HBO Harry Potter casting Update: Nick Frost rumored to be up for Rubeus Hagrid

It's happening again. There is a hint on social media and a theory from fans and that definitely means that HBO has confirmed casting of a major player in the upcoming Harry Potter series. This time, it's not a member of the most iconic Hogwarts professors' roll, but just as important a character. Nick Frost is an intriguing contender for the role of Rubeus Hagrid, so let's discuss the rumor.

What signs do we have for the casting?

According to Deadline, Nick Frost is "poised" to take on the role and "nearing a deal." As always, HBO has declined comment and said that they "will only confirm details as we finalize details." We can't help but comment on possibilities as usual. The network still hasn't officially announced the other roles widely reported as set in stone, after all.

Nick said on his Instagram account that "It's happening, it's actually happening," following in the footsteps of rumored Albus Dumbledore John Lithgow. Fans have noticed that he now follows the three actors in talks to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape.

HBO has claimed that they will cast true to the ages of the characters in the book, which would make the 52-year-old Frost a decade too young for Hagrid, but as the character has an 11-year time jump between Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, that's not as much of a concern for this contributor. He's well known for his comedic roles in Shaun of the Dead and Doctor Who, but there is a recent role that makes him an encouraging prospect.

In 2024's Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Frost voiced the android SM-33. This shambling antique seemed to be a bit dotty, confusing timelines and selectively forgetting his own history. He turned out to be programmed for his forgetfulness and when he got to be himself, he was a gem of a character. This was Nick Frost giving kids the chance to act on their own instincts and sometimes making mistakes along the way. I wasn't fond of how he gaslit Clara Oswald as Santa Claus on Doctor Who, but I absolutely adored SM-33. We need a Hagrid who sees kids as capable and intelligent no matter their age and Nick Frost has proven that he can fill that role.

As always, we'll have to wait for HBO to make announcements before diving deeper into what an actor means for the series, but this is a step in an encouraging direction. We look forward to more details about the series, which is to be released in 2026 or 2027.