Matthew Lewis

Matthew David Lewis (born 27 June 1989) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film series.

Born in Leeds, Lewis made his acting debut in Some Kind of Life (1995), guest-starring on dramas for ITV and BBC One before appearing in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001). Lewis played the role for ten years, concluding with the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), for which he received critical praise. Following the series, Lewis had a recurring role in The Syndicate and performed his first theatre role in Our Boys at the Duchess Theatre in 2012.

Lewis starred in The Rise (2012) which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews and made appearances on BBC dramas Bluestone 42 and Death in Paradise in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Lewis had a supporting role in Me Before You (2016), which became a box office success. He was cast in the crime dramas Ripper Street and Happy Valley before starring on the ITV drama Girlfriends in 2018. Lewis appeared in Terminal (2018), which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival as well as Baby Done (2020). In 2020-2021, Lewis starred in Channel 5 television series All Creatures Great and Small to critical praise.

Early life and education Matthew David Lewis in Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, to Adrian Lewis and Lynda Needham. He grew up in Horsforth. He has two older brothers: Chris, a film editor, and Anthony, an actor. He was educated at St Mary's Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy. Career 1995–2000: Beginnings Lewis has been acting since age five. He made his professional debut in television film Some Kind of Life (1995), directed by Kay Mellor. He guest-starred in the BBC One crime drama Dalziel and Pascoe before appearing in ITV series' Where the Heart Is and Heartbeat in 1997 and 1999, respectively.

2001–2011: Harry Potter and recognition

In 1999, castings were held across the UK for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the film adaptation of British author J. K. Rowling's novel. Lewis, a fan of the series, initially attended an open audition at the Queens Hotel, Leeds, before being contacted two months later to perform a screen test for director Chris Columbus, eventually earning the role of Neville Longbottom. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released in 2001 and became a critical and commercial hit. For the role, Lewis wore a set of false teeth, shoes two sizes too big, a fat suit and ear prosthetics.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) both premiered to critical acclaim. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released in 2007. During filming, co-star Helena Bonham Carter accidentally ruptured Lewis' eardrum when she stuck her wand in his ear during a scene. Lewis commented on enjoying the "diverse nature" of his role in the film which contained more "emotion and drama" than its predecessors. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince became the second-highest-grossing film of 2009. In a 2009 interview, Lewis spoke about his experience working with director David Yates, discussing "about what Neville would be doing and feeling, even [..] in the background." In April 2011, Lewis made his stage debut as Lester Cole in Agatha Christie's Verdict touring production.

Lewis returned once more for the final Harry Potter installments, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). His performance was praised by critics for his "scene stealing potential"; CTV News referred to Lewis as a "breakout stud" and "man of action". Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling gave a speech at the premiere of Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in London, where she stated that there were seven major cast members in the series, whom she referred to as "The Big Seven" (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Bonnie Wright).

2012–present: Further work and television

In 2012, Lewis portrayed Jamie Bradley in Kay Mellor's five-part BBC One television drama The Syndicate. He made his West End debut, playing Mick in Our Boys, at the Duchess Theatre from September to December 2012. Lewis co-starred in the 2012 crime film The Rise, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Express stated that "Lewis provide as much pleasure as the mechanics of the twisted revenge plot." He starred in two series of the South Africa filmed black comedy Bluestone 42, which premiered on BBC Three in 2013. In 2015, Lewis guest-starred on the television crime drama Death in Paradise.

Lewis played Patrick, the boyfriend of Emilia Clarke's character, in Me Before You (2016), which proved to be a commercial success. Bustle noted that "Lewis' role is one mostly of comedic relief" but the actor "plays the character's outrage perfectly"; Lewis stated he was careful not to make the role a "laughed-off villain, but a fully-formed character." That same year, Lewis reoccurred in two BBC productions, crime dramas Ripper Street and Happy Valley. He starred alongside Niamh Cusack in the London premiere of Unfaithful, written by playwright Owen McCafferty, from August to October 2016. In 2017, Lewis, a friend of comedian Sal Vulcano, made an appearance on Impractical Jokers as himself filling in for Vulcano, which was shot at Universal Orlando.

