With fans questioning why Rupert Grint didn't attend the funeral of his beloved Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, he opened up about the effect his tragic passing had on him.
In one of those heartbreaking moments that left many of us in disbelief, 72-year-old Robbie Coltrane OBE's death was sadly confirmed by his agent on 14 October, 2022 - leaving a gaping hole in many fans' screens and hearts.
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Perhaps best known by younger fans for bringing half-giant, half-human gamekeeper of Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid, to life, older fans might remember him in TV's Cracker and James Bond.
His death was confirmed to have been caused by a series of conditions including multiple organ failure, sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection and heart block, according to The Mirror, with diabetes and obesity mentioned on the death certificate.
Starting filming on the iconic series at just 11 years old and winding up at the age of 22, Grint grew up alongside his Harry Potter costars including Alan Rickman, who played Professor Severus Snape, Coltrane and Richard Harris who played Albus Dumbledore in the first two films.
He is said to have considered the star-studded cast his family.
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While grief is private and affects everyone differently, when questioned by Potterheads about his reasons for not attending the funeral, Grint went public in an interview with GQ magazines with his answer.
Coltrane, alongside Rickman and Harris, were like 'uncles or grandparents' to Grint who grew up on the set of the Harry Potter franchise.
"They all had this kind of subconscious presence in my life," Grint told GQ.
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Grint noted the trio 'weren't the kind of people to sit you down and give you a formal talk, or dispense advice,' but that he simply 'loved being around them and observing them'.
The connection between Grint and some of his elder co-stars even extended further than just the franchise too, the actor explaining Rickman came to see him perform in It's Only A Play in 2014 - Grint's Broadway debut.
Coltrane's passing was 'particularly tough' for Grint. "He really was the most wonderful being," Grint reflected.
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While deeply affected by the loss of the actor, Grint noted he doesn't 'claim to know him outside work' which is why he didn't go to Coltrane's funeral.
Instead, Grint paid tribute to Coltrane via Instagram.
He wrote: "Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue - a wonderful combination.
"No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie.
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"Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life - warm, compassionate and hilarious. A giant hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser."
In HBO Max's Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts in celebration of the franchise's 20-year anniversary, Coltrane reflected on the movies coming to an end: "It's the end of an era. Ten years of my life. My children have grown up during it.
"The legacy of the movies is that my children's generation will show them to their children... So you could be watching it in 50 year's time, easily... I'll not be here, sadly... but Hagrid will, yes."
Despite not being here, I'm sure all fans would agree Hagrid will carry Coltrane's memory with him too.
Featured Image Credit: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images/WarnerTopics: Harry Potter, Celebrity, TV and Film