Leaderboards show that "The Queen's Gambit" have been a crowd favorite on Netflix. In fact, it has been in the top spot for 2 weeks in a row. A fictional story taking place in the USA from the 50s to the 60s, "The Queen's Gambit" tells the story of how Beth Harmon, an 8 year old orphan, grow up as a chess prodigy and become the best chess player in the world. However, the relationship problems in life has turned her to drugs and alcohol. Lead actress Anya Taylor-Joy played her character to perfection, leaving many captivated by the show.
While most people have their eyes on Anya Taylor-Joy, some of us that paid extra attention to the secondary lead - Harry Beltik might feel some sense of familiarity. If you have watched "Harry Potter", you might remember a certain spoilt, round child. The one that tries his best to make Harry Potter's life a living hell. The one that blames Harry Potter for everything and get him in trouble. That's right! We're talking about his evil cousin, Dudley Dursley! One of the most hated characters by Potterheads, Dudley Dursley's actor - Harry Melling has grown up and glown up to be defeated by Taylor-Joy in "The Queen's Gambit". Although he was a round kid back in the days, he has had a major transformation slimming down to who he is today. Melling himself has said that he feels "blessed" to no longer be recognized by Potterheads!
After finishing the "Harry Potter" series, Melling had no plans of settling down. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art while appearing in multiple films and television shows (any Merlin fans?) throughout the years. You probably have seen him already this year as he starred in "The Old Guard" and "The Devil All The Time", two very successful Netflix productions.
Now, in "The Queen's Gambit", Melling stars as an arrogant, undefeated Kentucky state chess champion. He grossly underestimates the main character and arrives at their first match late. He eventually gets defeated. A few episodes later, he reappears to help the star train and win her next championships.
When Melling first received the screenplay, he admits to have no knowledge whatsoever about playing chess, but he was drawn in by his character, the plot and a world so close to reality. His character initially thought he could win the world championship without any trouble, but Beth Harmon burst his bubble. Not only did he feel defeated, his confidence fell apart. However, when he met her again, she was at her lowest, and he did all he could to help her return to her glory in chess. That was what touched Melling. Once rivals, his character and Beth became a team, and eventually had a level of admiration for her and was willing to stick by her.
Melling, who is now 31, admitted that not being recognized by people could be a good thing, as it had given him a chance of "rebirth" instead of having to forever live under the shadow of being "Harry Potter's evil cousin". This has allowed him to better showcase his talents. Although he might not stand out too much among other actors, his warm and sympathetic character in "The Queen's Gambit" has garnered him some adoration from female fans.
Harry Melling's acting has also received recognition for his latest works, especially in "The Devil All The Time". Those who have watched it will know the unforgettable scene where he poured a jar of spiders on top of himself. There were no stunt substitutes or CGI, just Melling himself with real, actual spiders. This respectable effort, combined with his amazing acting in "The Queen's Gambit" will definitely earn him more roles and screen time in future productions!
*Cover images from Netflix (left) and Harry Potter Wiki (right).