In 2018, he starred in the ITV drama Girlfriends, written by Mellor, and appeared in the 2018 neo-noir Terminal, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival to negative reviews. Lewis starred opposite Rose Matafeo in Baby Done (2020), produced by Taika Waititi. The Guardian praised his "thoroughly likable performance" as well as the "laid-back" chemistry between him and Matafeo. Lewis appeared in the Yorkshire-set television series All Creatures Great and Small, which aired on Channel 5 in 2020 to high ratings and critical acclaim. The New York Times referred to Lewis' portrayal as a "dashing suitor" who achieved the character's "natural confidence [..] incredibly well." The programme was renewed for a second series in December 2020.

In 2022, Lewis appeared in the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts film as himself, along with most of the original Harry Potter cast.

In 2025, Lewis starred as Canon Clement in the Acorn TV/Channel 5 series Murder Before Evensong, based on the novel by Richard Coles.

Other activities Lewis is a vice-president of the Leeds Rugby Foundation charity. Lewis hosts the Leeds United podcast "Doing a Leeds" with former professional footballer Jermaine Beckford.

In February 2021, it was announced that Lewis became the first patron of the Bambisanani Partnership.

Honours On 24 July 2012, Lewis received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Leeds Metropolitan University for his contribution to the arts and charity work.

Personal life Lewis married Angela Jones in Italy on 28 May 2018, after the two had become engaged in November 2016. The couple had met in January of that year, when Lewis participated in the annual Celebration of Harry Potter event at Universal Orlando, where Jones was a VIP event manager for the resort and the event.

Lewis is an atheist.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Neville Longbottom 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 2012 Night of the Loving Dead Nigel (voice) Short film The Rise Dodd Also known as Wasteland 2013 The Sweet Shop The Reporter 2016 Juliet Remembered Toby Short film Me Before You Patrick 2018 Terminal Lenny 2020 Baby Done Tim 2026 Touché Tom

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Dalziel and Pascoe Davy Plessey Episode: "An Advancement of Learning" Some Kind of Life Johnathan Taylor Television film 1997 Where the Heart Is Billy Bevan Episode: "Things Fall Apart" 1998 City Central Ben Morton Episode: "Throwing It All Away" 1999 Heartbeat Alan Quigley Episode: "Hollywood or Bust" 2000 This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper Christopher Oldfield (aged 9) Mini-series; 2 episodes 2006 Children's Party at the Palace Neville Longbottom Television Special 2012 The Syndicate Jamie Bradley Series 1; 5 episodes 2013–2015 Bluestone 42 Corporal Gordon 'Tower Block' House Series 2 & 3; 13 episodes 2015 Death in Paradise Dominic Claydon Episode: #4.7 2016 Happy Valley Sean Balmforth Series 2; 4 episodes Ripper Street Sgt. Samuel 'Drum' Drummond Series 4 & 5; 12 episodes 2017 Drunk History Edmond Halley Episode: "Isaac Newton / King Alfred and the Vikings" Impractical Jokers Himself Episode: "Universal Appeal" 2018 Girlfriends Tom Dreyton 5 episodes Nutritiously Nicola! Himself Episodes: "Nutritiously Nicola and the Celebrity Client: Parts 1 & 2" 2020–2021 All Creatures Great and Small Hugh Hulton Series 1 & 2; 7 episodes 2022 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Himself HBO Max Special 2024 Avoidance Brett Series 2; 6 episodes 2025 Murder Before Evensong Canon Daniel Clement 6 episodes 2026 The Fortune Jimmy Brent Main cast. 4 episodes

Music video Year Title Artist Role Notes 2012 "Filth" A Band of Buriers Boyfriend

Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2006 The Queen's Handbag Neville Longbottom Harry Potter skit, filmed during production of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 2011 Agatha Christie's Verdict Lester Cole Stage, Tour Production 2012 Our Boys Mick West End, Stage Production 2016 Unfaithful Peter Stage Production

Video games Year Title Role (voice) Notes 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Neville Longbottom 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 2016 Lego Dimensions

Theme park Year Title Role Notes 2010 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Neville Longbottom Theme park attraction