Hero Fiennes Tiffin Coming of Age Post-“Potter”

When we think of him, most of us likely still see that pale orphan boy standing in front of a rainy window.

We knew who his character was, but still we tried to summon a little sympathy, wondering if – at that age – he could have been saved. But there was a distinct air of malice around the boy, and all the early signs of a sociopathic personality were there: stealing, harming animals, harming others, and enjoying it all.

From his empty, slightly arrogant tone to his expressionless face – that is, until the ghost of a smile flickered through the shadows of flames as his wardrobe was magically set ablaze – the role of 11-year-old Tom Riddle was played to perfection by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. And while none in the wizarding world will ever forget his brief appearance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, he’s all grown up now and ready to move on.

Fiennes Tiffin, the nephew of actors Ralph and Joseph Fiennes, was cast in the role of the youngest incarnation of Riddle due in large part to his resemblance to Ralph Fiennes, who began bringing Lord Voldemort to life in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In an interview released Monday by Elle, Fiennes Tiffin was asked his perspective on being a member of a famous family.

I don’t think of it as a pain in the ass. I think of it as a blessing.

He made an impression in his own right as a child actor and appeared in two more films over the course of the next four years: Bigga Than Ben, in which he played the Artful Dodger-esque Spartak, and Private Peaceful, cast once again as the younger version of an older character. From there, he signed on for one episode of Sky Atlantic crime drama The Tunnel before landing recurring roles on Netflix UK’s Safe and the currently ongoing ITV drama series Cleaning Up.

The 21-year-old had never taken a starring role, however, until 2018, when he was cast as the brooding Hardin Scott in the upcoming film After. The character, described as complicated and with a dark secret to conceal, began its existence as One Direction member Harry Styles in a viral fan-fiction-turned-novel series of the same name by Anna Todd.

Fiennes Tiffin will be joined in the rather steamy coming-of-age romance by Josephine Langford in the role of Tessa. You can view the official trailer for the film below.

The actor has also been featured post-Potter in the fashion world, appearing in the Erdem x H&M short The Secret Life of Flowers and a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana. And despite Fiennes Tiffin’s generally energetic and friendly demeanor, he finds himself asked more often than not to maintain a moody persona.

In the small amount of modeling work I’ve done, I’m always told that I never smile. If I’m told to smile, I’ll smile. But my go-to is just a screw face. Straight face. Grumpy lookin’. I think that has benefited me in playing Hardin. Smiling was a no-go in a lot of scenes.

As for the future, Fiennes Tiffin has been cast in the role of a Union soldier in upcoming Civil War drama Freedom’s Path. For now, however, he continues to pave his own artistic road – as well as fend off the hordes of new admirers who now equate him with the “bad boy” of their dreams.

It was as shocking to me as it was to anyone else. It hit hard, but in a good way.