Tragic death of teenage Harry Potter star Rob Knox explored in new documentary

The tragic death of Harry Potter star Rob Knox is being explored in a 'highly emotional' documentary coming to ITVX this week.

Watch the trailer here:

The actor, who played the role of Marcus Belby in the hugely popular franchise, was just 18 years old when he died protecting his younger brother in a bar brawl in Sidcup, south-east London, in May 2008.

Karl Bishop, who was aged 22 at the time, was found guilty of stabbing Knox five times as he defended his 17-year-old sibling, and was later found guilty of murder in March 2009.

PA/Family handout

Bishop was handed a life term with a minimum sentence of 20 years before parole is considered, with Mr Justice Bean, sentencing, telling him that he was a highly dangerous man.

"I do not think it is proved that you intended to kill Robert Knox," Bean said.

"The truth is that you simply could not care less whether you killed him or not.

"Your lack of regret let alone remorse was truly chilling."

Warner Bros

Award-winning documentary (K)Nox: The Rob Knox Story, which will be available to watch on ITVX from Thursday 23 February, sees Knox's family, friends and Harry Potter cast members - including Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone, Tom Felton, David Yates, Dani Harmer and Blake Harrison - take a look at the young actor's life in the lead up to his untimely death.

The film, which was previously named Best Feature Documentary at the 2021 London Independent Film Festival, also aims to highlight how, years on from his death, knife crime remains a 'prolific issue across the UK' and globally.

A synopsis from Q Cumber Films reads: "18-year-old Rob Knox is out celebrating his big break in Harry Potter when he learns that his little brother has been threatened at knife point. He and his friends rush to disarm the man but during the struggle, Rob is stabbed several times and is killed.

"Now his family must try to navigate their grief and anger while under the ever-watchful eye of the invasive British media machine. Meanwhile, more young people than ever are losing their lives on the streets. Something has to be done."

Q Cumber Films/ITVX

Knox had his first credited role in ITV police drama The Bill, and also appeared in Channel 4 reality shot Trust Me, I'm A Teenager, and BBC comedy After You're Gone.

However, his big break came when he took on the role of Marcus Belby in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - in which he appeared posthumously when it was released in 2009.

While his character does not appear in the seventh novel, Knox had signed up to reprise his turn as Belby in the final instalment of the film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Watch (K)Nox: The Rob Knox Story on ITVX from Thursday 23 February.