Nick Frost, the actor set to play Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, has opened up about his approach to the beloved character. He made it clear he won’t imitate Robbie Coltrane’s iconic performance but will bring his own version while staying true to the spirit of Hagrid.
Frost shared his thoughts in interviews while promoting How to Train Your Dragon (2025), where he voices Gobber. He described Hagrid as a mix of warmth, humor, and protectiveness, aligning with his own experiences as a father.
“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.”
The actor emphasized that the TV format, with each book getting a full season, allows deeper exploration of Hagrid’s character. He wants to highlight Hagrid’s role as a protector and father figure to Harry, Hermione, and Ron—something he feels wasn’t fully explored in the films.
Frost also paid tribute to Coltrane, who passed away in 2022, promising to honor his legacy.
“Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
The backlash against Frost’s casting wasn’t about his acting but his association with J.K. Rowling, who has faced criticism for her views on gender identity. Some fans expressed disappointment on his Instagram, forcing him to disable comments.
“This is so sad. Are you just going to keep turning off comments and deleting posts to avoid legitimate criticism from your fans?”
Others defended Frost, praising his casting as a good fit for Hagrid’s warmth and humor.
“Nick Frost as Hagrid is going to be great! He has a very lovable and funny demeanor.”
The HBO series will cover all seven books, with each season adapting one book. The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer is Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu takes on Severus Snape.
Filming is set to begin this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, where the original movies were shot. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod are leading the project, with Rowling serving as an executive producer.
Frost’s version of Hagrid will focus more on the character’s emotional depth, blending humor with his protective nature. The actor sees this as a chance to explore aspects of Hagrid that the films didn’t fully capture.
“I want it to be funny, touching, childlike, frightening—and a mentor and a father figure in some cases.”
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While some fans remain skeptical about the reboot, Frost’s dedication to the role has reassured others. His approach promises a fresh yet faithful take on one of Harry Potter’s most beloved characters.
Credits: Sources include Variety, Screen Rant, and IMDb.
