Continuing with their surge of Harry Potter articles the LA Times has an interview with Mark Williams who plays Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films.

For Harry Potter, did you read any of the novels before you were cast?
Yeah! I read them before I was cast and was, kind of embarrassingly, a fan, a bit. I found my agent and said ‘Is anybody gonna read these as talking books because I’d like to put my name up for it.’ I knew who Arthur Weasley was, and I know who I am and I knew I could do it. I’ve been in “101 Dalmatians” and “The Borrowers” and “Shakespeare in Love” and stuff … and I felt like I had a connection.

Yeah, you’re right, they’re not anymore, but did you take on a paternal role set?
Well, yeah, but you gotta be careful you know? They’re bored of it now, but there was a time when we first started where, particularly after lunch, Dan and Rupert could just have this giggle hour. It just reminded me of being back in school. you know, that time around 2 or 3 o’clock, you just couldn’t say anything serious. But, I have to say that they show remarkable forbearance … They must be so bored with talking to middle-aged actors throughout their childhood. But, the whole setup has been great for that. It’s like ‘Don’t be bringing your ego in here cause they’re just 8-year-old actors.’