Matthew Lewis (actor)

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. He reprised his role a year later in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Lewis has stated that his favorite lines stem from the film.

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[s] 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

Television

Music video

Theatre

Video games

Theme park

References

References

1. "Matthew Lewis". Infoplease (FEN Learning/Sandbox Network).
2. "Matthew Lewis".
3. Charnley, Jane. (1 June 2004). "Harry Potter and the boy who wouldn't give up". [[The Yorkshire Post]].
4. . (30 November 2016). ["Harry Potter's Neville Longbottom aka Matthew Lewis makes magical visit to Leeds school"](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/harry-potters-neville-longbottom-aka-matthew-lewis-makes-magical-visit-leeds-school-610905). *[[Yorkshire Evening Post]]*.
5. (17 October 2011). "Magic Moments with Matthew Lewis Exclusive Interview with VQ".
6. Redhead, Jonathan. (1 July 2010). "Return visit to Menston St Mary's for Matthew Lewis". [[Wharfedale & Airedale Observer]].
7. Kaufmann, Justin. (15 July 2011). "Wikipedia Files: Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)". [[WBEZ]].
8. "Some Kind of Life".
9. "CV".
10. (17 October 2011). "Magic Moments with Matthew Lewis Exclusive Interview with VQ".
11. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". [[CBS Interactive]].
12. (6 July 2011). "'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' Press Conference (1/3)".
13. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".
14. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban".
15. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
16. Steve Daly. (July 13, 2007). "Bonham Carter: ''I think I took my sadism a bit too literally''".
17. "Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix - Matthew Lewis interview".
18. "All Time Highest Grossing Movies Worldwide". Box Office Mojo.
19. "Actor Matthew Lewis talks about playing an unlikely 'Harry Potter' hero".
20. Freeman, Sarah. (13 April 2011). "Learning how to earn a living after Harry Potter ends". [[Yorkshire Post]].
21. Davis, Laura. (29 March 2011). "Susan Penhaligon leads all-star cast for Agatha Christie's Verdict at New Brighton Floral Pavilion". [[Liverpool Daily Post]].
22. (7 July 2011). "Critics Sound Off on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: Is It Actually a Good Movie?".
23. (13 July 2011). "Harry Potter's Lewis emerges as breakout stud".
24. tzekoulis. (7 July 2011). "J.K. Rowling's Emotional Speech at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 London Premiere".
25. (7 November 2011). "Timothy Spall and Joanna Page to star in Kay Mellor's The Syndicate".
26. "Harry Potter Message Boards".
27. "Matthew Lewis to star in Our Boys West End Play".
28. "First promo, synopsis of Matthew Lewis' upcoming crime caper, Wasteland".
29. (20 September 2013). "The Rise: review and trailer".
30. "Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis: I'm dead against moving 'risk-taking' BBC3 online".
31. (12 March 2020). "Death in Paradise season 9: When was Harry Potter's Neville Longbottom actor in drama?".
32. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (3 June 2016). "'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2', 'Me Before You' Get Thursday Night Going – Box Office".
33. Ford, Rebecca. (10 April 2015). "MGM's 'Me Before You' Rounds Out Cast (Exclusive)".
34. (2 June 2016). "What It's Like Working With 'GoT's Emilia Clarke".
35. "Matthew Lewis thinks his Ripper Street moustache makes him repellant to women".
36. (3 February 2016). "Neville Longbottom is in Happy Valley! Leeds Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis in series two cast".
37. "INTERVIEW: Matthew Lewis on Potter, Unfaithful and doing that photoshoot".
38. "Unfaithful".
39. "Matthew Lewis talks playing male escort in new play 'Unfaithful', seeing Cursed Child".
40. "Impractical Jokers Sub in Matthew Lewis aka Neville Longbottom".
41. "Matthew Lewis on getting gritty and reuniting with Zoe Wanamaker for Girlfriends".
42. "Terminal".
43. (20 October 2020). "Baby Done review – Rose Matafeo is wonderful in irresistible film about parenthood".
44. TVZone. (2020-10-09). "28-DAY RATINGS: 31 AUG-06 SEPT 2020".
45. "All Creatures Great and Small (2021) - Season 1 Reviews". [[Metacritic]].
46. (18 January 2021). "Matthew Lewis Can't Believe He's a Romantic Lead, Either".
47. (16 November 2021). "All Creatures Great and Small Is Getting a Season 2".
48. (2022-01-01). "Let Helena Bonham Carter host! And more 'Harry Potter' reunion takeaways".
49. Sweeting, Adam. (3 October 2025). "Murder Before Evensong, Acorn TV review - death comes to the picturesque village of Champton". The Arts Desk.
50. "List of vice presidents". Leeds Rugby Foundation.
51. (11 September 2020). "Doing a Leeds".
52. (12 February 2021). "Ilkley Gazette - Harry Potter star to become charity patron".
53. "Matthew Lewis to receive honorary master of arts degree from Leeds Metropolitan University".
54. "Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis gets married". [[News.com.au]].
55. Respers France, Lisa. "'Harry Potter' star Matthew Lewis weds". CNN.
56. Gibson, Kelsie. (5 March 2020). "Matthew Lewis Has Harry Potter to Thank For His Romance With Wife Angela Jones". [[PopSugar]].
57. "Matthew Lewis on X: "@heyitsmebro I'm an atheist. It's pagan anyway so just enjoy the day off ;)"".
58. Raine, Madeleine. (8 Oct 2025). "Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson and The Durrells' Callum Woodhouse spotted filming in Hartlepool for new Channel 5 drama The Family Secret".