It was 2015. The internet basically imploded. One minute we were all minding our own business, and the next, Matthew Lewis shirtless on the cover of Attitude magazine was all anyone could talk about. I mean, we’re talking about Neville Longbottom. The kid with the crooked teeth and the toad.
Suddenly, he’s there in his underwear, looking like he’s been carved out of granite. It wasn’t just a "glow up." It was a cultural reset. People started using the term "Longbottoming" to describe that specific brand of puberty magic where the awkward kid becomes a total smokeshow. Honestly, though, the story behind that shoot—and the "shirtless" reputation he’s carried since—is a lot more about hard work and awkward phone calls with J.K. Rowling than just winning the genetic lottery.
The Shoot That Gave J.K. Rowling "Earache"
Let’s get into the details of that Attitude shoot because it was iconic. Matthew was 25 at the time. He wasn't just doing it to show off; he was actually prepping for his role as Patrick in Me Before You. His character was a triathlete, which meant Matt had to live like one. We're talking no sugar, no carbs, and—most tragically for a guy who loves his local Leeds pubs—absolutely no beer.
He was eating salads and hitting the gym like a madman to get into that mindset. When the photos dropped, showing off those defined abs and a jawline that could cut glass, the reaction was immediate.
The Twitter Exchange Seen 'Round the World
J.K. Rowling saw it. Of course she did. She’s like the honorary mother to all those Potter kids. Her reaction was pure "Mrs. Weasley." She tweeted at him:
"Not as bad as watching Dan in Equus, but close. Warn me next time, for God's sake."
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Matthew, being the polite British lad he is, tweeted back: "Well, this is awkward. Sorry, Jo..."
She eventually told him to go put some clothes on, but she also sent him a private text the next day making sure he knew she was just joking around. It’s kinda sweet when you think about it. He’d spent ten years being her Neville, and suddenly he was the internet’s favorite heartthrob. Even Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) chimed in, calling him "Neville Pertbottom." The banter was top-tier.
Why Matthew Lewis Shirtless Became Such a Big Deal
You have to remember what we saw on screen for a decade. For years, the producers were actively trying to make Matthew look worse.
It’s true. He had to wear a fat suit under his Gryffindor robes. They gave him yellowed, crooked prosthetic teeth. They even put plastic bits behind his ears to make them stick out more. Imagine being 15, going through puberty, and having to wear a fat suit every day while all your co-stars are just being themselves.
Matt has talked about this a lot. He said it was a bit of a nightmare at the time because he just wanted to be a normal teenager. By the time the final films came around, he’d grown so much that the fat suit couldn't even hide it anymore. He’d thinned out and gotten tall. The "glow up" had already happened; we just didn't see the full extent of it until the cameras stopped rolling and the props went into storage.
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Life After the Six-Pack
Since that 2015 explosion, Matthew has actually been a bit hesitant about the "shirtless" thing. He doesn't want to be "that guy."
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly about his role in the show Girlfriends, he mentioned being reluctant to do a shirtless scene where his character was applying fake tan. He was worried it would just "feed into" the whole Longbottoming narrative.
But look at his career lately. He’s moved so far beyond Neville. He was incredible in Happy Valley as the troubled Sean Balmforth. He’s been a Victorian sergeant in Ripper Street. And more recently, he’s been charming everyone as Hugh Hulton in All Creatures Great and Small. He’s a serious actor who just happens to have spent a few months in 2015 looking like a Greek god for a magazine.
The Fitness Reality
If you’re looking at those Matthew Lewis shirtless photos and thinking, "I want that," know that he didn't enjoy the process. He’s been very open about how miserable it was to give up pizza and beer.
- Dietary Discipline: He cut out alcohol and carbs entirely for months.
- The Mental Game: He says mental strength is harder than the physical work.
- Reasonable Goals: He’s said he aims for a "Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool" look rather than a massive bodybuilder vibe.
- Balance: These days, he’s much more about the "pint of lager and a pub quiz" lifestyle than the "shredded for a cover" life.
Honestly, his best advice for anyone trying to get fit is to make it entertaining. He hates running, so he tries to find ways to make it less boring—like running through the countryside and pretending he’s being chased. Relatable.
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The Longbottom Legacy
The whole "Matthew Lewis shirtless" phenomenon is basically the ultimate underdog story. It’s why people love it. We watched this kid grow up, get bullied by Snape, and eventually stand up to Voldemort. Seeing him succeed in real life—and, yeah, look great doing it—feels like a win for every "awkward" kid out there.
He’s married now (to Angela Jones, whom he met at a Wizarding World event, which is just too perfect) and seems totally grounded. He still gets embarrassed when people bring up the Attitude cover. He’s just a guy from Leeds who likes rugby and acting.
If you want to follow his lead, don't just focus on the abs. Focus on the evolution. He went from the kid in the fat suit to a respected actor by staying humble and working his tail off.
Actionable Insights for the "Glow Up":
- Don't rush the process: Puberty and personal growth take time. Matt’s transformation took over a decade.
- Focus on the "why": He got in shape for a specific role (Me Before You), which gave him the motivation to stick to a brutal diet.
- Find your balance: You don't need to stay "magazine-ready" 24/7. Even Matt went straight back to pizza and beer once the shoot was done.
- Embrace the awkward phases: Without the "awkward Neville" years, the "hot Matthew" era wouldn't have been nearly as impactful.
Check out his work in All Creatures Great and Small to see how he’s handled the transition from teen star to leading man—no fat suit required.