The Big Picture

• The Weasley family embodies virtues of bravery, loyalty, and honor, standing out among purebloods for their lack of prejudice.
• Ron Weasley played a pivotal role as Harry Potter's best friend, showcasing tactical brilliance and fierce loyalty throughout the films.
• The Weasley family is a beacon of love and camaraderie, with each member contributing unique qualities that make them stand out in the Wizarding World.

The Weasleys are one of the most prominent and expansive families in the Harry Potter franchise, thanks in no small part to their genuine virtuous morality and close bonds with The Boy Who Lived himself. In the films, several of the many siblings, and the parents play prominent and helpful roles. The family has also had a long tradition of being sorted into the Gryffindor House, with each member exemplifying immense qualities of bravery, loyalty, and honor. Despite being purebloods like the Blacks and Malfoys, the Weasley family is known to have a fond admiration for non-magical people and a lack of prejudice regarding those with different blood statuses. They even all fought as part of the Order of the Phoenix to defend the Wizarding world from Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the Second Wizarding War.

Though the family was never the wealthiest among wizards, their stacked house, dubbed "The Burrow," was overflowing with love and camaraderie. However, between the seven children, parents, and people who married into the family, there’s a whole directory of Weasley kin to get familiar with.

Ron Weasley

Played by Rupert Grint

The most prominent, and probably the most important Weasley in the series, is the youngest son, Ron (Rupert Grint). The youngest Weasley boy became Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) first and best friend through a simple gesture of kindness, as the bespectacled boy was thrust into the world of magic with little warning. Ron was by Harry’s side from day one, playing a pivotal role in every one of his adventures throughout the eight films. From navigating the puzzles of the Sorcerer’s Stone, to founding Dumbeldore’s Army, to playing Keeper on the Quidditch team, and helping hunt Horcruxes across the UK, Ron was integral to Harry’s greatest achievements.

The two were such close friends that, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it was Ron who was chosen as Harry’s most personal connection to be a hostage in the second challenge. However, it wasn’t just his friendship with Harry that made him important, as his tactical mind, intimate understanding of Wizarding traditions, and fierce underdog personality made him a compelling character all on his own. As Harry was raised by Muggles, Ron helped him navigate many of the eccentricities of wizard life. He was a spark of refreshing humor and a reliable friend and ally over the years.

Arthur and Molly Weasley

Played by Mark William and Julie Walters

The parents of the Weasley household are Arthur (Mark Williams) and Molly (Julie Walters) Weasley, who set an excellent precedent as role models for their children. Arthur Weasley was a firm believer in magical and Muggle equality, demonstrated by his curious fascination with non-magical technology and culture. One of his most memorable creations was the Flying Ford Anglia, an enchanted flying car that was used multiple times to save Harry Potter’s life. Arthur notably worked for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office in the Ministry of Magic for several years before the onset of the Second Wizarding War.

Molly was the kind, doting, and powerful matriarch of the Weasley family. She and Arthur had a total of seven children together, whom they raised with great affection. Molly was caring and protective of all her children, fiercely proud of their accomplishments while holding them accountable for their behavior. She was as quick to give a hug as she was to send a Howler to one of her kids. But even such a large household didn’t deplete her motherly energies, as she swiftly welcomed Harry into their family as well. However, don’t let her doting personality convey a misconception about weakness, as Molly was a formidable witch capable of holding her own, as shown in her defeat of Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Bill Weasley

Played by Domhnall Gleeson

The eldest child of the Weasley clan was Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson), who set a remarkably high standard for all his younger siblings. A Gryffindor, like all the rest, he excelled during his time at Hogwarts and earned recognition as Head Boy. After graduation, he started working for Gringotts Bank as a renowned Curse-Breaker, a dangerous and complicated job reserved for highly talented wizards. Bill returns to England to join the reestablished Order of the Phoenix, but unfortunately is attacked by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback (Dave Legeno) in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower. Undeterred by his injuries, he nonetheless went on to marry Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy), a former Triwizard Tournament champion and member of the Order of the Phoenix. Their marriage was interrupted by Death Eaters after they had taken over the Ministry of Magic, but he and his new wife escaped and later provided refuge for Harry and his friends.

