If you were watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and thought the eldest Weasley brother looked like he stepped off the set of a gritty indie drama, you weren't wrong. Most people actually miss him the first time around. He shows up late. By the time we finally meet him on screen, the Wizarding World is falling apart.
So, who plays Bill Weasley in Harry Potter? That would be Domhnall Gleeson.
He’s an actor who has since become a massive Hollywood staple, but back in 2010, he was the guy with the cool scars and the rockstar ponytail. It’s funny because Bill is such a huge deal in the books—the cool, curse-breaking, earring-wearing rebel—yet the movies sort of glossed over him until the very end. Domhnall didn't just get the part because he’s a phenomenal actor, though that helped. There’s a bit of a family legacy involved that makes his casting one of the best "Easter eggs" in the entire franchise.
The Weasley Family Connection You Probably Missed
Here is the thing about Domhnall Gleeson: he is the son of Brendan Gleeson.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Brendan Gleeson is the legendary actor who played Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. Imagine the vibe on set. You’ve got the father playing the most grizzled, paranoid Auror in history, and the son playing the suave, werewolf-mauled eldest Weasley.
Domhnall has been pretty open in interviews about how he didn't initially want to be an actor. He actually studied Media Arts and wanted to direct or write. But the pull of the craft was too strong. When the role of Bill Weasley came up, it wasn't just a job; it was a chance to join a cinematic phenomenon his dad was already a massive part of.
He didn't get a free pass, though. He had to audition like anyone else. The casting directors needed someone who could embody that specific Weasley energy—red hair is a given, obviously—but also a certain ruggedness. Bill isn't a joker like Fred and George. He isn't a rule-follower like Percy. He’s the guy who goes to Egypt to break ancient curses. Domhnall brought that.
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More Than Just a Face in the Background
It’s easy to forget that Bill Weasley isn't just "the guy who marries Fleur Delacour."
In the books, Bill’s arc is tragic and intense. He gets attacked by Fenrir Greyback. He isn't turned into a full werewolf because it wasn't a full moon, but he develops a permanent taste for very rare steaks and carries those deep, jagged facial scars for life.
When Domhnall Gleeson took the role, he had to sit through hours of prosthetic makeup. It wasn't just a little scratch. It was a transformation. He had to convey a man who had been through the wringer but still held onto his humanity.
Where Else Have You Seen Domhnall Gleeson?
Honestly, everywhere.
If you're sitting there scratching your head thinking, "I know those eyes," it's because Domhnall Gleeson became an absolute powerhouse after Harry Potter ended. He didn't get pigeonholed as a child star or a franchise actor. He pivoted. Hard.
- Star Wars: He played General Hux. You know, the high-strung, screaming First Order officer who looks like he needs a long nap and a chamomile tea? Total 180 from the chill Bill Weasley.
- Ex Machina: This is arguably his best work. He plays a programmer caught in a psychological nightmare with an AI. It’s quiet, tense, and brilliant.
- About Time: If you want to cry, watch this. He plays a time-traveling romantic opposite Rachel McAdams. It’s basically the "anti-General Hux" role.
- The Revenant: He held his own against Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy in the freezing wilderness.
He’s also popped up in Brooklyn, Black Mirror (the "Be Right Back" episode which is devastating), and Peter Rabbit. The range is actually kind of insane. It speaks to why his performance as Bill Weasley worked so well despite the limited screen time. He brings a "lived-in" feeling to his characters. You believe Bill has a history.
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The Mystery of the "Missing" Bill Weasley
One of the biggest gripes fans have with the films is that Bill (and Charlie, for that matter) were basically erased until the plot absolutely demanded them.
In the books, we meet Bill much earlier. He’s at the Quidditch World Cup. He’s a constant presence at the Burrow. In the movies? He’s a mention in a photograph until The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
The producers had a tough choice. With so many characters, who stays and who goes? For a long time, Bill was on the cutting room floor. When they finally cast Domhnall, it was a signal that the stakes were getting real. They needed a "Shell Cottage" that felt like a sanctuary, and they needed a Bill who felt like a protector.
Real-World Nuance: Was He the Only Choice?
There’s always talk in fandom about "perfect casting."
Some people wanted a more "conventionally" rugged action hero for Bill. But the Weasleys were never meant to be Hollywood chiseled. They are earthy. They are real. Domhnall’s lanky frame and expressive face fit the "cool older brother" vibe perfectly.
Interestingly, there were rumors early on that other actors were considered, but the Gleeson connection felt like destiny. It’s a bit of "meta" storytelling. Just as the Weasleys are a tight-knit family, the British acting community is equally small. Having a real-life father and son on the call sheet just added a layer of authenticity that you can’t manufacture with CGI or scripts.
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What to Watch Next if You Like Domhnall's Work
If you’re a fan of his portrayal of Bill, you should check out his work in The Patient on Hulu/FX. He plays a serial killer opposite Steve Carell. It is terrifying. It’s about as far from a Weasley as you can get, but it shows that the guy who played the "coolest" Harry Potter character has some serious dark-side chops.
He also recently starred in Alice & Jack, a romantic drama that divided critics but proved he can still carry a leading-man role with that same vulnerability he brought to Shell Cottage.
Actionable Takeaways for Potter Fans
If you're doing a rewatch or just diving back into the lore, here is how to appreciate Domhnall Gleeson’s contribution to the series:
- Watch the background: In the Shell Cottage scenes, look at how Gleeson handles the physical presence of Bill. He carries himself like someone who is physically changed by his encounter with Greyback.
- The Family Ties: Look for the subtle similarities between Domhnall and Brendan Gleeson's performances. There’s a specific way they both use their eyes to convey "I know more than I’m saying."
- The Books vs. Movies: If you’ve only seen the movies, go back and read the Half-Blood Prince chapters involving Bill’s injury. It gives so much more weight to Domhnall’s performance in the final films.
- Follow the Career: Don’t stop at Potter. Domhnall Gleeson is one of the few actors from that era who has managed to build a truly diverse filmography without being defined by a single franchise.
Bill Weasley might have had less screen time than a House Elf, but Domhnall Gleeson made every second count. He turned a "background brother" into a character people still talk about a decade after the final credits rolled.
To see more of the Gleeson family's impact on cinema, look up the film Calvary or The Banshees of Inisherin. While Domhnall isn't in the latter, his father's performance provides a great look at the acting pedigree that helped shape the Bill Weasley we see on screen. For a deeper dive into the makeup process, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London often features the prosthetic molds used for Bill's scars, offering a first-hand look at the detail that went into his transformation.