How Matthew Lewis Has Overcome His Childhood Insecurities and Become a Hottie, but He Still Remains Neville Longbottom Deep Down

Matthew Lewis became famous when he was still a child. Just like his character Neville Longbottom, Matthew used to be shy and clumsy and could hardly be named “the most popular boy in school.” But after appearing on the cover of a magazine in 2015, his life changed. The public saw a handsome man who had very little to do with that gawky boy he played on screen. But the actor had to work hard to make this transformation a reality.

Before rising to fame

Matthew was raised in an ordinary family in Leeds, Great Britain, and has 2 older brothers. It just happened that all Lewis children were fond of movies. Eventually, the oldest brother became a film editor, and the 2 younger brothers chose an acting career. When Anthony Lewis attended acting classes or auditions, Matthew was always taken along, and he nagged his brother’s agent to send him to an audition.

She once arranged an audition for Matthew, and he got lucky. He was invited to play small parts in several TV shows. This was how he got his first professional acting experience and the necessary connections. One of them was Sarah Lancashire, who Lewis considers the best actress in the world.

Neville Longbottom

Just like millions of children around the globe, Matthew was a big fan of the Harry Potter books. He even made his mother promise him that they would go to the movies together when the book got adapted to screen. And suddenly he found out that there was going to be an open audition for the movie about the young wizard, and it would take place right in Leeds.

Of course, he joined the crowd of kids who dreamed of becoming part of the Harry Potter world. Two months after the audition, he received a call to be invited to London and meet the film director, Christopher Columbus.

In an interview, Matthew revealed that it’s most difficult for him to play characters who are very much like himself. And Neville reminded Lewis very much of himself, “At times it’s painful how much of me there is in Neville. When I’m watching, I’m like, ‘That’s not Neville; that’s you.’”

Just like Longbottom, Matthew felt shy in front of people he didn’t know, especially if they were girls. Just imagine that 15-year-old Lewis had to wear a fat suit, false teeth, and ear prosthetics every day. The actor felt really embarrassed.

Maybe, this is why he was so convincing in this role. He received hundreds of letters from children who were bullied at school. They wrote to the actor that Longbottom helped them believe they could become happy and self-confident in the future too.

Magical transformation

Harry Potter fans could watch Neville changing from movie to movie. He would become more confident, courageous, and, eventually, the hero who was responsible for the outcome of the story. And the actor would change together with his character.

In 2015, Matthew Lewis, who was little known to the audience by his real name, appeared on the cover of Attitude Magazine. But he was so hot and attractive that even J.K. Rowling wrote on her Twitter, “Not as bad as watching Dan in Equus, but close. Warn me next time, for God’s sake.”

Lewis began to appear in the headlines of glossy magazines. For example, he was chosen one of GQ’s most stylish men, and Instyle magazine tipped him as perhaps the next Bond. Suddenly, the actor became the center of everyone’s attention, and he wasn’t prepared for that.

And he began to receive many different roles. So, Matthew starred alongside Emilia Clarke in the romantic drama Me Before You, played in the neo-noir thriller Terminal starring Margot Robbie, and landed a lead role in the series All Creatures Great and Small.

Polyjuice potion in action

There is Polyjuice potion in the Harry Potter universe. A person who drinks it can transform into someone else but remains themselves inside. This is what happened to Matthew Lewis in real life. Even though he’s a popular actor, he remains a self-concious teenager deep inside. He still thinks he’s an outsider, despite the fact that he’s already a grown-up man.

The actor often speaks about his insecurities, but his example proves that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve success. In 2016, he met his love, Angela Jones, at the Celebration of a Harry Potter event. And 2 years later, they tied the knot.

Today, the actor plays in movies and on stage. He received an honorary Master of Arts degree, founded a charity fund, hosts a podcast, and just enjoys life, sharing his emotions on Instagram. And his experience helps insecure children all over the world believe that everything in their life will be just fine.

Do you know any other actors who used to be ugly ducklings but became beautiful swans?