Harry Potterstar Nick Frost, who is playing Rubeus Hagrid in the HBO series based on J.K. Rowling’s popular book series, teases his upcoming transformation into Hogwarts' gamekeeper. After several major cast announcements, the TV series is scheduled to head into production in the summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, where the film series was filmed. Frost has joinedtheHarry Pottercastthat so far includes Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), Alastair Stout (Ron), John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Janet McTeer (McGonagall), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), and Paul Whitehouse (Filch).
In an interview withScreenRant’s Ash Crossan for the live-actionHow to Train Your Dragon, Frost talks about what it means to play Hagrid in HBO’sHarry Potterseries. Talking about the beloved character, Frost shared thatas a father himself, he sees Hagrid as a protector for Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and plans on being protective of the young actors. He also revealed that he had visited the sets and had started to learn the script from showrunner Francesca Gardiner. Read his comments below:
Yes. Look, I’m a dad myself, so I am going to be very protective to the children, and I think that is Hagrid’s — one of the kind of baselines of his relationship with those children. He’s very protective of them, and I honestly can’t wait. I’ve had the opportunity to go and see some sets, and they’re growing a Hagrid beard, and I’m seeing the Sorting Hat, and here are some wands. It’s absolutely amazing. Getting the chance to start to learn Francesca’s script and hanging out with [director] Mark Mylod — that’s the reason I wanted to do it in the first place — to get to retell and to be Hagrid. I get a chance to be Hagrid. It is amazing.
What This Means For Hagrid In HBO’s Harry Potter
Nick Frost’s Hagrid Will Be A Protector And Father Figure For Harry
Nick Frost’s comments shed some light onhow his portrayal of Hagrid will be slightly differentin comparison to Robbie Coltrane’s version, who played the role in the film series. Frost indicated that he’d likely lean more on the half-giant’s protectiveness toward the main trio and how the beloved character acted as a father figure in the story. The actor’s comments also highlight that withHarry Potterheading into production soon, the cast has started to prepare for their roles and for filming.
Frost has played protector roles before. In fact, in thecast ofHow to Train Your Dragon, arriving in theaters on June 13, he portrays Gobber the Belch, a warrior, advisor, and friend of Stoick, who mentors Hiccup and other kids to become dragon slayers. While the two projects explore different fantasy worlds and settings,it sounds like there might be some similarities between Gobber and Hagrid.
Our Take On Hagrid In HBO’s Harry Potter
HBO’s Harry Potter Could Feature Different Character Dynamics
The transformation from Gobber to Hagrid might not be as drastic as it seems. In fact, Frost has found his version of the well-cherished gamekeeper rooted in his own experience with kids, which is something very exciting to see in the upcoming HBO TV adaptation. IntheHarry Potterfilm series,Hagrid is a fierce protector and advocator of Harry, but the film’s version doesn’t lean as strongly into the angle of Hagrid as a father figure. Instead, Dumbledore acts more like a surrogate father and mentor figure for Harry.
Frost’s comments tease slightly different character dynamics in HBO’sHarry Potterseries, which might offer fans a very different experience in the magical world Rowling created. In fact,Hagrid’s protectiveness might be what’s been overlooked in the film adaptations. Adult characters, like Dumbledore and Severus Snape, were very involved in fightingthe war against Voldemort, but Hagrid’s primary intention was to safeguard the kids, which was what differentiated the character from others in the first place.
