November 4th 2024.
At just 11 years old, Matthew Lewis became a household name when he landed the role of Neville Longbottom in the highly successful Harry Potter franchise. But as he grew up in the spotlight, the actor revealed that he was not fully prepared for life after the series came to an end.
During a panel at the Rhode Island Comic Con, Lewis spoke about his beloved character and the challenges of transitioning from a child actor to an adult in the industry. He joked that the cast was skilled at hiding any pitfalls they may have faced, but also acknowledged that there was a lot of uncertainty about his future career.
"After 10 years in Harry Potter, I was ready to do something else and also was not keen to do anything that was going to lead to multiple series," he shared. "I had no idea what was next and wasn't prepared at all for the next step in my career."
Despite his initial nerves, Lewis went on to appear in various TV shows and movies, including The Syndicate, Happy Valley, and Terminal. But he also joked that his short attention span may have played a role in his career choices.
"I've avoided a real career because of my attention span," he said with a laugh. "Although, I was very excited about the prospect. I just have quite a short attention span, so that's probably why I've never chosen a real career."
Throughout his post-Potter journey, Lewis has remained loyal to the franchise and its dedicated fanbase. He frequently appears at events and conventions, where he meets with fans and shares stories about his time on set.
When asked about the potential pitfalls of being a child star, Lewis credited the bond he shared with his fellow actors for helping them navigate the pressures of fame.
"I would posit that a large degree of that was because we were all there together," he explained. "We were all in it together. Frequently, you hear many stories of how they were the sole actor in that movie and having to carry that movie on their own and all of the pressures and anxieties that come with that. Whereas, we were all kind of together."
And even now, years after the final Harry Potter film was released, the cast remains close. Lewis reflected on the friendships he formed during his time on set, saying, "It's one of the things that I've carried with me is those friendships. I don't go back and read the books. One of the only things that I still kind of hold onto is those relationships that we forged throughout those films."
It's clear that Lewis has nothing but fond memories of his time in the wizarding world, and he continues to embrace his role as Neville Longbottom, much to the delight of fans. If you have a celebrity story, video, or photos, be sure to reach out to the entertainment team at The Agency.
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