Latest news with #NickFrost
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nick Frost addresses taking over iconic role in controversial Harry Potter series
Nick Frost has spoken out about his casting as Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which has been plagued with controversy over author JK Rowling's anti-trans views Nick Frost has shared his aspirations to portray the beloved character Hagrid in the anticipated Harry Potter television adaptation. The esteemed actor from Hot Fuzz, 53, is set to step into the shoes of Robbie Coltrane, who memorably depicted the amiable giant and Keeper of Keys throughout the film series. Nick will join an illustrious cast including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Luke Thallon is slated to bring Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell to life, whereas comedy veteran Paul Whitehouse will depict Squib janitor Argus Filch. The coveted lead roles have been awarded to Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Staunton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Controversy surrounds the TV series, which has seen some Potter enthusiasts threatening to shun the HBO adaptation due to author JK Rowling's contentious views on transgender issues. While initially remaining out of the discussion surrounding the show by restricting comments following his Instagram announcement, Nick has since addressed his involvement more openly. In conversation with Collider, he expressed: "You get cast because you're going to bring something to that. While I'm really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie's amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie." Offering insight into his approach to the role, he added: "I'm going to try and do something, not 'different,' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia. I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. "I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait. He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing." When Nick first announced his role as Hagrid on social media, he faced backlash from fans who criticised Rowling's views, which have been labelled as transphobic. Several original cast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant and Emma Watson, have publicly disagreed with Rowling, leading to disappointment among Nick's fans about his involvement in the franchise. "Actor Nick Frost is currently getting destroyed on his Instagram for willingly joining the cast of JK Rowling's new Harry Potter TV show reboot and tacitly supporting her irredeemable bigotry. It's so bad he disabled comments on a post holding up a Harry Potter book. Not great," one person had written on X. "Honestly, I am shocked by him. I genuinely had more faith in him," another said. While further details of the series are still under wraps, HBO's chief content officer earlier this year emphasised that the TV show is "not secretly being infused" with any views when discussing Rowling's beliefs. In the wake of the massive controversy, which has seen Rowling lose a significant number of fans, Casey Bloys stated: "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years." During an appearance on The Town podcast, when questioned about his concerns regarding her opinions, he elaborated: "We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC. "It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them. "Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter." The Harry Potter TV series is expected to air in 2027.
Geek Feed
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Nick Frost Teases His Own Version of Hagrid for the Potter Reboot
The Harry Potter reboot moves forward (whether you like it or not), and we have a new cast of actors playing beloved characters from the original films. Nick Frost is going to be taking over the role of Hagrid that was originally played by Robbie Coltrane, and Frost talks a bit about how he's going to be treating the character moving forward. Talking to ScreenRant, Frost explains: '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.' Frost also teases that he's already seen some things that have been built for the reboot including a new Sorting Hat as well as some Wands. As far as what came before, Frost had told Collider that he won't be attempting to mimic Coltrane's original performance. Frost says, 'While I'm really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie's amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie. I'm going to try and do something, not 'different,' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia.' As far as specifics go, Frost was able to say, ' He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing.' If you've watched S keleton Crew on Disney+, we know that Frost already has the Hagrid voice down, but it's going to be interesting how he could be changing the character for the reboot. It's odd because even though it's a reboot, a lot of fans are expecting a lot of elements to stay the same. Otherwise, they would have to renovate the theme parks wouldn't they? The Potter reboot is expected to premiere on HBO Max sometime in 2027. You can catch Frost as SM-33 in Skeleton Crew now streaming on Disney+.
Geek Tyrant
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Nick Frost on Playing Hagrid in HBO's HARRY POTTER: 'I'm Never Going to Copy Robbie Coltrane' — GeekTyrant
Nick Frost knows exactly what he's walking into, with HBO's Harry Potter series adaptation, and he's not taking it lightly. Frost is stepping into the oversized boots of Rubeus Hagrid, the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper originally brought to life by the late Robbie Coltrane. While fans might be wondering how Frost plans to approach such a towering character, the Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz actor made it clear that there will be no mimicry, but plenty of respect. The actor told Collider: 'I'm going to try and do something, not 'different,' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia. 'I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait.' Frost's comments come with a heartfelt nod to Coltrane's legacy, with Frost saying: 'I'm really aware of what went before me.' While he's carving out his own version of the character, he's doing it in full view of the shadow cast by Coltrane's 'amazing performance.' This new HBO take on Harry Potter is shaping up to be something far more expansive than the films. Each season will adapt one book, offering deeper dives into characters and storylines that didn't always have room to breathe in the original movie format. That added depth is part of what excites Frost, who clearly sees the opportunity to peel back the layers of Hagrid's complex personality. Joining Frost in this reimagined series are Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Other key roles include John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Luke Thallon as Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Filch. Behind the scenes, the show is helmed by Succession director Mark Mylod, with His Dark Materials writer Francesca Gardiner as showrunner. Executive producers include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who also produced the original film series. For Frost, he is looking to find the humanity and the humor inside the half-giant character who's rough around the edges but endlessly lovable. And if there's one thing he's sure of, it's this: 'I'm never going to copy his ( Coltrane's) work.'
