Latest news with #RobbieColtrane
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
First look at Nick Frost as Hagrid on set of Harry Potter TV series as he strides past fast food restaurants to get the tube - and fans are already divided
Nick Frost was spotted striding past fast food restaurants as he filmed scenes as Hagrid for Harry Potter 's TV series this week. The actor and comedian, 53, was captured in full costume as shooting on the first season of the highly-anticipated adaption continues. Earlier this month bosses confirmed the show had gone into production with actor Dominic McLaughlin who plays Harry, posing with a clapperboard on set. A video posted to X, formerly Twitter, shows Nick as he sports long black locks as well as a bushy beard while playing the fan-favourite grounds keeper. Filming is believed to have taken place at Embankment in Central London, as Frost can be seen descending a staircase for the London Underground. Dominic was also spotted in the background of the clip, suggesting the pair had just filmed scenes together. However, the first look has left diehard Harry Potter fans divided as they flooded X with comments. One remarked: 'A bad version of Hagrid incoming and Nick playing well Nick.' A second said: 'Hagrid looks much better here than the original picture.' Meanwhile, a third fan posted: 'Thank God. I'm so happy that the character of Hagrid is doubling as a prosthetic/physical prop as well as the actor just like the original Hagrid was. The set photo of Nick Frost as Hagrid just looked really weird, but I am so glad that that is not going to be completely how he looks.' 'He is already struggling while walking in production of first season,' said a third. Robbie Coltrane, who died in 2022 at the age of 72, played the character in all eight of the original movies. Meanwhile, Nick was forced to switch off his Instagram comments when news of his casting was announced after he was trolled by trans activists. Distancing himself from Rowling's trans views, Nick told the Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine. They just don't align in any way, shape of form.' He is already struggling while walking in production of first season — Waseem (@waseemmehmood24) July 21, 2025 A video posted to X, formerly Twitter , shows Nick as he sports long black locks as well as a bushy beard while playing the fan-favourite grounds keeper British actor-comedian Nick Frost will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane The series is a reboot of J.K. Rowling 's seven-book series and is a full-scale, decade-long adaptation that promises to stick far more closely to the original storylines than the blockbuster films Playing Harry's best friends are Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Additional cast members have also been revealed, with Rory Wilmot set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser - best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones - as Garrick Ollivander. It comes as Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby were announced the Mr and Mrs Dursley earlier this summer. Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman. BAFTA-winning actor Daniel Rigby, 42, will play her husband Vernon Dursley, though it's yet to be revealed who will play their son English actress Bel Powel has reportedly signed up to play Petunia Dursley in the TV adaption after shooting to fame in 2015 Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer (left) will take over from the late Maggie Smith (right) as Professor McGonagall in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation John Lithgow (left) was been picked to play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore, a role originally played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films It was confirmed earlier this year that Essiedu (left), an acclaimed English actor who is of Ghanaian descent, would star in HBO 's new Harry Potter series as Hogwarts professor Snape, a role originated by the late Alan Rickman (right), a white man Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie. Emmy winner John Lithgow has also signed on the dotted line to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. It was also revealed that Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny's mum Molly Weasley. The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars.
Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
First look at Nick Frost as Hagrid in Harry Potter HBO TV series
Filming is under way on the Harry Potter TV series and today the first picture has been released of the British actor and comedian Nick Frost as the beloved groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid. Frost, best known for Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, undertakes the role originally played by Robbie Coltrane in the Harry Potter film franchise. Having sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, Harry Potter is the bestselling book franchise and spawned an eight-movie series that grossed almost $8 billion at the global box office. But with almost 15 years since the last film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint was released, the magical world of the original stories is about to arrive on our screens again in the shape of an ambitious HBO streaming series set to run across a decade. All seven books will be adapted at a budget reported to be greater than House of the Dragon's $200 million per series, so Potter fans are likely to be in for a treat when the new series is finally released. Here's everything we know so far about the programme. What is the new Harry Potter series about? The new series is described as a faithful adaptation of the original seven books that make up the Harry Potter series. Each season will bring Harry Potter and his magical adventures to a new audience. Has the show started shooting? Yes. HBO announced that production began on the series on 14 July 2025. When is Harry Potter released? The show is being made at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden near Watford. It's the same place where the original film series was made between 2001 and 2011, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2. The first season of the new Harry Potter series is expected to hit our screens sometime in 2027, although no official date has yet been given. How can I watch in the UK/US? In both the UK and the US, the series will be released exclusively on HBO Max's streaming platform. Max is yet to launch in the UK, but is expected in 2026. It will be available as a new standalone streaming platform, but also as part of Sky packages for satellite customers used to seeing HBO shows on the channels like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max and Sky Comedy. • John Lithgow on the Dumbledore backlash: 'I wonder how JK Rowling copes' Which books are being adapted? Early reports had each season of the series focusing on one book in the Harry Potter series, which consists of seven novels. The books in the Harry Potter series are: • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) How many seasons are there? It was originally expected that each season would tackle one book, but the chief of HBO, Casey Bloys, said the project could run for 'ten consecutive years'. The later books are more expansive, particularly the final novel, Deathly Hallows, which was split into two parts for the film adaptation. Is JK Rowling involved? Yes, the author of the original books will serve as executive producer on the show. At a press conference, Bloys mentioned that Rowling was 'very, very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director'. He has also disregarded comments about Rowling's off-screen reputation. 'That's a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated, and not something we're going to get into,' he said. 'Our priority is what's on screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance.' Who is behind the show? Francesca Gardiner, who previously worked on Succession and Killing Eve, was chosen to be the showrunner after producing a pilot script and being interviewed by Rowling. Mark Mylod, best known for his work on Succession, Game of Thrones and The Last of Us, will direct multiple episodes of the wizarding drama as well as serve as executive producer. Are the original cast involved? It is unclear whether some or any of the original cast will return for the series. 'It seems to me that they are wanting to make a fresh series,' Daniel Radcliffe, who originally played the wizarding star, told Entertainment Tonight in 2023, 'which it feels like it'd be distracting to have old, haggard Harry also entering from stage left.' Who is in the cast? The Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin will take on the titular role — at 11 years old, he's the same age as Daniel Radcliffe when he first brought Harry Potter to life in 2001. Arabella Stanton, also 11, will play Hermione Granger and has previously starred in the West End production of Matilda the Musical. Completing the trio, Ron Weasley will be played by Alastair Stout, whose only acting credit thus far is a brief appearance in a Jersey Royal potatoes advert. John Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, having recently appeared in the papal thriller Conclave and as Roald Dahl in Giant in the West End. Janet McTeer, the 63-year-old Oscar-nominated actress, will play Professor Minerva McGonagall, originally played by Maggie Smith. The actor and comedian Nick Frost, best known for his leading roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, undertakes the role of the beloved groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, the role originally taken by Robbie Coltrane. First brought to life by Alan Rickman, the misanthropic potions professor Severus Snape will be played by Paapa Essiedu, whose career has spanned Shakespearean theatre to the contemporary hit series I May Destroy You. Luke Thallon, best known for his stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, will portray Quirinus Quirrell, Hogwarts' skittish but sinister Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. The comedian and presenter Paul Whitehouse will play the bad-tempered caretaker Argus Filch. Katherine Parkinson, whose comedy performances in The IT Crowd earned her two Baftas, will play Ron's protective mother, Molly Weasley. The franchise's infamous blond-haired Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, will be portrayed by Lox Pratt, who will star in the forthcoming BBC drama Lord of the Flies adaptation. Johnny Flynn, who starred as David Bowie in the hit musical drama Stardust, takes on the role of Draco's arrogant father, Lucius. The emerging child actors Leo Earley, Alessia Leoni and Sienna Moosah will play Hogwarts students Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown, respectively. Harry's cruel guardians, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, will be portrayed by Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby. Powley rose to fame on CBBC's spy series MI High, and has since taken on roles including Princess Margaret and Claire Clairmont, stepsister of novelist Mary Shelley. Rigby is best known for his leading role as Eric Morecambe in the 2011 drama Eric and Ernie. Bertie Carvel, whose credits have spanned Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical to Tony Blair in The Crown, will play the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. It has also been announced that Rory Wilmot will play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson will be Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey plays Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. Who is rumoured to be joining the cast? One key character who remains to be cast is the Dark Lord himself, Voldermort, played by Ralph Fiennes in the original film series. Names rumoured for the role include Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, House of the Dragon 's Rhys Ifans (who played Xenophilius Lovegood in the Deathly Hallows: Part 1), Oscar-winner Christian Bale and former Doctor Who lead and House of the Dragon actor Matt Smith.
