As a longtime fan of the magical world J.K. Rowling created, I’ve always been fascinated by the lives of the actors who brought the characters to life on screen. The Dursleys, with their perpetual grimness and unwavering lack of affection for our beloved hero, Harry Potter, were the antithesis of everything that made the series so enchanting. But what happened to these talented individuals after they donned the mantle of Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley?
Initially, readers in the “Harry Potter” series are introduced to the Muggle (non-magical) family of the Dursleys, an unexpected starting point given that the story revolves around a young boy who learns he’s a wizard. However, it soon becomes clear that the Dursleys’ tranquil life is disrupted when Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, leaves orphaned Harry Potter on their doorstep one night. Although the Dursleys object vehemently, especially Petunia who is Harry’s aunt from his mother’s side, they are forced to take him in until Harry turns eleven. At that age, he finally escapes their harsh treatment and begins his journey at Hogwarts.
In the online Harry Potter encyclopedia Wizarding World, J.K. Rowling characterizes the Dursleys as close-minded, prejudiced, ignorant, and bigoted – traits she dislikes the most. These unpleasant characters include Vernon, Petunia, and their son Dudley (portrayed by Harry Melling). Given these attributes, one might wonder why they are integral to the story. What function do the Dursleys serve in the world of Harry Potter? How does their tale unfold in the original books and movies? Who portrayed them on-screen, and what have they been up to since then?
The Dursleys were pivotal characters in Harry Potter
Initially, the Dursleys might appear as flat, mono-dimensional antagonists, confining Harry to their home on Privet Drive in Little Whinging, neglecting and emotionally abusing him outside of Hogwarts. However, it is crucial to note that one member of this family holds significant importance – Aunt Petunia.
In the novels and movies, Petunia doesn’t become any kinder to Harry than Vernon, and that’s despite Dudley showing some change of heart at the end of the series after Harry saves his life during a dementor attack in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” However, it’s important to note that the blood Petunia shares with Harry’s mother Lily offers significant protection to her nephew.
In the climactic installment of the “Harry Potter” series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” even though the Dursleys exhibit over-the-top villainy, there is a poignant moment between Harry and his cousin Dudley. In this scene, Dudley questions Harry’s decision not to leave with the family for safety, hinting at a rare display of empathy from Dudley. The book also includes a small instance where Petunia, Harry’s aunt, shows a glimpse of redemption, though this was later cut from the film. In the original story, Petunia departs her home without saying anything particularly meaningful to Harry. However, in the deleted scene, Harry alerts her to the threat posed by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Petunia’s response is heartrending: “You don’t think I don’t know what they’re capable of? You didn’t just lose a mother that night in Godric’s Hollow, you know. I lost a sister.” This suggests that Petunia, despite her past behavior, may have some understanding and regret about the situation.
Here’s what happened to Dursleys after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
After the Dursleys move out from Privet Drive and the wizarding world fights against Voldemort (and eventually defeats him), in the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” written by J.K. Rowling, Harry hands his baby blanket to his son Albus Severus and shares some significant information about the Dursleys. “I was given to the Dursleys wrapped in it” explains Harry (via Wizarding World). “I believed it had been lost forever, but when your great-aunt Petunia passed away, surprisingly, Dudley found this – and he graciously sent it to me. Ever since then, I’ve kept it whenever I needed luck.
In an old post from her own website, Rowling admitted that some fans may have speculated that magical genes in Petunia’s blood could have been passed down to any children Dudley might have, but she decided against it because she believed any wizarding genes would be overwhelmed by Vernon’s DNA. However, she stated that Harry and Dudley maintained a relationship: “Despite this, after Dudley’s valiant effort at reconciliation at the beginning of Deathly Hallows, I believe the two cousins would have remained in contact for the rest of their lives, with Harry visiting Dudley’s family during holidays (a prospect dreaded by James, Albus, and Lily).” The details about the Dursleys’ later life are unclear, but it can be assumed that after experiencing the events of “Deathly Hallows,” they probably resumed their ordinary existence on Privet Drive.
Who played the Dursleys in Harry Potter and where are they now?
Since their roles as Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley in the Harry Potter films ended with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” in 2010, let’s discuss what Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, and Harry Melling have been up to. Unfortunately, we must begin with some sad news. Three years later, Richard Griffiths passed away at the age of 65 due to complications following cardiac surgery in England. Beyond his “Harry Potter” roles, Griffiths was a renowned actor known for various projects such as “Withnail and I,” “The History Boys,” and many others. Interestingly, he also shared the stage with Daniel Radcliffe in the 2008 Broadway production of “Equus,” providing them an opportunity to explore something completely different from their on-screen family dynamic.
It’s fortunate that the exceptionally gifted actress Shaw continues to be active, having graced both film and television screens. Notably, she has been part of acclaimed productions like “My Left Foot” and “The Tree of Life”, as well as numerous high-profile TV series such as “Killing Eve,” which earned her an Emmy for her guest appearance in the second season, “Fleabag”, “True Detective: Night Country”, and the “Star Wars” series “Andor”. On stage, she has delivered remarkable performances in productions like Samuel Beckett’s unconventional play “Happy Days” (a one-woman show where she is submerged in garbage), “Medea,” and “The Seagull.
To avoid any misconception that Melling has been idle since his role as Dudley, it’s worth noting that he’s made a significant mark in his career post-“Harry Potter.” Following his portrayal of the overweight character, he’s appeared in notable productions such as “The Old Guard,” alongside Charlize Theron, “The Queen’s Gambit” with Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Tragedy of MacBeth” featuring Denzel Washington, and “The Pale Blue Eye” sharing screen time with Christian Bale. Though the Dursley family will remain immortalized in the “Harry Potter” films, they can now be revisited on Peacock streaming platform.
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2024-12-13 18:30