Why Harry Melling's Experience Of Working On The Harry Potter Franchise Was 'Unique'

While Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has his fair share of challenges during his time at Hogwarts, not even Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) worst could compare to the life Harry had before attending the magical school. Not only does Harry receive contempt from his uncle, Vernon (Richard Griffiths), and aunt, Petunia (Fiona Shaw), but he is also picked on by his cousin, Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling).

Perhaps the textbook definition of a spoiled brat, Dudley takes sick pleasure in tormenting Harry throughout their childhood. Whether on his own, with the support of his parents, or alongside his ragtag gang, Dudley almost never misses an opportunity to make his poor cousin suffer more than he already has. And while their relationship does soften as time goes on, their feuding remains a keystone reason why Harry longs to go to Hogwarts each fall and why we root for the half-blood wizard to succeed.

Of course, Melling himself is far from a vile little Muggle. With "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" being Melling's first role, the actor holds fond memories of taking part in the iconic franchise, even if his experience making it differed greatly from that of some of his fellow child co-stars.

Even though the actor had to don a fat suit as the "Harry Potter" movies progressed due to his gradual real-life weight loss (via NME), it's hard to envision anyone else playing the devilish Dudley Dursley other than Harry Melling. Before he starred in such notable projects as "The Old Guard" and "The Queen's Gambit," the "Harry Potter" franchise was Melling's introduction to the silver screen after having done theater during his childhood. But because the actor worked in the not-so-wizarding world of Harry's Muggle home, his experience in the franchise had some major distinctions.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Melling explained how his work and professional life didn't clash all that much while working on the series. "My experience was unique in terms of I wasn't in it throughout the entire shoot," he said. "The earthly sequences would very much be an isolated filming block. So, I dipped in, and then I went back to school and normal life."

While the real Dudley would probably complain about not being more in the limelight, Melling, who appeared in five of the films up to 2010's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1," has never had a hunger for such a lifestyle. "Sometimes it's nice to just concentrate on the work and what excites you," he concluded.