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
First image of Nick Frost as Hagrid in Harry Potter TV series released
The first image of actor Nick Frost in character as Hagrid has been revealed as filming of the new Harry Potter TV series gets under way. Production of the new HBO TV show version of the popular fantasy novels is taking place at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in Watford, Hertfordshire. Advertisement On Tuesday, HBO released the image of Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, complete with long, wild mane of wavy brown hair and beard. He is wearing a long, dark green coat, with a dark green stripy shirt just visible underneath. Frost, who is best known for British comedy films Hot Fuzz and Shaun Of The Dead, is playing the role of the friendly groundskeeper in the series, who was played by the late Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane in the films. Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout who will play Hermione, Harry and Ron (Aidan Monaghan/HBO) It comes after HBO announced yesterday that young actor Rory Wilmot will perform the role of Harry's school friend Neville Longbottom, while Amos Kitson has been cast as his cousin Dudley Dursley. Meanwhile, Sherlock actress Louise Brealey is to play Hogwarts Quidditch coach Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Game Of Thrones star Anton Lesser will be wandmaker Garrick Ollivander. Advertisement Those previously announced include award-winning US actor John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore, Welsh comedian and actor Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch, and Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. Each season of the show will be a faithful adaptation of the Harry Potter books, from author and executive producer JK Rowling. It follows the popular film adaptations that starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as the protagonists. The series is set to hit TV screens in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max. Advertisement
Evening Standard
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
First image of Nick Frost as Hagrid in Harry Potter TV series released
Frost, who is best known for British comedy films Hot Fuzz and Shaun Of The Dead, is playing the role of the friendly groundskeeper in the series, who was played by the late Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane in the films.
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Post your questions for Eric Idle
What's your enduring image of Eric Idle? Is it him cheerily singing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from a crucifix? Nudge-nudge, wink-winking Terry Jones down the pub? Or struggling with his habit alongside Robbie Coltrane in Nuns on the Run? Now 82, Idle is one of the most beloved comedians Britain has produced, an alumni of Cambridge Footlights, Monty Python and the Rutles, who became perhaps the most Americanised of the troupe after moving there permanently in the 1970s. Post-Python he was in films including The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), Splitting Heirs (1993), Casper (1995), The Wind in the Willows (1996), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997), Ella Enchanted (2004) and Shrek the Third (2007). In 2005, Spamalot, his musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, debuted on Broadway to enormous critical and commercial success, adding Tonys and Grammys to Idle's already busy mantelpiece. A vocal critic of the current US administration on X, Idle is returning to the UK for a tour in September – his first for 52 years. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live! is a nostalgic one-man musical including 'comedy, music, philosophy and one fart joke'. Idle was born in South Shields in 1943, and raised largely by his grandmother, after his mother fell into a depression following the death of her husband, who was killed in a road traffic accident while hitchhiking home after the second world war in 1945. Idle went to a tough boarding school in Wolverhampton aged seven, where he was unhappy but became head boy and got into Cambridge. As 1965 Footlights President, he was the first to allow women into the club, and became the Pythons' musical specialist and also its only solo writer – John Cleese and Graham Chapman preferring to pair up, alongside Jones and Michael Palin. Their comedy series Flying Circus ran for five years until 1974, while the films (Holy Grail, Life of Brian and Meaning of Life) extended the run until 1983. Idle's affectionate Beatles parody, the Rutles, was a huge success in the US, where Idle was also a frequent host of Saturday Night Live. Other projects included voice work on the likes of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, a staged reading of his play What About Dick?, the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, US tours, assorted Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and season eight of The Masked Singer (as Hedgehog). Idle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019 and has since made a full recovery. He has an asteroid named in his honour – and has fronted shows alongside the scientist Brian Cox – and objects to the term 'atheist' as it suggests there may be a God not to believe in. In 2022, he spoke to the Guardian's Simon Hattenstone about his relationship with the surviving Pythons, as well as the deaths of his great friends George Harrison and Robin Williams and his concerns about the prospect of Donald Trump's re-election. 'We've gone back to the time of the dictators,' he said. 'You need to have presidential candidates subject to psychological testing. 'You're an insane narcissist; you have no business being in charge of a teapot.' They are undiagnosed monsters, that's the problem.' Send us your questions for Idle by 20 June and we'll publish his answers – alongside responses by some famous friends and colleagues – on 11 July.
