The Unplanned 'Harry Potter' Scene That Temporarily Impaired an Actor's Hearing
Neville's worst nightmare comes true when an unscripted moment with Bellatrix leaves actor Matthew Lewis temporarily deaf Helena Bonham Carter feels guilty for the mishap Will Lewis recover from this 'Harry Potter' injury?
The Big Picture
Helena Bonham Carter accidentally injured Matthew Lewis on set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, causing temporary deafness in one ear.
Bonham Carter expressed remorse after Lewis experienced internal bleeding and took three days to regain his hearing. She offered him a sincere apology and felt overwhelming guilt.
Fortunately, Lewis made a complete recovery and extended forgiveness to Bonham Carter.
Accidents on the sets of TV shows and movies are not uncommon or unheard of. It is not unusual for actors and actresses to sustain a few cuts or bruises. In some cases, more serious injuries occur, or in the worst scenario, someone loses their life. The set of Harry Potter movies had its fair share of incidents (though none were fatal). One incident, in particular, involved the beloved and incredibly talented Helena Bonham Carter and Matthew Lewis, who played the characters Bellatrix Lestrange and Neville Longbottom, respectively, throughout the franchise. Unfortunately, this particular incident temporarily impaired Lewis's hearing in one ear while filming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
What Happened to Matthew Lewis on the 'Harry Potter' Set?
Image via Warner Bros
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Helena Bonham Carter, renowned for her captivating performance as Bellatrix in the Harry Potter movies, recounted an incident that occurred on the set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The scene being filmed depicted Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Neville (Lewis), and their allies battling the Death Eaters at the Ministry of Magic. Particularly, when Bellatrix apprehends Neville and employs him as leverage against Harry. In an attempt to heighten the intensity of the scene and magnify Bellatrix's torment of Neville, Bonham Carter, before the final shot was approved, decided to experiment with something different. She conceived what she believed to be a fairly ingenious notion of utilizing her wand as a makeshift Q-tip to playfully clean Lewis' ear. However, unfortunately, her plan did not unfold as intended.
Helena Bonham Carter Felt Guilty After Leaving Matthew Lewis Temporarily Deaf
During a subsequent interview with Parade, Lewis verified the aforementioned incident and provided further details regarding the exact sequence of events leading to his injury. He explained that while filming a Harry Potter scene, an explosion occurred causing him to inadvertently turn his head in one direction, coinciding with Bonham Carter moving hers in the opposite direction. This unfortunate timing caused approximately an inch of the wand to unintentionally penetrate his right ear, resulting in a perforation of his eardrum and temporary loss of hearing in that ear.
Image via Warner Bros.
During her interview with Entertainment Weekly, Helena Bonham Carter admitted that she may have taken her portrayal of Bellatrix's dark side a bit too far. She explained that she wanted to inject some spontaneity into the scene and spontaneously decided to improvise. However, she now realizes that she may have interpreted the character's sadism too literally. The unintentional impact she had on Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, surprised her. Despite causing internal bleeding and temporary hearing loss for three days, Lewis never mentioned the incident or expressed any discomfort to her. Bonham Carter felt incredibly guilty and described her decision to improvise as stupid and dangerous. She attempted to apologize to Lewis, but he couldn't hear her as he was still deaf. As a result, she began shouting, "ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, LUV?" every time she saw him.
Did Matthew Lewis Recover From His ‘Harry Potter’ Injury?
Short answer? Yes. In their respective interviews, both Helena Bonham Carter and Mathew Lewis confirmed that Lewis fully regained his hearing. Fortunately, the damage in this particular case was temporary, and Lewis was able to make a complete recovery. He finished the scene before seeking medical attention, where he was told he would be alright but would experience some pain for a few days. Lewis confirmed that he now has perfect hearing. He forgave Bonham Carter, explaining that she was very apologetic, and he let her off the hook when she introduced him to her husband Tim Burton.
Accidents on set are unfortunate and can occur even on well-known productions, regardless of the resources invested in security and the well-being of the staff. These incidents serve as a reminder to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved. Hopefully, such incidents can prompt Hollywood and the entertainment industry as a whole to emphasize safety practices for actors, actresses, and the entire crew. It is crucial to ensure the well-being of the cast and crew so that they can continue to entertain audiences without compromising their own safety and health. Unfortunately, this incident was not the last on the set of the Harry Potter movies. During the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, David Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double, was paralyzed from the chest down.
