Devon Murray
Irish Sunday Mirror - January 2005
Life has been a fairytale come true for Dublin-born Harry Potter star Devon Murray.
At only 16 years of age, he has already enjoyed huge success in the world of films - most notably with his role as Seamus Finnegan in the screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books.
But when asked what his hopes hold for the future it's not to become Hollywood's next Colin Farrell.
Instead his dream is to win a show jumping gold medal at the 2012 Olympics - and with Ireland's recent gold medallist Cian O'Connor as his coach, it might not be an altogether impractical ambition.
Devon said, "I really want to keep up acting but horses are my real passion. In fact, my ideal role would be in some kind of horsey film - that way I'd have the best of both worlds. If they ever made Shergar again I'd do anything to star in it.
"At home I've six horses and one foal and they're the first things I want to see when I get home - after my family of course." Sitting in the plush Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood in London, Devon's manner belies his age.
Despite his mere 16 years he exudes the confidence and charisma of someone twice that - but he said: "There's no way I'd ever think above my station. Firstly my mum would knock me down again but secondly it's just not a nice way to be.
"I've just been very lucky in getting to do what I do."
From the age of three it was obvious Devon was destined for great things. Born in Co. Dublin as an only child to parents Michael and Fidelma Murray, Devon's constant singing, dancing and performing antics encouraged them to send him to Billie Barry who honed talents such as Samantha Mumba and Brian McFadden.
Within two weeks of his enrolment Devon landed a Tesco television ad and within six months of that he appeared in his first movie - acting alongside Aidan Quinn in "This Is My Father".
He then joined the National Performing Arts School before making his breakthrough in Angela's Ashes and acting with Jane Seymour in the TV show, Yesterday's Children.
Devon thinks being an only child had a lot to do with his success. He said: "I've always been quite confident but I think that comes with having to speak up as a child."
"Everything kind of took off when I went for an open audition for Angela's Ashes in 1997 and got it. The manager who cast me for that approached me about playing a part in Harry Potter and it's been mad ever since." Looking back on his first Harry Potter film he said: "We were all terribly nervous.
"I remember seeing Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane and was completely overwhelmed - but now it's really normal. Every time we resume filming it's like a big family reunion."
He also spoke of his greatest "Potter" moment: "My proudest moment was when JK Rowling came over, hugged me and told me I was perfect for the part. For the creator of the character to believe I truly encapsulated what she was trying to achieve was better than anything anyone could have said. I was gobsmacked but absolutely thrilled at the same time."
On average, Devon spends about seven to nine months of the year filming each Harry Potter adaptation - but he still finds the premiere of each film magical: "There are so many magical and imaginary elements within every scene it's fantastic for us to see it all come together on the big screen."
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