ITN has released a few new interviews with the Harry Potter cast where they discuss the films.  Bonnie, Rupert and Dan talk about the final films. Rupert and Dan also talk about Christmas:

Thanks SS!

Portrait magazine has released their Top 30 Under 30 list and a bunch of Potter stars are on the list (long post):

#18. Take That Edward Cullen!: Daniel Radcliffe
Born: July 23, 1989
Twilight may have been the latest craze to take over the world much like how Harry Potter did when it was first released, but the release of the sixth film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince this year proved that the Harry Potter cast still have what it takes and that its star Daniel Radcliffe is still adored by fans.

#14. No Bad Boy: Tom Felton
Born: September 22, 1987
He may play a bad guy on screen, but this Harry Potter actor is far from it in real life. Unlike his alter ego, Tom is a bit of a self confessed technology geek, who loves his i-Phone. Real life Draco Malfoy? We think not!

#8. The Dilligent Student: Emma Watson
Born: April 15, 1990
She plays a dedicated student Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, but in real life, portrayer Emma Watson is just as studious to her studies. This year the young British actress can now add college student to her resume, as she is now attending Brown University in the USA, in an attempt for normalcy in her life.

#5. No Sidekick: Rupert Grint
Born: August 24, 1988
For years he’s been the shadow of best friend and teen wizard Harry Potter, but finally this year Ron Weasley and his portrayer Rupert Grint, have stepped out of the shadow and become their own man. Ron got the girl, with Ron and Hermione becoming a couple in this year’s Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, while Rupert furthered his acting career with a few roles that will seek to cement his future movie career.

#3. Dreams Do Come True: Evanna Lynch
Born: August 16, 1991
She’s gained a legion of dedicated fans from playing Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, but did you know that Evanna Lynch herself is quite the Harry Potter fan and has been long before she was even part of the films? When she was younger, Evanna used to write to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, asking if she have a role in the films. Funnily enough, J.K Rowling has written back to Evanna on occasions. Fast forward a few years later and dreams really do come true! And here’s an extra Evanna/Harry Potter tibit – Evanna made the Raddish Earrings that Luna Lovegood wears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

#2. The Multi-Tasker: Bonnie Wright
Born: February 17, 1991
Over the years, Bonnie Wright has turned into a fine young talented woman, and she can thank her multi-tasking abilities for allowing her to accomplish so much at a young age. While filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Bonnie balanced shooting with her A-Levels, where she took art, photography, design technology, and English. While filming Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows: Parts I & II, Bonnie intends to continue to the juggling act by also attending London’s University of the Arts to study film and television. In her spare time, Bonnie’s other interests include: art, dance, travelling, musical instruments such as the piano, guitar, saxophone, harmonica, and the recorder, and sports such as football, swimming, tennis, riding, ice skating, and cycling. Phew!

Rupert Grint and James and Oliver Phelps were asked to test try the Harry Potter Spells iPhone and iPod Touch application. Watch the video below thanks to Warner Bros. and SS!

BBC News recently interviewed a bunch of Harry Potter cast members and the interviews are now online in video and text form, here.  Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton and David Yates were interviewed.

“They’ve had a good structure here and at home, they are pretty solid kids,” he says.  “They are going to go and have great fun – they are going to have great success. I’m sure they will thrive. I think they all know I’m here to support them, and if they ever want a chat I’ll be there for them. Ultimately they’ve got to leave the fold and take flight – and I know they will.” – David Yates

There is also another new interview with Daniel that you can read here at CBBC Newsround.

Vira-Tempo interviewed David Yates, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Bonnie Wright about the production of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, filming Deathly Hallows, and more.

You’ve obviously known Dan for a while now. Did that make the romantic scenes easier or more difficult?

Bonnie: I thought it would make it more difficult because we’ve known each other as friends and within a working environment. But it actually made it easier in the sense that from having known him for so long, there’s that familiarity. Also the crew helped to make it much more relaxed. They let us get on with it and didn’t make this big drama around it, and it just slipped into place.

Hermione and Ron obviously have a bit of a romance in the movie. Were you excited for this storyline?

Emma: Yes, I was very excited. It might not be the most obvious storyline in a way. I think a lot of fans always saw Hermione and Harry together, but I think that Hermione and Ron are very strange, but kind of perfect for each other. They’re very different, but you know, they make each other laugh. Ron lightens her up. Hermione’s quite a serious character, so I think they’re good for each other.

Does it daunt you when you stop and think of the size of the franchise – the biggest film franchise in cinema history! When you think about that does it freak you out or have you got used to it?
Rupert: It’s strange because when we first started we had no idea where this was going or how long it would go on full sail. Every year it of comes as more of a shock in terms of how popular they seem to be getting. For me, it’s really crazy but nice, I enjoy that kind of thing.

And you’re also taking part in something of a first for the Blu-ray this time around. Tell me about the Blu-ray Live Community Screening?
Dan: Yes, it’s on December 12th and it means that anybody who has got the Blu-ray copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince can use the BD-Live function on the disc which means that everybody can join in with me and David Yates who are going to be watching the film together. And then everyone around the world will be watching the synchronized version of the film and then they can ask David and I questions – which we will attempt to answer as cogently and interestingly as we can!

Thanks SS!

SkyNews recently spoke to Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint and you can read the article online now.

“It’s getting quite confusing,” laughs Rupert Grint as he takes a break from shooting to talk to Sky News. “We’re kind of mixing them together, and because I’ve got longer hair in the second part I do lose track.””This is gonna have a very different feel to it,” admits Dan. “We barely spend any time at Hogwarts. I’ve been here for eight months and I’ve not filmed a single scene in the great hall, which is unheard of. I’m quite excited.”

And how do the cast feel about that big, ticking, clock, which in two years time will call time on the roles that have defined their childhood?  “At the moment we’ve still got a long way to go,” laughs Rupert, “but it’s gonna be very weird when we hear cut for the last time. But I think I’m ready to move on and see what else there is out there, and get into the real world, really!”

Thanks SS!