Nick Frost is officially donning the giant-sized boots of Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s ambitious Harry Potter reboot. The first-look image of Frost in costume hit the internet this week, revealing a cozy but commanding take on the beloved gamekeeper. The show, now confirmed for a 2027 release, is HBO’s most ambitious fantasy series since House of the Dragon — and expectations are sky-high.
Fans were already buzzing from Monday’s reveal of Dominic McLaughlin as the boy wizard himself. With cameras rolling at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the fresh image of Frost marks another nostalgic yet bold pivot in the casting of this decade-long adaptation.
A Familiar Face With a Giant-Sized Challenge
Taking on Hagrid means stepping into the shadow of the late Robbie Coltrane — a performance that became near-untouchable in Potterdom.
Frost, best known for his work in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, brings a different kind of warmth to the character. He’s gruff, funny, and unexpectedly gentle — three things Hagrid always was.
Fans of the books will remember Hagrid not just as Hogwarts’ gamekeeper, but also as one of the first magical faces Harry meets. His introduction in The Philosopher’s Stone sets the emotional tone for the rest of the saga. Frost’s casting signals a return to that original heart.
Who’s Who in the New Wizarding Cast?
HBO has taken its time curating a lineup that blends familiar British TV veterans with up-and-coming talent.
Here’s a look at the names revealed so far:
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Nick Frost as Hagrid
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John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
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Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
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Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
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Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
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Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
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Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
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Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
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Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
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Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
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Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch
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Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
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Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
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Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
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Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
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Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
It’s a mix of gravitas and freshness that mirrors the original series’ spirit — but this time, the emphasis seems firmly on dramatic depth.
A New Era, But a Faithful One
While it’s a reboot, HBO and the creative team are emphasizing one key word: “faithful.”
J.K. Rowling, author of the original series, remains closely involved as an executive producer. Francesca Gardiner leads the writing and also serves as EP. Mark Mylod, known for his work on Succession, will direct multiple episodes.
The aim, according to early production notes, is not reinvention but revival — a retelling that sticks closer to the books’ detailed plots, richer character arcs, and magical worldbuilding.
Unlike the original Warner Bros. films, which occasionally trimmed subplots and side characters, this series aims to dive into each year of Hogwarts with a full season of television. That means more room for storylines like SPEW, Peeves the poltergeist, and perhaps even the finer threads of wizarding politics.
HBO’s Multi-Year Gamble
Ten years. That’s the timeline HBO is betting on for this franchise.
Each book is expected to receive its own season. That model has already worked for big-name adaptations like Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. But this will be HBO’s first swing at rebooting a franchise as beloved and culturally loaded as Harry Potter.
Cameras have only just started rolling, but marketing has begun in subtle bursts — character teases, concept art drops, and now, first-look images. Fans are watching every frame.
The studio’s decision to start with lesser-known leads for the trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) and surround them with acting heavyweights is no coincidence. It’s a nod to the original casting formula that gave us Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
The Legacy of Hagrid — and Frost’s Take
Casting Nick Frost as Hagrid wasn’t predictable. But looking closer, it feels like a clever move.
Frost is no stranger to roles that balance humor and sorrow. Hagrid, after all, is a character who juggles comic relief and emotional resonance. He cares deeply about magical creatures and fiercely defends his students. He’s also deeply insecure, forever caught between two worlds — human and giant.
What Frost brings is not imitation, but interpretation. He’s said to be leaning into Hagrid’s vulnerabilities while maintaining his gruff affection. From what’s seen in the image, the look is on point — long coat, thick beard, eyes that could break your heart and then make you laugh seconds later.
Fans and critics alike are already drawing comparisons, but one thing is clear: Frost’s Hagrid is no cosplay. He’s crafting something new.
