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Matthew Lewis Explains Why It's 'Painful' for Him to Re-Watch the 'Harry Potter' Movies

Matthew Lewis Explains Why It's 'Painful' for Him to Re-Watch the 'Harry Potter' Movies

Matthew Lewis is looking back on his time as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies.

During a new interview, the 31-year-old actor revealed that he has re-watched the movies, but finds it “painful” to watch his parts.

“I find it quite difficult when too much of me starts to come through in a character,” Matthew told The New York Times.

Matthew went on to say that his portrayal of Neville hits a little to close to home for him.

“It’s easier when I can play someone completely different,” Matthew continued. “Like a police officer in London or someone who’s wealthy.”

He added, “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.’”

Also in the interview, David Yates – who directed the last four Harry Potter movies – admitted that he too saw similarities between Matthew and Neville.

“[Matthew] became more confident, more curious, more present as the films progressed. And more ambitious,” David shared.

He then referenced writing the scene where Neville blows up the bridge in Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which was not in the book series.

“It captured the charms of Neville and Matthew’s everyman quality,” David explained. “He had a modesty and an honesty that was hard to ignore.”

Despite having a hard time watching the movies, Matthew is very grateful to be haven been a part of the Harry Potter franchise.

“If there’s something people remember you by, there are worse things than the Harry Potter franchise,” Matthew shared. “It opened so many doors for me when I otherwise wouldn’t even have gotten in the room.”

One of Matthew‘s Harry Potter co-stars revealed if he would ever return to the film franchise.

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Photos: Getty Images
Posted to: Harry Potter, Matthew Lewis