Harry Melling on Starring in Gay Biker Drama 'Pillion'

The actor discusses his role as a submissive parking attendant opposite Alexander Skarsgård's dominant biker in the acclaimed indie film.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Harry Melling, known for playing Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, discusses his leading role in the indie drama "Pillion" opposite Alexander Skarsgård. The film, which was a hit at Cannes and is now getting a wider U.S. release, centers on the BDSM-tinged relationship between Melling's shy parking attendant and Skarsgård's brooding biker. Melling talks about researching the film's kink community, his approach to playing a submissive character, and how he's deliberately avoided being typecast over the course of his career.

Why it matters

"Pillion" is a provocative indie film that explores themes of power dynamics, sexuality, and identity through an unconventional romantic relationship. Melling's performance as the film's emotional core has earned him critical acclaim, and the movie's success highlights the growing appetite for nuanced LGBTQ+ stories on the big screen.

The details

In "Pillion," Melling plays Colin, a timid parking attendant who becomes entangled in a BDSM-tinged relationship with Skarsgård's brooding biker character, Ray. To prepare, Melling spent time with members of the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club, learning about the leather community and even how to properly lick a boot. The film transposes the story from the 1970s setting of the novel it's based on to the present day, and Melling says director Harry Lighton wanted to create a sense of "embrace" with the audience before "confronting" them with the more transgressive elements of the relationship.

  • Pillion premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, where it won awards for its screenplay and dog characters.
  • The film received three BAFTA nominations this past awards season and has earned a smattering of other indie film and critics' association nods.
  • Pillion is now finally getting a wide release in the United States after being acquired by A24 in October 2024.

The players

Harry Melling

An English actor known for playing Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, as well as roles in projects like The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and The Queen's Gambit. In Pillion, he stars as the shy, submissive parking attendant Colin.

Alexander Skarsgård

A Swedish actor who plays the brooding, dominant biker Ray in Pillion opposite Melling.

Harry Lighton

The director of Pillion, making his feature film debut after a series of acclaimed short films.

Adam Mars-Jones

The author of the novel Box Hill, which served as the basis for the story in Pillion.

Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club

A real-life LGBTQ+ leather group that consulted on the film's content and appeared as background actors.

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What they’re saying

“The movie embraces the audience more than the book does. I think Harry Lighton wanted the audience to feel embraced and then to be sort of confronted or shocked by something, and then to go back to the embrace.”

— Harry Melling, Actor (Vulture)

“Even though he's really bad at this first blowjob, he's having a great time.”

— Harry Melling, Actor (Vulture)

“In some ways, it's true. The gray area is what makes audiences lean in and go, Okay, what's going on here?”

— Harry Melling, Actor (Vulture)

What’s next

Pillion is expected to continue building awards season momentum as it reaches wider audiences in the United States.

The takeaway

Melling's performance in Pillion showcases his versatility as an actor, as he brings depth and nuance to a character who could have been one-dimensional. The film's exploration of power dynamics and sexuality in an unconventional relationship has resonated with critics and audiences, cementing Melling as a rising talent to watch.