Matthew Lewis reacts to the upcoming Harry Potter series and Neville’s future

As the Harry Potter series is currently in preparation, reactions from the iconic actors of the original saga continue to fuel fans’ interest. Among them, Matthew Lewis, best known for portraying Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, shared his thoughts on the upcoming Harry Potter series. During his appearance at the Enter the Magical World 3 convention last November, the actor spoke in an exclusive interview.

Matthew Lewis speaks about the Harry Potter series in production

The future Harry Potter series is currently in development under the supervision of Warner Bros. Discovery. The project was officially announced in 2023. Its goal is to adapt the original novels in greater detail than the films did. Unlike the film saga, the series will dedicate one season to each of the seven books. Matthew Lewis delivered a measured and supportive message toward the new generation of performers.

“I’m not gonna give any advice at all”

Recently, Daniel Radcliffe recommended not constantly comparing the new actors to the original cast. “When these kids got cast, there is a whole thing around the internet being like, ‘We have to look after these kids’ If you really mean that, then one of the things you can do is don’t ask about us – me, Emma [Watson] and Rupert [Grint] – all the time. I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children’s lives. Just let them get on [with it], it’s going to be a new, different thing. I’m sure Dominic is going to be better than me.” Radcliffe said.

In the same spirit, Matthew Lewis refuses to give advice to the future Neville Longbottom of the new Harry Potter series, played by Rory Wilmot. During our interview, he stated : “I’m not gonna give any advice at all. It’s theirs now, we had our time. We finished the films 15 years ago and we’re done. The mantle is theirs now and I wish them luck. But they don’t need any advice from me. Let them do their things, let them succeed.”

With these words, the actor highlights a clear passing of the torch. He reminds us that the original team finished filming more than a decade ago, marking the end of an era for the original performers. His message emphasizes the artistic independence of the new actors joining this television adaptation.

Matthew Lewis remains protective of Neville for the new Harry Potter series

The actor’s attachment to his character remains strong : “I’m very protective of Neville. I think it’s a very wonderful character. I think he’s inspiring. And I always though during the films it would’ve been nice if we got to share a little bit more of how he is and why he is that way and a little bit more of his backstory”.

Indeed, the films had to make certain choices. For example, in the fifth book, Neville’s parents are introduced at St Mungo’s Hospital. They have been living there since Bellatrix Lestrange tortured them. They subsequently lost their sanity and were admitted permanently to the hospital. While this moment provides important insight into Neville’s character, it does not appear in the films.

In this interview, Matthew Lewis also expresses his hopes for the Harry Potter series. He hopes that having one season per book will allow for deeper exploration of various storylines. In the film saga, Neville Longbottom undergoes a significant evolution, growing from a clumsy student into a key figure in the resistance at Hogwarts. Matthew Lewis reiterates that a deeper exploration of Neville’s past and personality would, in his view, have been welcome.

With the series now in production, the hope for more detailed portrayals of characters like Neville is among the expectations expressed by many fans. Without offering criticism, the actor highlights the structural differences between film and television, and the storytelling opportunities that this new format provides.

Discover his full comments in our exclusive interview below.

You can also find Bonnie Wright’s (Ginny Weasley) reaction to the new Harry Potter tv series here.