Nick Frost says ‘some people won’t like’ his Hagrid in new Harry Potter TV series – UK Times

Nick Frost has admitted that “some people won’t like” his performance as Rubeus Hagrid in the new Harry Potter TV series.

The Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz star will succeed the late Robbie Coltrane in the role of Hagrid, Harry’s giant wizard friend, in the series of TV adaptations of JK Rowling’s bestsellers. The series launches on HBO on Christmas Day, and has been beset by intrigue and controversy since its announcement.

In a new interview, Frost said that he had attempted to honour Coltrane’s performance in the role while adding his own flavour to it.

“I’ve tried to take what Robbie did and honour that … but also I’ve got eight hours here each series, while Robbie had two and a half – there has to be a bit more to him,” Frost told The Times. “So: he’s from Bristol. He’s nice, a bit quiet.”

Frost added that he drew in part from his uncle, named Emy, who “never grew up” after being diagnosed with scarlet fever as a child in the 1950s. He also said that he drew inspiration from Michael Clarke Duncan’s “huge, violent but childlike” character in the Stephen King adaptation The Green Mile.

“Some people won’t like it,” Frost said. “They’ll go, ‘Not my Hagrid.’ And that is all right.”

Frost previously spoke about joining the world of Harry Potter when asked for comment on Rowling, who has repeatedly come under fire for various comments about gender ideology. Many, including stars of the Potter film adaptations, have accused her of transphobia.

While John Lithgow, who will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, called the backlash to his casting “odd”, Frost said that he understood the blowback but reiterated that he did not agree with Rowling’s views.

“She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine – they just don’t align in any way, shape or form,” he said last year. He added that he thought the controversy “shouldn’t blow over”, adding: “We shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.”

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Frost’s opinion echoed that of Paapa Essiedu, who will play Severus Snape. Shortly after his casting was announced, the actor was among the hundreds of TV and film professionals who signed a letter calling for industry action on trans rights. After Essiedu’s appearance as a signatory on the letter, an “insider” told MailOnline that Rowling would “not be bothered one iota by Essiedu’s decision – and wouldn’t dream of intervening to get him sacked, despite being heavily involved in the project”.

Addressing this report X/Twitter, Rowling wrote: “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”

Rowling has become ostracised from many of the stars of the Potter movies, notably Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, due to her views on trans rights – and she previously said she would not forgive the actors for criticising her opinions, telling them to “save their apologies”.

The Harry Potter series continues to cast up ahead of production beginning on the show’s second season, which will adapt the second novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Last week, the comic actor Peter Serafinowicz was announced to be playing the fan-favorite role of Peeves the Poltergeist, a character left out of the original films.

Other cast members include Janet McTeer as head of Gryffindor House Minerva McGonagall, Paul Whitehouse as Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy.

More than 30,000 young actors auditioned for the show’s three main characters of Harry, Hermione and Ron, the roles ultimately cast with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout, respectively.

Last month, Gracie Cochrane, the young actor set to play Ginny Weasley in the show’s first season, unexpectedly dropped out, forcing the series to recast the role for season two and beyond.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO Harry Potter series after season one,” the actor’s family said in a statement at the time. “Her time as part of the Harry Potter world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience. Gracie is very excited about the opportunities her future holds.”

HBO said in a statement: “We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show. We wish Gracie and her family the best.”

The series is expected to run for a decade, with each season based on one of Rowling’s seven books.