Nick Frost makes strong vow about Harry Potter TV series after backlash

Nick Frost knows he's got gigantic boots to fill.

Nick Frost makes strong vow about Harry Potter TV series after backlash
Nick Frost has made a vow to Harry Potter fans (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

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.

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‘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 star is set to play the keeper of the keys, Rubeus Hagrid (Picture: Nick Frost Instagram)