and just did the job that was needed. So, whenever you see people, not that I’ve seen it often, but if there’s ever an ego on a set anywhere, I just think Maggie Smith never had an ego and she was a legend, so that’s how to behave.”
Smith passed away at the age of 89 in 2024, having played Hogwarts’ headmistress Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” movies.
James also mentioned another actor who’s no longer with us. The host said, “Going into… just like Michael Gambon. He was like one of the funniest guys you’ll ever meet, but also very giving with his time.”
He added, “Any questions I ever had about doing a certain scene or whatever, he would literally put down his script and listen to what I was asking him. So I will always be thankful for those times with those people.”
Gambon played Hogwarts’ headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” movies, having replaced Richard Harris, who died after portraying the character in the first two installments. Gambon passed away in 2023 at the age of 82.
The second episode of “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” is set to air this Sunday, November 9.
