Chris Rankin

Christopher William Rankin was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 8, 1983. He lived in New Zealand until the age of six before moving to England with his parents. His passion for acting began at age 11 at Northgate High School in Norfolk, where he was an active member of the Youth Theatre Company of Dereham Operatic Society. During his school years, Chris participated in numerous productions, including “Bugsy Malone,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and took on lead roles such as Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” His early theatrical experience laid the groundwork for his future career in performance. In addition to acting, he also showcased his talents in plays like “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” as Edmund and played various chorus roles.

Rankin’s professional acting career commenced in August 2000 when he secured the role of Percy Weasley in the highly anticipated “Harry Potter” film series, a role that brought him international recognition. This marked his transition into professional on-camera acting. Post-“Harry Potter,” Chris made his professional stage debut in “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Norwich Theatre Royal. He consistently balanced film, television, and stage work, demonstrating his versatility. In 2004, he co-founded Painted Horse Theatre Company with Director Jim Rymer, starring as Eilert Loevborg in their inaugural production of ‘Hedda Gabler’ and later working on ‘Salome,’ which toured East Anglia in 2005. His television drama debut was as Waring in “The Rotter’s Club,” a 3-part drama produced for the BBC. His career progression also included production coordination for television series such as “Atlantis” (2013-2015) and “Downton Abbey” (2015), showcasing his capabilities both in front of and behind the camera. He further expanded his repertoire by directing short films, including “Dad” in 2018 for It’s My Shout.

Chris Rankin further broadened his acting experience with roles in various projects. He appeared in the TV Mini Series “When It Rains” (2020) as a Therapist and played the Fairy Godfather in the TV Movie “Cinderella Live” (2020). He lent his voice to podcast series “Torchwood: Believe” (2018) as Val’s Assistant and “Iris Wildthyme” (2015) as Andy and Jack. In 2016, he portrayed Mycroft in “The Hillywood Show,” a comedic web series. His theatrical work continued with diverse roles in pantomimes across the UK, Edgar Linton in “Wuthering Heights,” and Alderman Fitzwarren in “Dick Whittington” (2024). He pursued further education, completing his studies at the University of Lincoln in 2011. Notably, after his success in “Harry Potter,” he also gained experience in unique roles such as working in kitchens and a bar, reflecting a grounded approach to his career and life experiences.