HBO has officially revealed the cast for its upcoming Harry Potter reboot series. In recent months, speculation about various actors joining the show has been rampant, with John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Esiedu, and others previously in negotiations. The casting has now been confirmed, and HBO has also announced that Luke Taron, Paul Whitehouse, and Nick Frost will join the magical ensemble. While fan reactions to the casting choices have been mixed, many have expressed support for Nick Frost being cast as Hagrid and he has recently joined social media to connect with fans.
On his Instagram account @FriedGold, the Cornett Trilogy star posted a photo of himself holding the first book in the Harry Potter series, “The Philosopher’s Stone” (known as “Sorcerer’s Stone” in the U.S.). He acknowledged the warm reception of his casting as the beloved Hogwarts Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Rubeus Hagrid, with some fans labeling it as ideal. Under the post, he humorously captioned, “You’re a wizard, Harry!!!”
Frost expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him to portray such a cherished character, stating, “Thank you for trusting me with a loyal, kind, brave half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid.” He also paid tribute to the late Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Hagrid in the original films, promising not to disappoint.
The reboot will feature Frost alongside John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Esiedu as Severus Snape, Luke Taron as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, with more casting announcements anticipated in the coming weeks. Fans are eager to see who will be cast in the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The mixed reaction regarding casting decisions has been compounded by past controversies surrounding J.K. Rowling’s statements, particularly regarding trans issues, which have affected the franchise’s reputation for many fans. Paapa Esiedu’s casting as Snape has garnered some backlash, as has John Lithgow’s casting. However, there is a notable consensus in support of Frost’s portrayal of Hagrid, with many calling it the best casting choice in the franchise’s history. Despite some fans expressing disdain about the necessity of a reboot, especially considering the original film series’ popularity, others appreciate the involvement of Rowling as an executive producer, which suggests a close collaboration during the production process.
Source: Instagram
