Production on HBO’s highly anticipated “Harry Potter” TV series is officially underway, and fans just got their first glimpse of Nick Frost as the beloved half-giant Hagrid. The “How to Train Your Dragon” star has big shoes to fill from the late Robbie Coltrane, who originally brought the Hogwarts gamekeeper to life in the blockbuster film franchise.
Nick Frost Steps Into the ‘Big Boots’ of ‘Harry Potter’s’ Hagrid
This week, HBO dropped a behind-the-scenes photo from the “Harry Potter” set at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, U.K.—and it came with a magical surprise. Dressed in Hagrid’s signature long coat, unruly hair, and wild beard, Frost has officially “walked his first day in the big boots of Hagrid,” the network announced on social media.
The Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz actor takes over the iconic role previously portrayed by Coltrane in all eight “Harry Potter” films. In a June interview with Collider, Frost said he’s approaching the part with reverence—but not imitation.
“You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that,” Frost explained. “While I’m really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie’s amazing performance, I’m never going to try and be Robbie. I’m going to try and do something… respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there’s scope for minutia.”
Frost added that his version of Hagrid will be layered with emotional complexity:
“I’ve always read Hagrid as he’s like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child… I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Production Begins With Full Cast and Major Character Reveals
HBO confirmed that filming on the first season—based on “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”—is now underway and expected to debut in 2027. The project will adapt one book per season and may film seasons 1 and 2 back-to-back, although the network has not officially confirmed these plans.
In addition to Frost, the cast is packed with major names and rising stars. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Legendary Emmy winner John Lithgow will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore, while Oscar nominee Janet McTeer portrays Professor McGonagall.
Paapa Essiedu (“Black Mirror”) joins as Severus Snape, and Rory Wilmot will play fan-favorite Neville Longbottom.
Other key cast members include:
- Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
- Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch
- Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
With a “faithful adaptation” promised by HBO, fans of J.K. Rowling’s books’ world of Hogwarts will play out in a one book per season format.
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Meet the New Hagrid: Nick Frost Steps Into Beloved Role in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’