Nick Frost Cast as Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s Harry Potter Series
In a significant development for fans of the wizarding world, Nick Frost has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series. The reboot, which will cover one book per season over a 10-year run, is already one of the most anticipated projects in recent memory. In an exclusive conversation with Collider, Frost opened up about the daunting but thrilling task of following in the footsteps of the late Robbie Coltrane, while putting his own stamp on the Hogwarts gamekeeper.
According to Collider, Frost revealed that he is excited to bring his own interpretation to the character, saying, "You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that. While I’m really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie [Coltrane]’s amazing performance, I’m never going to try and be Robbie. I’m going to try and do something, not ‘different,’ I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there’s scope for minutia. I always read Hagrid as he’s like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child." As reported by Collider, Frost’s take on Hagrid leans into the contradictions that make the half-giant so endearing: his vulnerability, his warmth, and his capacity for both mischief and protection.
Collider also reported that Frost will have a significant amount of work ahead of him, with filming expected to take place over ten or eleven months per season. This will provide Frost with ample opportunity to explore the character in depth, but it also means that the cast will have very little downtime. Despite the workload, Frost seems completely unfazed, telling Collider, "I’m just so excited to get going. I’ve gone in to do head sculpts and have your hand stand and stuff, and they say, ‘Oh, have a look at this.’ And you’re like, ‘Wow. That’s the coolest thing.’ I love films. I’ve loved cinema my whole life, so to be part of that universe now and that they’re showing me, like, a dancing mushroom, it’s like, ‘That is so cool!’"
The Harry Potter reboot series is currently prepping for production, with filming expected to begin this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. As reported by Collider, Frost joins a cast that includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore, with Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Janet McTeer as McGonagall. According to Collider, the series has assembled a talented cast, and fans are eagerly anticipating the show’s release.
In addition to his work on the Harry Potter series, Frost will next be seen alongside Gerard Butler, Mason Thames, and Nico Parker in How to Train Your Dragon, the live-action remake of the classic animated film, directed once more by Dean DeBlois. As reported by Collider, Frost will play Gobber the Belch, the trusted friend and adviser of Stoick (Butler). How to Train Your Dragon opens on June 9.
Collider also reported that the Harry Potter series has a talented team behind the scenes, including showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod. The series is expected to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved books, and fans are excited to see how the story will be brought to life on screen. With Frost on board as Hagrid, the series is shaping up to be an exciting and nostalgic ride for fans of the franchise. As noted by Collider, stay tuned for more updates on the Harry Potter series.
