The Harry Potter Remake’s Hagrid Casting Plan Gives Me Faith It Will Nail One Crucial Character Detail

As HBO’s Harry Potter TV show gets closer to filming, rumors are flying about who will be cast in the story’s most iconic roles, and this actor who is in the running for Hagrid may have just what it takes to ace the character. In April 2023, HBO first announced its intention to develop a Harry Potter TV series, which would prioritize book accuracy above all else. Now, as the series begins its casting process, Harry Potter lovers are watching closely to make sure that each actor is prepared to portray all aspects of their character.

Thus far, HBO has only confirmed one member of Harry Potter’s cast: John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore. Although this decision came with some backlash, (namely, Lithgow is American, not British), Lithgow’s long career and past roles are solid proof that he can play the headmaster. The next characters rumored to be cast include Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, and Rubeus Hagrid. Despite the fact that HBO hasn’t officially announced any of these castings, there are definite frontrunners who could take the spotlight any day now. One of these contenders is the English actor, Nick Frost.

Casting Nick Frost As Hagrid Means The Harry Potter Show Will Nail The Character’s Humor

Nick Frost’s Career Explained

The odds of Frost succeeding in the role of Hagrid look pretty good. Mainly, this is because Frost is an established comedian, which means he can ace Hagrid’s more comical side. Throughout Harry Potter, Hagrid acts as Harry’s protector and friend, but also as a source of comedic relief. When he isn’t being framed for opening the Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid is usually getting into some kind of antics with his animals or giving Harry well-meaning yet odd advice. Hagrid always means what he says, but more often than not, what he says is funny or strange.

For the most part, Frost is known for being a comedian. Since his career began in the early 2000s, he has mostly gravitated towards comedic projects. One of his earliest works was a spoof comedy show written and presented by him called Danger! 50,000 Volts!, which involved military experts improvising in life-threatening situations. He also garnered fame for projects such as Shaun of the Dead, Man Stroke Woman, and Hot Fuzz. In this way, Frost is primed to take on the silliness of Hagrid’s character.

Nick Frost’s Comedy Background Makes Him The Perfect Choice For This Harry Potter Role

Frost’s Comedy Background Could Help Him Distinguish His Version Of The Character

The main reason why Frost is such a good candidate to play Hagrid is because of his comedy background. As a former sketch comedian and writer, Frost understands the importance of physical comedy and delivery. There is no doubt that he will be able to understand the humor in Hagrid’s character, and add his own flair to it. Hagrid’s original actor, Robbie Coltrane, came from a more dramatic background, so Frost’s casting may seem risky, but bringing in a comedian may be the refreshing change that Hagrid needs in this new era.

Arguably, it is important that Frost, if cast, gives some new life to Hagrid. One of the biggest obstacles HBO will have in adapting Harry Potter is making their show look and feel different from the movie franchise while also maintaining the magic of the original story. On the actor level, Frost will have to distinguish his version of Hagrid from Coltrane’s, and an easy way to do this would be to make Hagrid more comedic than usual. Hopefully, Frost can use his comedy background to make Hagrid feel new and exciting again.

HBO’s Remake Must Also Nail The Other Side Of Hagrid’s Character

Hagrid’s Humor May Make His Drama Even Better

That being said, it is also vital that Frost can nail Hagrid’s more serious side. As much as Hagrid offers moments of joy and hilarity throughout Harry Potter, he also has some truly devastating scenes where his feelings come out in full force. There is no doubt that Frost can be funny, but he will also have to make Hagrid genuine at times, and emotional. Based on his resume, Frost has been in the business for a long time with incredible success, so hopefully, this experience will help him achieve Hagrid’s more intense moments.

There is even a chance that Frost’s humor will make Hagrid’s dark side even better. If Hagrid has a generally jolly and funny personality, then his times of sadness or anger will come across even stronger for audiences. The moment that Hagrid stops being silly will be when viewers’ attention is caught. All in all, Frost has yet to officially receive the part of Hagrid, but if he does, it seems like it will be a good decision for HBO’s Harry Potter.

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Showrunner

Francisca Gardiner

Directors

Mark Mylod