INTERVIEW
Mia Caven | 01/04/2025
Harry Trevaldwyn is a quietly rising force in film and television, with an impressive résumé spanning from The Bubble on Netflix to My Lady Jane. But his latest role might just be his most fun yet: Tuffnut in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
With a growing list of standout projects, Trevaldwyn reflected on how this particular one stood out, “I got so excited meeting Dean, the director and especially when I met Gabe and Bronwyn in those chemistry reads, I was like, oh gosh. Now I really, really want it.”
Tuffnut is one of the franchise’s many beloved characters, part of a cult fandom that grew up with the original animated films and are now returning as adults — some with their own children in tow.
“I think the emotional bit comes when you leave a character, especially if you don’t know if you’re going to be playing them again. You’ve put all this time in, and then you’re like, ‘Oh no. I’m done with this person now. That’s so sad.’”
Through the announcement of the live remake sparked scepticism, Trevaldwyn approached the project with confidence.
Full look, Paul Smith.
“It’s an overwhelming task,” he admits. “But I felt like it was made with such love and honouring the original, while also bringing something fresh life to it. You can love the original and love the remake. No one’s making you pick between the two.”
With multiple projects in both his rearview and future, including the upcoming film adaptation of the viral romance novel My Oxford Year, Trevaldwyn shares how jumping between sets has shaped his perspective.
“I think what I‘ve mostly learned is surrendering and trusting in collaboration. From an acting perspective, it’s quite rare to keep meeting new friends as you go. I think that’s a really lovely thing.”
He adds that although the How to Train Your Dragon cast had filmed entirely on location, they bonded quickly. “Bizarrely, I hadn’t met any of them before, but somehow we all kind of knew each other from different things. So, it felt like doing a summer camp.”
But acting isn’t the only creative realm Trevaldwyn is conquering. With his debut novel The Romantic Tragedies of Drama King arriving later this year, BookTok might not be ready for what’s coming.
“I put so much of myself into this book,’ he shares. ‘I was writing it for the younger version of me. It was so cathartic, almost like what might have been. I think that’s a big thing for a lot of queer people who didn’t come out until adulthood. The book was amazing for me.”
Coat, Jennifer Milleder. Shirt, Eton. Trousers, Herons Ghyll. Shoes, GH Bass.
Suit, Herons Ghyll. Shirt, Bombo Studio. Shoes, Hernan Guardamagna
Coat, Ark/8. Suit, Loedle. Shoes, Sebago.
Growing up queer shaped Trevaldwyn’s creative in both writing and acting. “It was a different time," he reflects. “I can imagine it’s still very difficult now, but I do think there’s more visibility today. Programmes like Heartstopper, which is actually a major comp title for my book. They show that it’s okay to be queer. I don’t know if we really had that.”
He hints that they story’ life might not stop with the page, “I can’t really say more than that moment, but it is with a production company!”
There’s a clear thread through Trevaldwyn’s career: a deep hunger for expression, connection, and creativity. “When I look back, it all feels back-to-back-to-back. I’m someone that definitely thrives being busy. I've been really lucky that these projects have come when they have. I genuinely enjoyed the variety.”
Still, when asked what truly brings him joy, his answer is far from the red carpet or a camera lens.
“Me and my friends wake up at 8 a.m. one morning and grab coffee. We speak for so long that we always end up late to work, but there’s something beautiful about seeing your friends just as they’ve woken up, all soft and without their armour for the day. We do it every week and it feels like an hour is added to my week after it, instead of one being taken up. Even though I’ve moved, I’m not going to miss it. I still go, because I love it and I love my friends. Especially when I’m away filming, being able to come back to those mornings. It’s my favourite thing.”
Photography Ruben Davies @rubendavies
Styling Harley Graham @harley.stylist
Grooming Rebecca Hampson @rebeccahampsonmakeup
Digi Clayton Duran @claytonduranretouch
Video Michael Farra @michaelf_photo
Words Mia Cavern
Top, Gayeon Lee. Trousers, Ray Chu. Shoes, Hernan Guardamagna.
Shirt and Trouser, Hector Maclean. Shoes, Sebago. Jewellery, Harry’s.
