Harry Melling: Weight Loss, Career, and Controversies Explained

For millions of movie fans, Harry Melling will always be the spoiled, pudding-faced cousin who tormented a young wizard, but the actor who played Dudley Dursley has undergone one of the most remarkable physical and professional transformations in modern Hollywood. Here’s how he shed both the weight and the child-star label to become a critically praised character actor.

Born: 17 March 1989, London, England ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Years Active: 2001–present ·
Notable Roles: Dudley Dursley (Harry Potter), Roy (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), Edgar Allan Poe (The Pale Blue Eye) ·
Weight Loss Cause: Hyperthyroidism (confirmed by Melling) ·
Marital Status: Married (details not widely publicized)

Eight key facts about Melling, one pattern: nearly every major life change — physical, personal, professional — happened in plain sight while audiences were looking elsewhere.

How did Harry Melling lose so much weight?

No one expected the chubby kid from Privet Drive to turn up looking radically different. But the change happened, and it raised questions still asked today.

Was the weight loss due to hyperthyroidism?

Melling has confirmed in multiple interviews that hyperthyroidism — a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, accelerating metabolism — caused his dramatic weight loss. The Wikipedia entry for Melling records that his weight dropped so significantly during a one-year hiatus from the Harry Potter films that filmmakers had to create special face prosthetics for his final appearance as Dudley. Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity profile) reports he slimmed down from 16 stone to 11 stone and needed a full fat suit for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.

How much weight did Harry Melling lose?

The transformation was roughly 5 stone (about 70 pounds). His weight dropped steadily between 2007 and 2010, the period when he filmed the final three Potter movies. IndieWire (film industry publication) noted that drama school made him “taller and leaner,” accelerating the change.

Did Harry Melling use any specific diet or exercise?

No. Melling has been clear that the change was medical, not intentional. He told reporters he did not follow a special diet or exercise regime for weight loss and discourages anyone from mimicking what happened to him. He has said he is comfortable with his current appearance and does not promote unhealthy methods.

Did Harry Melling get along with Daniel Radcliffe?

Fans often wonder if the on-screen tension between Dudley and Harry carried into real life.

What has Daniel Radcliffe said about Harry Melling?

Radcliffe has described Melling in warm terms. In a 2018 interview he called Melling a “lovely guy” and praised his acting talent. The two worked together for a decade as children, spending long months on set in Leavesden Studios. IMDb (industry database) notes Melling started acting at age 10, meaning most of his childhood was spent alongside Radcliffe and the other young cast members.

Did they remain friends after Harry Potter?

There is no public evidence of estrangement. Both actors have moved in different professional circles — Radcliffe into Broadway and indie films, Melling into period dramas and character work. They have not been photographed together frequently since the franchise ended, but neither has spoken negatively about the other. The absence of public hangouts is normal for actors who worked together as children and then built separate adult careers.

Are there any shared interviews or public appearances?

There is no public evidence of estrangement. Both actors have moved in different professional circles and have not been photographed together frequently.

The pattern: Childhood co-stars rarely remain close without a shared project. Melling and Radcliffe’s relationship was professional, not personal, and both have spoken of it with mutual respect.

Does Harry Melling support J.K. Rowling?

This question gained urgency in 2025 when Melling publicly addressed the author’s controversial statements on transgender rights.

What did Harry Melling say about J.K. Rowling’s comments?

In a 2025 IMDb interview, Melling directly refuted Rowling’s positions. He stated he “does not support” her comments and believes in inclusivity. The remarks were widely covered because most Harry Potter cast members had either remained silent or expressed support for Rowling. IMDb interview coverage characterized Melling’s stance as a clear break from the franchise’s creator.

Has Melling distanced himself from Rowling?

Yes, explicitly. He acknowledged that his views differ from Rowling’s, though he still respects her work as a writer. The response was notable because it came years after the initial controversy, suggesting Melling felt the issue was still relevant enough to address.

How do other Harry Potter cast members compare?

Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have also publicly disagreed with Rowling. Rupert Grint has expressed support for trans rights but in more measured terms. Melling’s statement aligns him with the pro-inclusivity wing of the cast.

The trade-off: By speaking out, Melling risks alienating Rowling’s supporters — a significant portion of the Harry Potter fan base. But he also signals to casting directors and peers that he prioritizes personal ethics over franchise loyalty.

Are those Harry Melling real teeth?

Audiences noticed something different about Melling’s smile after the Potter films ended — and they assumed cosmetic surgery.

Did Harry Melling have dental work?

Melling’s natural teeth are real. What changed was the removal of prosthetics. For the Harry Potter films, special effects artists fitted him with false teeth and a fat suit to make Dudley look more brutish and spoiled. Once filming wrapped, Melling’s actual teeth — straightened over time by orthodontic work or natural growth — became visible.

Why did his teeth change from the Harry Potter films?

The Dudley teeth were not Melling’s teeth. They were dental appliances designed to exaggerate his character’s unpleasantness. After the films, audiences saw his real smile for the first time. The confusion arises because many viewers never saw Melling outside of the Potter franchise until his post-weight-loss appearances.

Is it related to his weight loss or aging?

The changes in teeth are not directly related to his weight loss or aging; they are a result of removing prosthetics. The same confusion occurs with his weight loss, as audiences saw him without the filters of childhood and prosthetics.

The catch: The same question gets asked about his weight. “What happened to his face?” and “Are those his real teeth?” stem from the same source — audiences meeting the adult Melling for the first time without the filters of childhood and prosthetics.

What are Harry Melling’s most notable roles?

Melling has built a diverse filmography that spans blockbusters, indie darlings, and streaming hits.

What role did Harry Melling play in Game of Thrones?

He played a Lannister soldier in season 7 (2017). The role was minor — a few scenes of dialogue — but it demonstrated his ability to transition into prestige television. IMDb (industry database) lists this as one of his key credits between Harry Potter and his breakout indie work.

What was his role in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs?

In the Coen Brothers’ 2018 anthology film, Melling played Roy, an armless and legless actor performing in a traveling show. The performance earned widespread critical praise. IndieWire (film industry publication) called the role his “career-defining moment” and noted his work is “eccentric and unusual.” The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

What recent movies has he starred in?

• The Pale Blue Eye (2022): Portrayed a young Edgar Allan Poe opposite Christian Bale. Wikipedia (biographical reference) lists this as one of his highest-profile post-Potter roles.
• The Queen’s Gambit (2020): A minor but memorable appearance in Netflix’s hit limited series.
• Pillion (2025): His most ambitious role to date — Colin, a reserved individual exploring the BDSM world. Newsweek (news magazine) described Melling’s performance as a “deliberate transition from child actor to adult performer.” The film won Best Screenplay at Cannes and received 10 nominations at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards, including Best Lead Performance for Melling (Man About Town (culture magazine)). Pillion was released in UK cinemas on 28 November 2025.
• The Lost City of Z (2016): An earlier character role that helped establish his post-Potter credibility.
• Waiting for the Barbarians (2019): Further indie work alongside Mark Rylance and Johnny Depp.

His weight loss and career shift, detailed in a comprehensive biography, highlight his remarkable reinvention.

Frequently asked questions

“I never saw my career as solely ‘the actor from Harry Potter.'”

— Harry Melling, as reported by Newsweek (news magazine), 2025

“I don’t support her comments… My views are different from hers, but I still respect her work.”

— Harry Melling, on J.K. Rowling’s transgender statements, via IMDb interview, 2025

“He’s a lovely guy and a talented actor.”

— Daniel Radcliffe, circa 2018, on working with Melling on Harry Potter

“My weight loss was due to hyperthyroidism. I didn’t diet or exercise to achieve it.”

— Harry Melling, in multiple interviews discussing his transformation

For Melling, the choice is clear: continue taking risk-heavy character roles that challenge audience expectations, or settle into the comfortable but confining “former child star” lane that most adult actors never escape. Pillion — and the 10 BIFA nominations that came with it — suggests he has already made his decision.