Matthew Lewis Is in No 'Rush' to Return for Harry Potter Reboot but Would 'Consider' It If Asked (Exclusive)

"It's not something I'm looking at or want to do but would not turn my nose up at," he tells PEOPLE

Matthew Lewis arrives at the opening red carpet for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter on June 15, 2023
Matthew Lewis in June 2023. Photo:

Jun Sato/WireImage

Matthew Lewis may have already devoted a decade of his life to filming Harry Potter, but he's not sure he's ready for more.

The actor, who played Neville Longbottom in all eight of the Harry Potter films, tells PEOPLE he's "not in any rush to go back to the world" for the Harry Potter TV reboot that's in the works at Max.

"The reason I got into this job in the first place was because I have a very short attention span," Lewis, 34, says. "I am very, very poor at maintaining anything for any length of time. I've had many, many hobbies and passions over the years. Not a single one do I still do. I fall madly in love with things and then almost immediately forget about them."

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2, Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2'.

Everett

Lewis, who spoke to PEOPLE at the Harry Potter New York store while unveiling a new broomstick greenscreen experience and props from the films on display, admits he is intrigued by what the showrunners will do with the series, currently slated for 2026. He says if someone called him up tomorrow and asked him to take part, it would be a tough call on what to do.

"It's not something I'm looking at or want to do but would not turn my nose up at," he says. "I'd be very interested to see if it was Neville as an adult — a whole different vibe. That could be interesting. I would certainly look at that and consider it."

Lewis tells PEOPLE that one of his favorite things about his job is that it's constantly changing, so he never has to "stick with one thing."

"I've been a nurse, I've been a police officer, I've been a soldier, I've been a wizard, I've been all these different things," he says. "I never know what's up next, and I love that."

Matthew Lewis (L) and Jason Isaacs speak during a Q&A session at MegaCon Orlando 2024 at Orange County Convention Center on February 04, 2024 in Orlando, Florida
Matthew Lewis and Jason Isaacs at MegaCon Orlando in February 2024.

Gerardo Mora/Getty

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When Lewis and his Harry Potter costar Jason Isaacs (who played Lucius Malfoy) were at MegaCon in Orlando, Fla., in February, they were asked who they'd want to play (other than their original characters) in the TV reboot.

Isaacs opted for Dobby the house elf, “because you don’t have to go to makeup,” while Lewis said there was no one he would even "want to even attempt to play.”

After a bit of prodding from Isaacs, Lewis admitted that Remus Lupin's book character (played by David Thewlis in the films) was one of his favorites. “If I was to have a go, that would be one that I’d do," he eventually said.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1, from left: Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe,
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1'.

Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett

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There's one Harry Potter star who almost certainly will not be appearing in the reboot — and that's the man himself. Daniel Radcliffe, the original boy who lived, told ComicBook.com in July 2023 that he had no intention of taking part in the new project.

"I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way," he said, adding that the show is a "fresh start" meant for a new crop of people.

"But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I'm very excited to have that torch passed," he added of the show. "But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it."

According to Deadline, the reboot is intended to run for "10 consecutive years" and feature the stories from all seven books, written by J.K. Rowling.

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