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Nick Frost makes strong vow about Harry Potter TV series after backlash
Nick Frost knows he's got some gigantic boots to fill – or half gigantic at least – when he plays Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show. In April, the news broke that the comedy star, 53, was set to play the Hogwarts groundskeeper and Keeper of the Keys in the HBO show. He's joining a cast boasting more stars than a wizard's robe, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonnagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. However, in a new interview, the star touched on the pressure of playing such a beloved character and made a promise to fans to put his own spin on the half-giant instead of replicating what Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, did. Nick told Collider: 'You get cast because you're going to bring something to that. While I'm really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie [Coltrane]'s amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie.' 'I'm going to try and do something, not 'different'' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia,' he continued. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait. He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing.' The news that Nick was joining the Wizarding World, however, has not been without controversy. When the Shaun of the Dead star shared a picture of himself posing with a copy of the Philosopher's Stone, he found himself inundated with comments from disappointed fans who were annoyed he'd willingly associate himself with the controversial series. The Harry Potter TV show and the franchise in general have been subject to backlash following JK Rowling's comments about the trans community. The author has been criticised for expressing views that have been deemed transphobic by some. Several members of the Harry Potter movie cast have been critical of the 59-year-old author's stance on trans people, including Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Redmayne, David Tennant, and Emma Watson. After Nick muted the post, a number of people took to social media to express their frustration with the star. @WizardingNews wrote: 'Actor Nick Frost is currently getting destroyed on his Instagram for willingly joining the cast of JK Rowling's new Harry Potter TV show reboot & tacitly supporting her irredeemable bigotry. It's so bad he disabled comments on a post holding up a Harry Potter book. Not great.' @Steeeeeeevens also claimed: 'Lmao Nick Frost turned off the comments on his Instagram post about doing the new Harry Potter show. Sorry, man, those are the lumps you gotta take when you decide to do the terf show.' 'Honestly, I am shocked by him. I genuinely had more faith in him,' X user Sam replied. Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell Despite the backlash, though, Nick made clear he's keen to get to work on the show, explaining More Trending 'I'm just so excited to get going,' he explained. 'I've gone in to do head sculpts and have your hand stand and stuff, and they say, 'Oh, have a look at this.' And you're like, 'Wow. That's the coolest thing.' 'I love films. I've loved cinema my whole life, so to be part of that universe now and that they're showing me, like, a dancing mushroom, it's like, 'That is so cool!'' The Harry Potter reboot series is currently gearing up for production, with filming expected to begin this summer in the UK. View More » The Harry Potter TV show is set for release in 2026. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix viewers have days to binge 'phenomenal' drama before new episodes drop MORE: Furious WWE fans 'hijack' major Raw matches after heartbreaking cuts MORE: 16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis 'living a nightmare' after son Weston dies aged 16
Perth Now
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Harry Potter star Nick Frost reveals his goals for revival series
Nick Frost is "never going to try" to be Robbie Coltrane in 'Harry Potter'. The 53-year-old actor has been cast as Hogwarts groundskeeper and professor Rubeus Hagrid in HBO's upcoming revival, and he doesn't think it would be right to try and emulate his late predecessor, who played the character in eight films between 2001 and 2011. He told Collider: 'You get cast because you're going to bring something to that. "While I'm really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie's amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie." However, the 'Hot Fuzz' star is keen to stress that he wants to make sure his performance in the highly anticipated TV series to still remain true to the character in author J.K. Rowling's book series. He explained: "I'm going to try and do something, not 'different,' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia. "I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. "I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait. "He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing.' Nick also revealed that the filming will take "10 or 11 months a season", with one series planned for each of the seven books. However, he insisted: "I'm just so excited to get going. I've gone in to do head sculpts and have your hand stand and stuff, and they say, 'Oh, have a look at this.' "And you're like, 'Wow. That's the coolest thing.' I love films. "I've loved cinema my whole life, so to be part of that universe now and that they're showing me, like, a dancing mushroom, it's like, 'That is so cool!'' Other stars cast in the series thus far include Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape), Janet McTeer (Minerva McGonagall) and John Lithow (Albus Dumbledore). Meanwhile, HBO recently announced that young actors Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod said: 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen."
