Harry Melling showcases dramatic career transformation as he attends the Directors Guild of America Awards amid buzz around his daring new film in Los Angeles

If you still picture Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley — the spoiled cousin from the Harry Potter films — you’re not alone.

But these days, the actor feels like he’s living in a completely different world from Privet Drive.

On Saturday night, Harry proved just how far he’s come as he attended the Directors Guild of America Awards, confidently mingling with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Trading Dudley’s Image for Red Carpet Confidence

Now 36, Harry made a striking appearance at the ceremony, looking polished and self-assured.

He wore a bold red studded shirt paired with a black blazer and matching trousers, a look that felt worlds away from the child star many people still remember.

Smiling for cameras, he seemed completely at ease as he posed on the red carpet.

Rubbing Shoulders With Hollywood’s Biggest Stars

Harry wasn’t quietly blending into the background either.

He spent the evening alongside major celebrities, including Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Seth Rogen.

The event highlighted just how firmly he has stepped into a new space in the entertainment industry, far beyond the role that first introduced him to the world.

Leaving the Potter Shadow Behind

For years, Harry has been open about wanting to move forward from the Harry Potter legacy.

While promoting his gothic thriller The Pale Blue Eye a few years ago, he spoke candidly about the need to pursue projects that genuinely interest him.

He admitted he hoped the Potter association would gradually fade as he continued building a career defined by his own choices.

His Boldest Role Yet in Pillion

That reinvention is becoming even more obvious with his latest film, Pillion.

In the movie, Harry plays Colin, a timid gay man who enters into a BDSM relationship with an enigmatic biker named Ray, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård.

The role is a dramatic departure from anything he has done before and marks one of the most daring performances of his career.

Cannes Ovation and the Edited Festival Cut

Pillion has already caused a stir on the international stage.

When it premiered at Cannes, it reportedly received an eight-minute standing ovation.

However, director Harry Lighton revealed that the version shown at the festival had been significantly edited down because of its graphic sexual content.

He explained that he didn’t want audiences to feel as though they were being shocked purely for effect, so certain explicit shots were removed.

A Film That May Face More Changes for US Release

Lighton also acknowledged that the film may require even more adjustments before it can secure a release in the United States, where rating systems can be especially strict.

Skarsgård added a playful comment that what viewers have seen so far is essentially the “family friendly” version, hinting that an even raunchier cut exists.

A Career Built on Reinvention

Harry’s new direction reflects years of carefully choosing unconventional roles.

Beyond Harry Potter, he has appeared in critically praised projects like The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit.

He has also undergone a major personal transformation, reportedly losing around 70 pounds since his early days in the wizarding franchise.

What’s Next?

With Pillion generating buzz and Harry continuing to distance himself from his childhood fame, it seems he is entering one of the most exciting phases of his career.

The big question now is how the film will be released internationally, and whether audiences will ever see the more explicit version the cast keeps teasing.

One thing is clear: Harry Melling is no longer just Dudley Dursley — he’s an actor determined to surprise people.

Summary

Harry Melling, once best known as Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter, has fully stepped into a new chapter of his career.

Attending the Directors Guild of America Awards alongside Hollywood’s elite, he showcased a confident new image.

His latest film, Pillion, has attracted attention for its daring storyline and explicit content, earning an ovation at Cannes while also requiring edits for wider release.

With bold roles and steady reinvention, Harry is proving he has moved far beyond the world that first made him famous.