Actor Nick Frost spoke about his preparations for the role of Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot
British actor Nick Frost is reflecting on the immense challenge of stepping into the role of Rubeus Hagrid — a character immortalized by the late Robbie Coltrane. As HBO prepares its ambitious Harry Potter reboot, adapting one book per season over a decade, Frost embraces the unique responsibility of bringing Hogwarts’ beloved half-giant to life for a whole new generation.
In an interview with Collider, the 53-year-old actor shared his thoughts on what it means to inherit such an iconic role — explaining how he’s approaching it with a balance of respect and his own unique interpretation.
You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that,” Nick explained. “While I’m deeply aware of what came before me — Robbie [Coltrane]’s incredible performance — I’m never going to try and be Robbie. I want to do something that’s not exactly ‘different,’ because you have to be respectful to the source material, but within that respect, there’s room for subtlety and nuance,” he added.
For Nick, the emotional depth of Hagrid — that lovable blend of fierce protector and childlike innocence — provides a rich canvas to explore. “I’ve always seen Hagrid as a lovely, lost, funny, warm, but sometimes violent child. The beauty of adapting one book per season is that I get to dive into all those layers much more deeply, and I can’t wait. He’s funny! I want to bring out his cheeky, scared, protective, and childlike sides. That’s exactly what I’m aiming for,” he said.
Despite the inevitable comparisons to Robbie’s iconic portrayal, Nick remains undeterred. His focus is on honoring the spirit of the character while exploring the small, intricate details — the “minutia” — that a longer-format adaptation uniquely allows.
Filming the series will be no small feat. “Each season could take ten or eleven months,” Nick shared. It’s a serious commitment, but one he’s clearly excited about. “I’ve already gone in for head sculpts and hand stands, and when they show you stuff like a dancing mushroom, you think, ‘Wow, that’s the coolest thing.’ I’ve loved cinema my whole life, so to now be part of that universe is incredible.”
Production on the HBO series is set to begin this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The cast also features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow will take on the role of Dumbledore, with Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Janet McTeer as McGonagall.
