Why Harry Melling's Experience Of Working On The Harry Potter Franchise Was 'Unique'
James Bradley
Published Aug 06, 2026
Even though the actor had to don a fat suit as the "Harry Potter" movies progressed due to his gradual real-life weight loss (via NME), it's hard to envision anyone else playing the devilish Dudley Dursley other than Harry Melling. Before he starred in such notable projects as "The Old Guard" and "The Queen's Gambit," the "Harry Potter" franchise was Melling's introduction to the silver screen after having done theater during his childhood. But because the actor worked in the not-so-wizarding world of Harry's Muggle home, his experience in the franchise had some major distinctions.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Melling explained how his work and professional life didn't clash all that much while working on the series. "My experience was unique in terms of I wasn't in it throughout the entire shoot," he said. "The earthly sequences would very much be an isolated filming block. So, I dipped in, and then I went back to school and normal life."
While the real Dudley would probably complain about not being more in the limelight, Melling, who appeared in five of the films up to 2010's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1," has never had a hunger for such a lifestyle. "Sometimes it's nice to just concentrate on the work and what excites you," he concluded.