Harry Melling Will Join Glenda Jackson in The Old Vic's KING LEAR This Autumn

As previously reported, 79-year-old politician and Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson will return to the stage in the title role of KING LEAR at the Old Vic this autumn.

Today, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has confirmed that former HARRY POTTER star Harry Melling will join Jackson in the Deborah Warner-helmed production as 'Edgar.' Previews are currently scheduled to begin 25 October.

Melling is currently starring in the West End production of Robert Askin's HAND TO GOD, which posted its closing notice of 30 April earlier today.

On Jackson playing a traditionally male role, Warner previously told The Daily Mail: "I think she's playing Lear, full stop. He, or she, who takes the words into their mouth of any Shakespearian character, becomes the character. Boom. Done."

Melling is best known for playing Dudley Dursley Harry Potter's spoiled cousin in five of the Harry Potter films. Melling left LAMDA early to star in Mother Courage and her Children and then went straight into Woman Beware Women both for the National Theatre. He starred in The Hot House at Trafalgar Studios and played The Fool in King Lear oppositeFrank Langella at Chichester Festival Theatre. Melling also wrote and starred in his own one man show Peddling which transferred to 59E59 in New York. He will appear as William Barclay in the feature Lost City of Z opposite Charlie Hunnam.