Celebrity Info
Being the grandson of a Time Lord certainly gave Harry Melling a unique edge when it came to stepping into the world of magic and mystery. You see, Harry Melling’s grandfather was none other than Patrick Troughton, who famously portrayed Doctor Who from 1966 to 1969—a legacy that surely added a bit of cosmic charm to young Harry Melling’s early life. With several family members already in the entertainment industry—including uncles and a cousin—it was almost natural that Harry Melling would follow suit. He attended the Sue Nieto Theatre School in North London, where his talent began to shine, eventually catching the eye of the National Youth Theatre.
When he was just 10 years old, Harry Melling’s mother took a leap of faith and sent his photo to the producers working on film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s wildly popular novels, hoping for a small role or two. A year later, much to everyone’s surprise, Harry Melling was called back—not for a minor part, but to audition for one of the most memorable roles: Dudley Dursley, Harry Potter’s spoiled and often-bullying cousin. After landing the part, Harry Melling joined seasoned actors Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw, who played his on-screen parents, Vernon and Petunia.
Harry Melling made his big-screen debut in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and stayed true to the character’s larger-than-life physique, maintaining his weight to reappear in Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, and Order of the Phoenix. However, when the story moved forward and Dudley didn’t appear in the next installment, Harry Melling took the opportunity to slim down—going from 16 to 11 stone. But when Dudley returned briefly in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, poor Harry Melling had to be squeezed back into a fat suit to look the part once more.
Since saying goodbye to Privet Drive, Harry Melling has taken his craft seriously, studying at LAMDA and building an impressive resume across stage and screen. He’s earned acclaim for his theatrical performances while also appearing on television in series like Just William and Garrow’s Law. Notably, Harry Melling even took on the lead role in the 2011 short film Sam, proving that there’s far more to him than just playing the loudmouthed cousin of a boy wizard. From Time Lord lineage to dramatic depth, Harry Melling continues to carve out a name—quite literally—for himself.
So, when it comes to Harry Melling’s career highlights, it seems that his most acclaimed work to date is Pillion (2025), which has definitely stood out as his highest-rated film. Fans and critics alike have responded really well to Harry Melling’s performance in that project, making it a standout moment in his filmography. On the other hand, looking at the lower end of the spectrum, The Pale Blue Eye (2022) ended up receiving more mixed or less enthusiastic reviews, landing it as Harry Melling’s lowest rated movie so far. Still, even in that role, Harry Melling brought depth and nuance, which is something he consistently delivers. Overall, Harry Melling continues to build a diverse and compelling body of work across film and music.
United States
