The forthcoming Harry Potter HBO series has found the actor who will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid.
British actor-comedian Nick Frost, 52, has been tapped to fill the role, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane, who died in late 2022 at age 72.
According to a Deadline report, Frost is close to finalizing the deal to sign on for the TV adaptation of the beloved fantasy books.
In a statement to the publication, HBO said, ‘We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.’
Fans initially suspected Nick would join the production last week when he posted in an Instagram caption: ‘What a bloody lovely day! It’s happening, it’s actually happening. Stay cool.’
The forthcoming Harry Potter HBO series has found the actor who will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane
The Harry Potter television series will come to small screens in 2026; original cast Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson pictured L-R in 2001
The note, accompanied by a close-up selfie, was void of context.
But social media users noticed that he’d begun following stars who have already been confirmed in the Harry Potter HBO cast — John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu.
Nick most recently starred in the slasher comedy movie Get Away, which he wrote and Steffen Haars directed.
Last month it was announced that Lithgow hd been picked to play the new Professor Dumbledore.
Following the news, the 79-year-old star said stepping into the shoes of the magical headmaster, first played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, ‘came as a total surprise to me.’
He told Screen Rant, ‘I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.’
The veteran entertainer added, ‘But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter.
‘That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87-years-old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.’
British actor-comedian Nick Frost, 52, has been tapped to fill the role; pictured in January
Last month it was announced that John Lithgow has been picked to play the new Professor Dumbledore; pictured in January
Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films, is the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts and a mentor to the titular character
Dumbledore, the fictional headmaster of Hogwarts and a mentor to the titular character, has become one of the most-beloved figures among fans of J.K. Rowling’s original books and the film series.
In early March it was revealed that Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer is ‘in talks’ to take over from the late Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation.
Janet, 63, is best-known for her role as Mary Jo Walker in the 2000 comedy Tumbleweed.
She also starred as attorney Helen Piece in the hit TV Netflix drama Ozark.