Fans Clash Over Nick Frost’s New Hagrid Look in First Reveal

HBO has officially started filming its new Harry Potter series, and fans are already talking after seeing the first picture of Nick Frost as Hagrid. The image, shared by Warner Bros, shows the 53-year-old actor in costume as the famous half-giant, but not everyone is happy with how he looks.

While some people online say they’re “loving” Frost in the role, others have been less kind. A few fans said his outfit makes him look like he’s “cosplaying” instead of really becoming Hagrid.

The photo has sparked debates across social media about whether Frost can truly replace Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in all eight of the original films before passing away in 2022.

Nick Frost, who many know from Shaun of the Dead, will be playing Hagrid alongside young actor Dominic McLaughlin, who takes on the role of Harry Potter. McLaughlin was also seen in costume recently at the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, where filming is happening.

Both were chosen after HBO reportedly auditioned nearly 30,000 people to find the perfect actors for the lead roles. The main trio is now set, with McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

The new series is expected to last for about ten years. Each season will cover one of J.K. Rowling’s seven books, following Harry as he discovers the world of magic and battles Lord Voldemort.

Other major roles have also been cast. Paapa Essiedu will play Professor Snape, Janet McTeer will step into the role of Professor McGonagall, and Nick Frost is, of course, taking on Hagrid.

There has been some controversy, though. Some fans are calling for a boycott of the show because of Rowling’s past comments about transgender people.

Many feel that her views are harmful and don’t want to support any project connected to her. Nick Frost himself addressed this in an interview, saying “my opinions don’t align in any way, shape or form with those of the franchise creator.”

J.K. Rowling, who is not writing the new series but has been working closely with the script team, seems happy with how things are going. She recently posted on X, saying “I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” When asked if she was writing the scripts herself, Rowling replied, “No, but I’ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers.”

Whether fans warm up to Nick Frost as Hagrid or not, the series is moving forward. The debate over his casting shows just how strongly people feel about the world of Harry Potter, even after all these years.

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