Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis' magical transformation from geeky Neville to red carpet hunk

By Daily Mail Reporter


Hasn't he grown into a handsome young man: Matthew Lewis at the New York premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 on Monday


Ten years ago, Matthew Lewis was cast as the bumbling, plump Hogwarts student Neville Longbottom.

But after going through an awkward teenage phase through the Harry Potter films, the actor has really grown up into a handsome young man.

Looking back at the first Harry Potter film in 2001, it's unlikely fans would have predicted clumsy Neville would turn out to be the franchise's heart-throb.

Awkward youth: Lewis as Neville in the first Potter film in 2001 (left) and at the 2005 premiere of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire in 2005 (right)


But attending premieres and junkets to promote the last movie Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II, fans have been amazed by his transformation.

Looking every inch the Hollywood hunk in his smart black suit at the New York premiere last week, the Yorkshireman looked a far cry from the plump schoolboy with the crooked teeth in the first film.

To play Hogwarts' student Neville in the eight films, Lewis wore yellow false teeth, shoes two sizes too big and wore prosthetics behind his ears to make them stick out more.

Throughout JK Rowling's books and film adaptations, Neville was a subject of ridicule by school villain Draco Malfoy and his cronies.

Dapper: Lewis joined co-star Tom Felton at the New York premiere after-party

Centre of attention: Lewis looked like he was enjoying meeting the fans at the Toronto premiere of Harry Potter on Tuesday


As Potter fans will know, Neville ends up turning quite heroic in the final and ends up surrounded by admirers - catching the attention of Luna Lovegood.

In a recent interview, Lewis admitted he found Luna - and girls in general - more scary than the evil Voldemort.

He told SheKnows.com: 'Neville and Luna are both outcasts when they’re younger. It was endearing for two inspiring characters. Both come from humble beginnings, people think that they’ll never amount to anything and yet they both do.

'But, Luna is a lot more scary than Voldemort, I think [laughs]. Girls in general are scarier than Voldemort. It might have been the next challenge for Neville.'

Good looking pair: Lewis and his girlfriend Shinead Husband at the World Premiere of Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Trafalgar Square


In a recent interview, he admitted when he auditioned for Potter a decade ago, he was hoping to just have a walk-on, background role and never imagined he would end up as Neville.

Reflecting on his character's journey, he said: 'Jo Rowling did such a beautiful thing with the character to have him come from a shy, bumbling little boy that was bullied and terrified of his shadow to make him into this hero, this saviour of the wizarding world.

'It's so inspiring. I'm so proud and humble to be allowed to play that for so long.'

But filming wasn't all fun for the actor - he ended up with a ruptured eardrum after Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) accidentally stuck her wand in his ear.


The gang's all here: Lewis joins co-stars (L-R) Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint at the New York premiere on Monday


source:dailymail