HBO’s Harry Potter is on the verge of casting its Rubeus Hagrid. Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein has been among the previously rumored actors being considered for the role in HBO’s Harry Potter show, while John Lithgow has confirmed that he is playing Albus Dumbledore. Filming for season 1 of the series is set to begin this summer. Hagrid was played by Robbie Coltrane in the eight movies adapting J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter books.
According to Deadline, a deal is about to be finalized with Nick Frost to play Hagrid in the upcoming series. The actor and comedian is known for starring in the Cornetto trilogy that includes Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. He more recently voiced the droid SM-33 in the live-action Star Wars series Skeleton Crew. In addition to Lithgow playing Dumbledore, Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu are reportedly in negotiations to play the respective roles of Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape.
What This Means For HBO’s Harry Potter
Nick Frost Will Be Signing On For The Long Haul
With Hagrid being one of the most important Harry Potter characters, Frost is a key addition to the cast. Since each season is set to adapt a different book in the series, some characters will not be in every season. That will not be the case for Hagrid, who is introduced in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and he continues to be integral in all the books that follow. This means that if the deal goes through, Frost should be a series regular in all seven seasons.
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While Hagrid does have his fair share of dramatic moments, he is also a frequently amusing character. Frost’s experience will lend itself well to many of Hagrid’s best and worst moments, and to the comedy that is needed to play the character. His performance as SM-33 in Skeleton Crew is only one of many examples of the stellar voices he can produce, and it will be intriguing to see the voice he settles on to play Hagrid in a way that feels distinct, but also authentic to the character.
Our Take On Nick Frost Playing Hagrid
He Is A Promising Choice
It is difficult to imagine anyone other than Coltrane playing Hagrid. He was a defining part of the Harry Potter movies’ cast and flawlessly portrayed the lovable character. However, Frost’s experience, particularly in comedy, makes him a promising choice to play Hagrid. After an American actor, Lithgow, was cast as Dumbledore, the show is sticking with a British actor to play Hagrid, although it is important to remember that a deal has not been finalized, and HBO has not officially announced its Harry Potter cast yet.
Source: Deadline
Harry Potter
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
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Mark Mylod