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Harry Melling grew up in the spotlight thanks to the 'Harry Potter' films, but his relationship with that early fame has always been complicated.
The actor, now 36, recently reflected on his career in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He was just 10 years old when he was cast as Dudley Dursley, Harry Potter's unpleasant cousin, and went on to appear in five films between 2001 and 2010. While the role brought him worldwide recognition, Melling has spent much of his adult life trying not to be defined by it.
Harry Melling on Career Choices
When told that his career choices are hard to categorise, Melling said that was the best compliment he could receive. He explained that he prefers audiences to approach his work without any expectations of who he is, so that they can focus entirely on the character. Being part of such a massive franchise at a young age made that difficult, as people still associate him with Dudley years later.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
Harry Melling has previously joked that he spent much of his life running away from 'Harry Potter,' and he clarified that he never saw the franchise as a final goal. Even as a child, he was aware that being locked into the image of a child actor could limit future opportunities. That awareness pushed him to keep moving forward and explore different paths rather than settle into one identity.
Harry Melling on Fame And Child Acting
Harry Melling also shared that child acting can carry an unfair stigma, something he wanted to avoid. Instead of falling in love with the fame of 'Harry Potter,' he became fascinated with the idea of being many different things as an actor. That belief shaped his desire to experiment across genres, formats, and countries.
While working on 'Harry Potter,' Melling was especially drawn to theatre and admired the many seasoned stage actors in the cast. He hoped to follow a similar path and build a broad, varied career. Above all, he never wanted his most defining work to be something he did at age 10.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
Since leaving the wizarding world, Melling has built an eclectic résumé, with roles in 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,' 'The Queen's Gambit,' and 'The Pale Blue Eye,' where he played a young Edgar Allan Poe. He now stars opposite Alexander Skarsgård in 'Pillion,' a queer comedy set in the BDSM world, which is set for U.S. release in February 2026.
Meanwhile, the 'Harry Potter' universe continues to expand, with a new TV series in production and a new actor stepping into the role of Dudley.
