Ruari Spooner is a British actor whose name is suddenly everywhere. He plays Percy Weasley in HBO's Harry Potter series, and the first season premieres on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026. He has also joined the cast of Bender, a comedy set in late-1970s Dublin.
So who is he? This guide covers what is confirmed about his career and his two biggest projects. It also says plainly which personal details, like his exact age, have not been made public.
Who Is Ruari Spooner?
Ruari Spooner is a young British actor with roots in theatre. Reports say he recently graduated from the National Youth Theatre's REP Company for 2024/25. The National Youth Theatre's own site lists him in its production of Twelfth Night, playing a priest and a member of the chorus.
His screen résumé is short, which is normal for an actor at this stage. Before Harry Potter, he appeared in the short film Syncopation. IMDb lists his role there as Remy. That's why his recent casting news feels like such a leap.
Why Is Ruari Spooner Famous?
Three things put him in the spotlight:
- Percy Weasley. HBO announced him as Percy alongside the other Weasley children.
- Bender. He plays the leader of the teenage gang in this comedy.
- Timing. The HBO series has a firm premiere date, and fans are learning who's who in the cast.
Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley in Harry Potter
Who Is Percy Weasley?
Percy is the third Weasley brother. He's a Hogwarts prefect who loves rules, and he is Ron's third-oldest brother. In a house full of pranksters, he's the serious one.
That makes him the odd one out. Fred and George tease him constantly. Ron looks up to him, and Ginny grows up watching him chase status. Later in the books, Percy's loyalty to authority pulls him away from his family. His story is about pride, mistakes, and the long road back. It gives the Weasley storyline much of its emotional weight.
In the films, Chris Rankin played Percy. Spooner now takes over the role for a new generation.
Ruari Spooner's Harry Potter Casting
HBO revealed Spooner's casting in August 2025. The announcement came while filming was already underway at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK. HBO also shared a group photo of the Weasley siblings with Alastair Stout, who plays Ron.
The series is a big, patient project. The first season has eight episodes and adapts the first novel. Much of the cast is young, and the show is built around newcomers as its three leads.
The Weasley Family Cast
Here is the publicly announced Weasley casting:
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
- Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
- Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
Katherine Parkinson plays their mother, Molly. Tristan and Gabriel Harland are real-life brothers, which suits the twin roles.
HBO's Harry Potter Series
When Will the Harry Potter Series Be Released?
The series arrives soon. HBO's confirmed date of December 25, 2026 came earlier than the original 2027 plan. It will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max where available. HBO released a full trailer on September 2, 2026, and has already renewed the show for a second season.
One open question is whether all episodes drop at once or weekly. Check HBO's announcements for the release format.
Who Is in the Harry Potter Cast?
The main cast includes:
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
Paul Whitehouse plays Filch, Luke Thallon plays Quirrell, and Lox Pratt plays Draco Malfoy.
Where Is Harry Potter Being Filmed?
The show is based at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, just outside London. Filming began in July 2025, and reports say season one wrapped in May 2026. Leavesden holds the interior sets for Hogwarts, including the Great Hall. The production also shot on location around the UK.
Ruari Spooner in Bender
This project shows a different side of him. Bender is a comedy, and Spooner leads it.
What Is Bender About?
The film is a coming-of-age comedy set in post-punk Dublin in the late 1970s. It has been described as "Superbad meets Derry Girls." It is based on the real teenage years of writer Adrian Cunningham.
The story follows a group of teenage misfits during the 1979 papal visit to Ireland. They see the huge crowds as their best chance to lose their virginity before they leave school. It's a raunchy premise, but the makers also call it heartfelt.
What Role Does Ruari Spooner Play in Bender?
Spooner plays the leader of the hopeless but resourceful gang of teenagers. The reported details of his character stop there. It is a lead part in a film with well-known comedy names, and it gives him a role far from the strict Percy.
Bender Cast
The publicly reported cast includes:
- Ruari Spooner as the leader of the teenage gang
- Bill Burr, who plays a gruff American record shop owner and is also an executive producer
- Chris O'Dowd, who plays a family man whose business, marriage and faith start to crumble
- Ruth Bradley
- Kitty Graham, a newcomer
- Geraldine Hughes
Where Is Bender Being Filmed?
The film shoots in Ireland. Filming is underway in Belfast. Michael Medico took over as director from Adam Bernstein, who left the project for undisclosed reasons. Some older listings still name Bernstein, so trust the recent reports.
I found no release date for Bender yet.
Ruari Spooner's Acting Career
Ruari Spooner Movies and TV Shows
Here are his credits that can be reliably verified:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (premieres Dec 25) | Harry Potter (HBO series) | Percy Weasley |
| TBA | Bender (film) | Leader of the teenage gang |
| 2024 | Syncopation (short film) | Remy |
| Stage | Twelfth Night (National Youth Theatre) | Priest / Chorus |
Other theatre credits are listed on fan wikis, but I left them out because I couldn't confirm them from reliable sources.
Ruari Spooner's Upcoming Projects
His two announced projects are the HBO Harry Potter series and Bender. HBO has renewed the series for a second season, which adapts Chamber of Secrets. Variety's casting report for season two includes Spooner as Percy. No other projects have been announced.
Fans of rising talent can also browse Snoopy Magazine's profiles of Antonio Marziale, Abubakr Ali and Joel Oulette. Oulette, for one, joined another big fantasy adaptation as Hahn in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Ruari Spooner Age, Nationality and Background
How Old Is Ruari Spooner?
His exact age and birthday have not been publicly confirmed. His Spotlight profile lists a playing age of 16 to 22, which describes the roles he can play, not his real age. A few celebrity-birthday sites list a specific date, but I couldn't trace it to a reliable source, so I'm not repeating it.
Where Is Ruari Spooner From?
He is listed as British. His birthplace has not been confirmed.
Ruari Spooner's Early Life and Education
Little is documented. The most reliable detail is his theatre training, since he is reported to be a recent graduate of the National Youth Theatre's REP Company. His family, school, and hometown haven't been shared publicly, and I won't guess.
Ruari Spooner Social Media
Media outlets credit photos of him to an Instagram account under the handle @ruarispooner. I couldn't verify any other social profiles, so I'm not listing them. Be careful with fan accounts and lookalike names, especially since other people share his surname.
Final Thoughts on Ruari Spooner
Ruari Spooner is moving from stage work and a short film to two of the year's most talked-about projects. He plays Percy Weasley in the HBO series, and he leads the comedy, Bender. His career is picking up speed as the Harry Potter premiere gets closer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ruari Spooner?
He is a British actor who plays Percy Weasley in HBO's Harry Potter series and stars in the comedy Bender.
Who does Ruari Spooner play in Harry Potter?
He plays Percy Weasley, the rule-loving Hogwarts prefect and Ron's older brother.
Is Ruari Spooner playing Percy Weasley?
Yes. HBO announced him in the role in August 2025.
How old is Ruari Spooner?
His age hasn't been publicly confirmed. His Spotlight playing age is 16 to 22.
Where is Ruari Spooner from?
He is described as British. His birthplace isn't confirmed.
What movies and TV shows is Ruari Spooner in?
His verified credits are the 2024 short film Syncopation, the HBO Harry Potter series, and the upcoming film Bender.
What role does Ruari Spooner play in Bender?
He plays the leader of a gang of teenage misfits in late-1970s Dublin.
When will Ruari Spooner appear in Harry Potter?
Season one premieres on December 25, 2026. HBO hasn't published a breakdown of Percy's episodes in the sources I found.
