Nick Frost may not be playing Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show. The reboot, which is expected to run for a decade, has already begun the casting process, as several major stars have already been announced. John Lithgow (The Crown) will be playing Professor Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu (The Lazarus Project) is rumored to appear as Snape, and reports indicated that Nick Frost would play the lovable half-giant Hagrid. Frost is best known for appearing in Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and the upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon (2025).
At a panel at AwesomeCon, which was moderated by ScreenRant‘s Joe Deckelmeier, Frost addressed the rumors that he will be playing Hagrid in the reboot show. While he would be “thrilled” to be considered for the role, he explained that the casting is “in no way, shape, or form confirmed“. Check out his denial below:
What Frost’s Denial Means For The Harry Potter TV Show
Casting Announcements May Not Be Definitive
The casting announcements have slowly been coming as the pre-production process continues. The Harry Potter show is still early in its development cycle, which is why the Golden Trio and the rest of the stars have not been officially announced. A high-profile reboot will naturally receive attention even during the casting process, yet Frost’s comments do indicate that some of those early reports could be inaccurate. Even HBO has stated that the show will draw “rumor and speculation“, and originally declined to comment on reports of Frost’s casting.
Hagrid was originally played by the late Robbie Coltrane.
Frost did not deny that he would be taking part in the series, as all he stated was that it was not yet “confirmed“. When Deadline first broke the news, it emphasized that Frost was only “nearing a deal” to play Hagrid, which would explain why the actor is hoping to decrease the speculation. If he is still involved in contract negotiations, then an early announcement could make that process more complicated. Frost could still eventually be announced as Hagrid’s actor, but it will not be confirmed for some time.
Speculation Is Running Rampant
Hagrid is a beloved character, so it is only natural that viewers would want to know more about his eventual casting. Still, it may be better to wait for official announcements before setting expectations in stone. Lithgow has already confirmed his casting as Dumbledore, but both Frost and Essiedu are both reportedly only in negotiations. The show is still early in development, and anything can change in the coming months. Still, with the production set to begin filming this summer, the risky Harry Potter reboot will need to begin making its casting announcements soon.
Harry Potter
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
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Mark Mylod