Harry Potter reboot star Nick Frost fails to mention J.K. Rowling during new interview in which he revealed the 'only people' whose approval he sought for iconic role
New Harry Potter star Nick Frost has revealed the "only people" whose approval he sought before taking on an iconic role in the TV series - but notably failed to mention controversial author J.K. Rowling.
Frost will play beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in the upcoming HBO adaptation of Rowling's seven-volume fantasy series into a long-form TV show, which is set to start filming in the UK in less than a month.
The actor and comedian said he was a huge fan of the late Robbie Coltrane, who originally played Hagrid in the films from 2001 to 2011.
Frost said he never knew the legendary actor, but his best mate Danny did.
And he was elated when Coltrane's children called Danny with their resounding approval of him taking over their father's most famous role.
'I loved the fact he was massive and angry, and that's how he began, as a kind of people's poet in a way,' Frost said over Zoom in London, according to NewsCorp's entertainment journalist James Wigney on Friday.
'And I love that working-class element he brought to everything he did. I had never met him, but my best friend Danny knows his family very well.
'And apparently, his kids phoned my mate Danny to say, 'We are so happy that Nick got the role of Hagrid and that Dad was a really big fan of his'.
Frost said Coltrane's family were the "only people" he felt he had to "really impress" in the Harry Potter world, and that "job is done" now.
The actor will join a star-studded ensemble, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Paapa Essiedu as Snape in the awaited series revamp.
Dominic McLaughlin has been cast for the titular role of Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger.
Frost's failure to mention Rowling is notable after some of the new stars, including Lithgow and Essiedu, recently expressed opposition to the author's views.
However, he previously disagreed with the 59-year-old's opinions in an interview with The Observer.
'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form,' the Hot Fuzz actor told the publication recently.
Asked if he fears the conversation about Rowling could overshadow the new show, Frost said he hoped it would serve as an educational tool.
'I don't know,' he said.
'But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.'
Last November, HBO chief Casey Bloys said Rowling's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff'.
A spokesperson for the network added the author "has a right to express her personal views" and the new series will "only benefit from her involvement."
Rowling recently celebrated the ruling that only biological women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws in a landmark case.
She has previously mocked the phrase "people who menstruate", said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real", and called a list of trans women "men, every last one of them".
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17 hours ago
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Harry Potter reboot star Nick Frost fails to mention J.K. Rowling during new interview in which he revealed the 'only people' whose approval he sought for iconic role
New Harry Potter star Nick Frost has revealed the "only people" whose approval he sought before taking on an iconic role in the TV series - but notably failed to mention controversial author J.K. Rowling. Frost will play beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in the upcoming HBO adaptation of Rowling's seven-volume fantasy series into a long-form TV show, which is set to start filming in the UK in less than a month. The actor and comedian said he was a huge fan of the late Robbie Coltrane, who originally played Hagrid in the films from 2001 to 2011. Frost said he never knew the legendary actor, but his best mate Danny did. And he was elated when Coltrane's children called Danny with their resounding approval of him taking over their father's most famous role. 'I loved the fact he was massive and angry, and that's how he began, as a kind of people's poet in a way,' Frost said over Zoom in London, according to NewsCorp's entertainment journalist James Wigney on Friday. 'And I love that working-class element he brought to everything he did. I had never met him, but my best friend Danny knows his family very well. 'And apparently, his kids phoned my mate Danny to say, 'We are so happy that Nick got the role of Hagrid and that Dad was a really big fan of his'. Frost said Coltrane's family were the "only people" he felt he had to "really impress" in the Harry Potter world, and that "job is done" now. The actor will join a star-studded ensemble, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Paapa Essiedu as Snape in the awaited series revamp. Dominic McLaughlin has been cast for the titular role of Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger. Frost's failure to mention Rowling is notable after some of the new stars, including Lithgow and Essiedu, recently expressed opposition to the author's views. However, he previously disagreed with the 59-year-old's opinions in an interview with The Observer. 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form,' the Hot Fuzz actor told the publication recently. Asked if he fears the conversation about Rowling could overshadow the new show, Frost said he hoped it would serve as an educational tool. 'I don't know,' he said. 'But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.' Last November, HBO chief Casey Bloys said Rowling's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff'. A spokesperson for the network added the author "has a right to express her personal views" and the new series will "only benefit from her involvement." Rowling recently celebrated the ruling that only biological women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws in a landmark case. She has previously mocked the phrase "people who menstruate", said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real", and called a list of trans women "men, every last one of them".
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