from Dudley Dursley to Cannes sensation
Former Harry Potter actor Harry Melling, once known as Dudley Dursley, has reintroduced himself to the world with a fearless performance in the controversial new film Pillion. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the provocative drama earned an eight-minute standing ovation, solidifying Melling’s metamorphosis from awkward child star to art-house heavyweight.
Pillion Pushes Boundaries at Cannes 2025
In Pillion, Harry Melling stars as Colin, a quiet, socially withdrawn parking attendant whose life is upended after entering a complex BDSM relationship with a biker gang leader, Ray (played by Alexander Skarsgård). The film boldly explores queer identity, power dynamics, and personal liberation in ways and rarely seen in mainstream cinema. This film explores the power of relationships.
Set against the gritty backdrop of urban England, Pillion examines the psychological undercurrents of submission, dominance, and transformation. Mellin’s nuanced portrayal of Colin’s sexual awakening and internal struggle is already generating Oscar buzz in the indie film circuit.
Pillion is more than a film’s an emotional sledgehammer, said one Cannes attendee. “And Melling is the anchor of it all.”
From Dudley Dursley to Leading Man: Melling’s Career Reinvention
Melling first gained fame as Dudley, Harry Potter’s spoiled cousin. But after wrapping up the iconic franchise, he took a step back to study at the London Academy of Music, Entertainment and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where he rebuilt his craft from the ground up.
He quietly delivered standout performances in acclaimed titles like:
- The queen’s gambit (Netflix)
- The tragedy of macbeth (with denzel washington)
- The Pale Blue Eye (opposite Christian Bale)
But it’s Pillion that marks the true turning point—the moment Melling shifts from respected supporting actor to global headline-grabbing lead.
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The physical transformation that shocked fans
Fans were stunned when Melling walked the Cannes red carpet. His weight loss transformation over the past decade has left him nearly unrecognizable. What many don’t know is that by the time he filmed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he had already slimmed down so drastically that producers asked him to wear a fat suit to match earlier films.
This physical evolution wasn’t a publicity stunt, it was a personal journey that gave Melling a “second chance” at a Hollywood career. He now embraces the anonymity his new appearance grants, allowing him to immerse himself fully into diverse and demanding roles.
I’ve always wanted to disappear into characters, Melling told an interviewer. Now I can finally.
A queer cinema breakthrough
Pillion isn’t just shock value, it’s being hailed as one of the most daring explorations of male vulnerability and queer intimacy since Blue Is the Warmest Color. The film’s Cannes premiere was met with tears, gasps, and a roaring ovation. It joins a legacy of bold, European cinema that pushes the envelope on gender, sexuality, and emotional trauma.
Conclusion:
Harry Melling’s journey from the shadow of a globally recognized franchise to the spotlight of Cannes is a powerful reminder that reinvention is not only possible but often necessary for artistic greatness.