Harry Melling: From Dudley Dursley to BDSM Leading Man in 'Pillion'

A Character Actor's Rise

Harry Melling, at just 36, has already carved a path that most actors only dream of. Known initially as the pudgy, bullying cousin Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise, Melling has morphed into one of the most versatile character actors of his generation. As documented in Screenshot (550).png, his journey is a masterclass in reinvention.

After shedding the fat suit required for the last two Potter films—thanks to a growth spurt at LAMDA—Melling landed a role that would define his career: The Artist in the Coen brothers' The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. In that film, he played a Shakespeare-spouting man with no arms and legs, confined to a chair. "Getting validation from Joel and Ethan was a huge moment for me as an actor," Melling recalled in an interview. "They gave me free rein, which was lovely." That performance opened doors, connecting him with directors who appreciate eccentric, unusual work.

From Potter to Leading Man

Melling's transformation from child star to respected actor has been gradual but deliberate. He defines himself as a character actor—always interested in the nuances of human behavior. "All actors are characters. Christian Bale describes himself as a character actor. People who are interested in the nuances and the details of human beings and how they operate is always going to be my true north," he said. His roles in The Queen's Gambit (as Harry Beltik, Anya Taylor-Joy's first romantic interest) and The Pale Blue Eye (as a young Edgar Allan Poe) showcased his range.

In Wolf Hall Season 2, Melling took on Thomas Wriothesley, a lawyer working for Thomas Cromwell. He noted the challenge of period costume and language, but found that the scenes felt remarkably real: "You just have to play the scene for what it is."

The BDSM Comedy That Bites Back

Now, Melling stars in Pillion, a BAFTA-contending BDSM relationship comedy from first-time British director Harry Lighton. Opposite Alexander Skarsgård, Melling plays Colin, a submissive learning the ropes in a dominant-submissive dynamic. Ray (Skarsgård) makes Colin wear a dog collar, sleep on the rug, and handle all household chores. The humor stems from Colin's constant second-guessing: "Oh, what do I do now? What does Ray want now?"

Melling emphasized that the sex scenes are part of a love story. "The reason why I was so excited about the sex was because I felt that it was held in some kind of love story," he said. "That's what people hook into when watching those intimate scenes." The actors didn't rehearse beforehand; their first scene was a wrestling move called the "Mexican Surfboard Move." Melling called Skarsgård a "dream scene partner" who was "not going to be shy in any way."

What's Next for Melling?

Melling's upcoming projects include Stuffed, a gothic horror musical by Theo Rhys, starring Jodie Comer. He plays a man threatened by a taxidermist who falls in love with her subject. "I can hold a tune," Melling said. "I loved the challenge of it."

Melling's philosophy on his career is clear: "Rather than fighting it, I want to challenge it and use it, and hopefully have as mature a career as is possible." With Pillion hitting theaters on February 6 via A24, audiences will see a Harry Melling they've never seen before—a leading man who still cherishes the character actor's craft.

Key Highlights

• Breakout role: The Artist in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Coen brothers)
• Notable roles: Harry Beltik in The Queen’s Gambit, Edgar Allan Poe in The Pale Blue Eye, Thomas Wriothesley in Wolf Hall Season 2
• New film: Pillion – a BDSM comedy with Alexander Skarsgård, releasing February 6
• Upcoming: Stuffed – a gothic horror musical with Jodie Comer

Melling's journey from child star to character actor to leading man is proof that the most interesting careers are built on risk and transformation. As Screenshot (550).png notes, he always wanted to be a character actor—but now, he's about to be a leading man. And the world is watching.

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