Charlie Weasley

Played by Alex Crockford (Uncredited)

Charlie (Alex Crockford) was the next brother in line, though he essentially only made a cameo in the films. The only on-screen appearance of Charlie was in the picture of the Weasley family on their trip to Egypt in The Prisoner of Azkaban. However, despite the practically nonexistent screen time, his presence is still acknowledged throughout the films. After graduating from Hogwarts, Charlie became a dragon researcher, traveling internationally to places like Romania, to study the magical beasts.

Percy Weasley

Played by Chris Rankin

When Harry is first introduced to the Weasleys and the Wizarding World, it’s Percy Weasley (Chris Rankin) who is the eldest sibling still attending Hogwarts. A rule-stickler who could be the foil to his younger siblings’ antics, Percy was a prefect and later Head Boy during his time at school. His responsibilities included teaching first-years how to enter the common room, as well as monitoring their behavior throughout the school year.

Despite his academic and professional achievements, Percy was involved in the most inner conflict within the Weasleys. He became estranged from his family due to his commitment to the Ministry of Magic, in particular the Minister, who deeply mistrusted Albus Dumbledore and even denied the return of Voldemort. Percy eventually seeks reconciliation with his family, and he returns to Hogwarts to fight alongside them during the final battle and reconnect with his siblings.

Fred and George Weasley

Played by James and Oliver Phelps

The next siblings were a pair of twins: Fred and George (James and Oliver Phelps). The two were the trouble-making duo of the family that brought light and levity everywhere they went, but also became somber reminders of the horrors of war. Because they were identical, they often got mistaken for one another or grouped together. However, they were not perfectly the same, as Fred was more outgoing than his slightly more reserved younger twin. The twins ended up being older brother figures to Harry as well, as they played the Beater positions on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and even gave him the iconic Marauder’s Map. Though the two brothers weren’t as academically gifted as their older siblings, they nonetheless had incredible magical talent. In their final year, they decided to forego graduating and instead went out in a spectacular flourish as they set magical fireworks throughout the castle in protest against the vile Professor Umbridge.

Fred and George became entrepreneurs and founded the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a magical joke shop in Diagon Alley. The shop was immensely successful, even remaining open as a beacon of hope during the Second Wizarding War. However, the battle against Voldemort saw the Weasley family suffer immense losses, as George lost an ear to a wayward curse and Fred was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Ginny Weasley

Played by Bonnie Wright

The youngest Weasley was also the only daughter that Molly and Arthur had. Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) was first seen as a shy young girl who had a crush on Harry Potter. Her first year at Hogwarts was marred with mystery and manipulation, as Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) smuggled Tom Riddle’s diary into her belongings, leading to her possession and reopening of the Chamber of Secrets. Though the film version of Ginny never received as much spotlight as her book counterpart, she would eventually grow and demonstrate a fierce independence and abundance of talents. She became a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, was selected to join the Slug Club, and even led Dumbledore’s Army alongside Luna (Evanna Lynch) and Neville (Matthew Lewis) after the founding trio left Hogwarts.

Famous Wizards and Witches Married into the Family

The Weasley family were a desirable bunch, as evidenced by the prominent witches and wizards that married into the family. The major names include Harry Potter himself, who married his Hogwarts sweetheart Ginny, and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), who wed longtime friend Ron. Fleur Delacour, who married Bill, was not only the charming Triwizard champion for Beauxbatons Academy but was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. George ended up marrying former Quidditch teammate Angelina Johnson (Tiana Benjamin), and the two would name their son after his late brother.

There’s Another Generation of Weasleys at Hogwarts

The books expand on the decades following Voldemort’s defeat, showing that there’s a whole slew of new Weasleys attending Hogwarts. The next generation of students included Rose and Hugo (played by Helena Barlow and Ryan Turner), the children of Ron and Hermione, as well as James (Will Dunn), Albus (Arthur Bowen), and Lily (Daphne de Beistegui), the children of Harry and Ginny. Bill, Percy, and George also had at least a couple of children each, continuously expanding one of the already largest family trees in the Wizarding World.

There's an abundance of Weasley family members in the Harry Potter series, and that's one of the greatest boons of the franchise. The family is full of unique and endearing characters, all of whom feel wholly distinct from one another in addition to their shared traits, values, and loyalties. Ask someone who their favorite Harry Potter character is, and the odds are good that they might be a Weasley.