Matthew Lewis has joined the cast of new ITV drama 'Girlfriends'.

Matthew Lewis

Matthew Lewis

The 28-year-old actor - who is best known for playing Neville Longbottom in the 'Harry Potter' films - has joined a star-studded list of performers that will appear in the Kay Mellor-written programme, which follows three friends struggling with the stresses of being modern women.

Miranda Richardson, Zoe Wanamaker and Phyllis Logan of 'Downton Abbey' have already been cast as the leads in the show, while Matthew has been joined by the likes of Daisy Head, Chris Fountain, Steve Evets, Elena Saurel, Thailia Zucchi and Emmett J Scanlon, according to Deadline.

Matthew previously admitted he was keen to take on diverse roles during his career, having spent 10 years playing the same character in the 'Harry Potter' movies.

The actor shared: "Having played the same character for 10 years I jump at every opportunity I have to mix it up. Going away to do 'Harry Potter' was a bit of a ballache.

"Don't get me wrong, I sound like a t**t. It was such an opportunity and there's me going 'I want to go to the pub with my mates'. That feeling disappeared. I realised I was doing an incredible job."

Matthew's starring role in the 'Potter' movies made him an international star and swelled his bank balance, too.

But he's insisted he has remained grounded thanks to his upbringing.

He said: "I'd probably get to about 25-years-old and run out of money. I try to be sensible. I'm from Yorkshire and stuff, so I'm a real tight git."