Jaxon Knopf will be heard starring as Harry Potter in books four to seven of Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions for Audible, which will start releasing early this year, and he works with a cast including Rhys Mulligan and Nina Barker-Francis. In the animated series Ricky Zoom, Jaxon took over the role of Ricky Zoom for Series 2, and he has also worked on stage, most recently in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium. Before To Kill a Mockingbird was cancelled late in rehearsals, Jaxon had been cast in the role of Jem for their UK Tour, and he played The Boy in Big Fish the Musical at The Other Palace, where he performed alongside Kelsey Grammer and Jamie Muscato, and whilst in the cast, he was part of the Royal Variety Performance in 2017. Catching up with Jaxon, he talked to us about starring as Harry Potter in Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions for Audible, taking over the role of Ricky Zoom in the animated series Ricky Zoom and his time as The Boy in Big Fish the Musical.
In books four to seven of Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions for Audible, you voice leading character Harry Potter, how did you prepare for the project and what do you remember from your first day in the recording studio?
To get ready, I spent a lot of time just getting to know Harry again, reading the scripts, thinking about where he is emotionally in those later books, how he relates to everyone else, and what he’s going through. That stuff really matters, especially when you’re telling such a big story just through your voice. I also had to adjust to acting in a studio. You don’t have your face or your body to rely on, so everything has to come through in how you speak, the tone, the breathing, the pacing. I practised things like showing fear, stress, or excitement just vocally. Even something simple like breathing harder can make a moment feel more intense or physical, and Harry goes through so much of that.
The first day in the studio was honestly really nice. It was slower, because it always is when you’re starting out and figuring out the space, getting levels right, and getting over those first day nerves. But everyone was so welcoming and supportive, which made it feel really safe. It was a great way to start.
Had you read the Harry Potter books before booking the role and how did you feel finding out you’d be starring as Harry across the final four audiobooks?
When I was younger I listened to them first, then when I was a bit older I read them for myself. I grew up with Stephen Fry’s audiobooks, usually before bed, so that’s how I fell in love with the series. That was how the world of Harry Potter was built for me. So finding out I’d be playing Harry myself was honestly kind of unreal. It felt like this full-circle moment, going from listening to these stories as a kid to suddenly being inside them. It was exciting, and yeah, a little bit scary, because you really want to do it right, but mostly I was just so happy.
How different did you find Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions to your previous projects and what do you feel you learnt from your time recording?
It was very different. I’d only ever done some voice work for animation, so it was fairly difficult to know what was wanted from me at the start, but I think through the audition process things became much clearer. It really changed how I think about acting, because you realise how much emotion you can communicate without any physicality at all. Being in the studio for long sessions, working through big emotional scenes, was intense but also really energising. It pushed me in a good way and taught me a lot about how to use my voice properly.
What was it like meeting your fellow lead actors Rhys Mulligan and Nina Barker-Francis?
We first met at the chemistry read for the auditions, and straight away there was this really nice energy in the room. You could just feel that something was clicking, the way we were reacting to each other, the way the scenes felt. Most of the time when we were recording though, I was actually on my own in the booth with a reader. We only had a couple of days where we recorded together. But because they’re both so good, it was easy to imagine what they were bringing to the scenes. The readers were also brilliant, so it never felt difficult to really give it some.
In October, you attended the launch event for the Audible series in London, how was this?
It was really special. It was the first time I’d actually heard proper finished clips from the audiobooks, and that made it all feel real. After working on something for so long, hearing it properly is a bit surreal. The whole event was really immersive, there were themed rooms and little magical touches everywhere. My favourite was the Sorting Hat room, where you went in under a cloak, put headphones on, and heard Harry talking to the Sorting Hat about which house he would be in, in spatial audio. It was such a cool way to experience it.
We understand you took over the role of Ricky Zoom in the children’s animated series Ricky Zoom, what was it like joining the show in Series 2 and how was it getting into character as Ricky?
