‘Harry Potter’ Star Matthew Lewis Discusses Child Star Pressures

In a brand new candid interview, “Harry Potter” actor Matthew Lewis, recognized to tens of millions as Neville Longbottom, opened up about his experiences engaged on one in every of cinema’s hottest movie franchises.

Wanting again on his early days within the highlight, Lewis dished on the tight-knit vibe on the “Harry Potter” set — one thing he says saved him and his co-stars from falling into the identical traps which have tripped up so many youngster stars.

The “Harry Potter” movies, which dominated a decade of manufacturing, launched Matthew Lewis and his younger co-stars into instantaneous fame—a highlight that might have been overwhelming in several circumstances.

In keeping with Lewis, now 34, the “Potter” set was a protected haven for its younger solid. “We’re superb at hiding all of these tales,” he joked, per PEOPLE Magazine, earlier than he severely famous that “it was difficult” as his technology navigated the transition from youngster star to being an grownup in Hollywood.

Lewis added that there “was completely a number of trepidation” about whether or not he “was going to have the ability to hack it in that bigger pool.”

“Though, that stated, I used to be very excited concerning the prospect. I’ve fairly a brief consideration span, in order that’s most likely why I’ve by no means chosen an actual profession,” he continued. “[After] 10 years in ‘Harry Potter,’ I used to be able to do one thing else and in addition was not eager to do something that was going to result in a number of collection.”

The “Harry Potter” actor added that, whereas it was “fantastic” and “plenty of enjoyable” working along with his solid, there have been additionally “a number of the fears that we had have been all shared, and the factor probably not of anymore for anybody else on the planet won’t ever be capable of perceive actually what we went by means of and the way it affected our private lives besides one another.”

“It is one of many issues that I’ve carried with me is these friendships,” he added. “I do not return and skim the books. One of many solely issues that I nonetheless type of maintain onto is these relationships that we cast all through these movies.”

Following his time at Wizarding faculty, Lewis stated he “had no thought what was subsequent” and “wasn’t ready in any respect” for what was to return. Nonetheless, he particularly gave a shout-out to the “friendships” he constructed along with his fellow younger “Harry Potter” solid mates, saying these bonds performed an enormous position in protecting everybody grounded by means of the chaos.

“One of many questions that was requested earlier concerning the pitfalls of being a baby actor that we appear to have prevented, I’d posit that a big diploma of that was as a result of we have been all there collectively,” Lewis stated throughout a solo panel at Rhode Island Comedian Con on Sunday, November 3.

“Regularly, you hear many tales of how they have been the only actor in that film and having to hold that film on their very own and the entire pressures and anxieties that include that,” he admitted. “Whereas, we have been all type collectively.”

In April 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed plans to reboot the “Harry Potter” collection as a tv adaptation for MAX, with a focused premiere in 2026. Matthew Lewis beforehand advised PEOPLE he’s “not in any rush to return to the world.”

“It is not one thing I am taking a look at or need to do however wouldn’t flip my nostril up at,” he added. “I would be very to see if it was Neville as an grownup — an entire totally different vibe. That might be fascinating. I would definitely take a look at that and take into account it.”

Mark Mylod, recognized for his work on “Succession,” will direct a number of episodes of the upcoming Harry Potter tv collection and function an govt producer, per Deadline.

Within the current docuseries “Quiet On Set: The Darkish Facet of Youngsters TV,” former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell opened up about alleged sexual abuse by his former vocal coach, Brian Peck, throughout his time on the community.

Different stars who’ve spoken out embody Ariana Grande, Lori Beth Denberg, Alexa Nikolas, Matthew Underwood, and Angelique Bates.