Ricky was just pure fun. He’s this little red motorbike who loves saving the day, has his sister, his friends, and gets into all these silly adventures. To play him, you just had to let go and not be embarrassed. You can’t overthink it, it’s all about being playful and free. You get to turn up, make noises, be silly, and be heroic at the same time. I loved that.
How did you find the experience performing in the West End cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2019 at The London Palladium?
I love musical theatre, and being in the West End is something I’ve always dreamed of doing properly as I get older. Performing at the Palladium was honestly amazing, it’s such a huge, historic theatre. The cast were lovely, and I made so many friends, especially in the young cast. And hearing the audience react every night, the applause, the energy, it just gives you such a rush. That’s one of the things I love most about being on stage.
Before the UK Tour of To Kill a Mockingbird was unfortunately cancelled late into rehearsals, you were due to play Jem; how had it been rehearsing for the show?
That was actually my first straight play, so it was a really new experience for me. I was used to musicals, so this felt different, but in a really good way. At the time, I was quite young, so I didn’t fully understand how deep the story was. Looking back now, I realise how powerful it is, which makes it feel even more special that I was going to be part of it. The cast were really kind and supportive, which made the whole experience really nice.
What are some of your favourite memories from playing The Boy in Big Fish the Musical at The Other Palace and how was it performing alongside Kelsey Grammer and the rest of the cast at the Royal Variety Performance in 2017?
Big Fish was the show that really made me fall in love with musical theatre. It was my first proper musical, and being around people like Jamie Muscato, who I really looked up to, had a big impact on me. The show was so imaginative and playful. I remember silly moments like walking on stage in flippers with Kelsey Grammer pretending we were going to see a mermaid, and learning my first big dance number. It was stressful but so fun.
Doing the Royal Variety Performance was also surreal. I met Prince William and Princess Kate and had absolutely no idea what was going on, I was just a kid having the best time.
What do you enjoy most about training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and how is your time as a student going so far?
I love the balance. You do your academic work in the morning, then you get to sing, dance, and act for the rest of the day. It’s intense, but it’s really rewarding. The teachers genuinely care about what you want to do, and the path that would be most beneficial for you, which makes a huge difference. I’m in Lower Sixth now, doing my A-Levels alongside the musical theatre course, and we’re doing Oklahoma! as our show this year, which I’m really loving.
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
It started really casually, just weekend drama classes to keep me busy when I was little. At first it was just something fun to do. But once I started doing LAMDA, ballet, and auditioning for shows, it slowly turned into something more serious. I wasn’t amazing when I was little, my rhythm was awful and I couldn’t really sing, but between about seven and 11, it all started to click. That’s when I realised this was what I wanted to do.
What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
I love films like Donnie Darko, The Iron Claw, and Into the Wild. They’re all very different but really emotional and thoughtful. But honestly, those are the ones that come off the top of my head.
How I Met Your Mother is my comfort show, I rewatch it all the time.
In theatre, I love loads of musicals. Recently I saw Cabaret, which was incredible. I also loved Kiss Me, Kate and Crazy For You. I’m really into that golden-age musical style. Two of the plays that I’ve enjoyed recently would be Dealer’s Choice and The Line of Beauty, both of which really stuck with me.
How do you like to spend your time away from performing?
I’m really into fashion and figuring out my own style. I’ve started writing poetry recently, which I love, listening to music, watching all the films and TV I possibly can. I hang out with my friends, go to the gym, try to stay active, and I’m interested in filmmaking as well. Film Studies is also one of my A-Levels, and I really enjoy it because it’s another way to be creative.
What are you hoping 2026 brings you and do you have any projects apart from Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions coming up that you can tell us about?
I don’t have anything lined up yet, but I’m really excited for the Harry Potter audiobooks to come out. Hearing the final versions and knowing people are finally getting to experience them will be really special.
Mostly, I just want to keep learning, keep training, and see where things go, staying open to whatever comes next while still aiming high.
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