Nick Frost tipped to play Hagrid in Harry Potter TV adaptation
Following confirmation of who will play Professor Albus Dumbledore
Last updated 26th Mar 2025
Following the news that there is to be a new Harry Potter TV adaptation of the world-famous books and films, rumours have been rife over who will step into the iconic shoes of some of the most loved fictional characters of all time. Following confirmation of who will play Dumbledore, it has been reported that another huge name is 'nearing a deal' to play the beloved Rubeus Hagrid.
According to Deadline, Nick Frost - who is known for his roles in timeless classics such as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz - is poised to take on the iconic role of the much-loved half-giant. Although his role is yet to be completely confirmed, the publication reports that he is 'nearing a deal' - with fans picking up on other Easter eggs over the last week.
Is Nick Frost playing Hagrid in the new Harry Potter series?
Following a cryptic post on Instagram last week (20th March) from Nick himself, which saw him gush: "It’s happening, it’s actually happening", many eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the actor's 'following' count went up... But it was who he had followed that really got them talking...
Many spotted that Nick now follows the likes of John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu - who are both set/reportedly in negotiations to join the Harry Potter series cast. With John confirmed to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, Paapa is allegedly poised to take on the role of Professor Severus Snape.
In the original Harry Potter film series, Hagrid was played by the talented Robbie Coltrane, who sadly passed away in October 2022.
Who else is in the cast?
Emmy award-winning actor John Lithgow will step into the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore, with the actor famed for playing roles in 3rd Rock From The Sun, Dexter, The Crown and more - also appearing in many well-known films such as Terms of Endearment, Footloose, Interstellar and Shrek.
As previously mentioned, Paapa Essiedu is thought to be lined up to play Snape, with the actor currently best known for his roles in the likes of Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project and Black Mirror.
The award-winning Janet McTeer - known for titles such as Damages, The White Queen, The Honourable Woman, Jessica Jones, Ozark and more - is also reportedly in talks to take on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Adding to the mystery, however, are two other names that have been thrown into the McGonagall hat - these being Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), and Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Black Widow).
John Lithgow on playing the new Dumbledore
Speaking to ScreenRant about the new role, John said: "Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid.
"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."
Speaking to Variety in early 2025, he spoke of how HBO teased a 'new' take, and his interest in Dumbledore's character development. He said: "My big question to them was ‘What is new about this? Why do more with the canon when it’s already been done so well?’ They just made it all sound very new.
"As the kids grew older (in the books), you learn more and more about Dumbledore, and he became a much more surprising, complicated character. They have described this to me, and I’ve got to discover it for myself and make it my own."
Albus Dumbledore, the iconic headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was originally played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter films - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
However, after Richard's sad death in 2002, the role was taken on by Michael Gambon, who had the role in the films between 2004 to 2011, but sadly passed away in 2023.
Who will play Harry, Ron and Hermione?
It won't come as a surprise that HBO are remaining rater tight-lipped when it comes to the central trio - however, it has been reported that a casting call was recently announced that was seeking kids who will be aged between nine and 11 in April 2025, which is conveniently when the show is scheduled to begin shooting.
What about Voldemort?
Again, HBO are keeping their cards close to their chest on that one - however we do know one person it WON'T be - and you might want to prepare to be a little bit disappointment.
In what would have been an iconic, and dare we say perfect role for the actor, rumours were recently rife that Oscar-winning Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer megastar Cillian Murphy was in the running to play the role of Lord Voldemort. Sadly, this has been debunked, and it's not just fans that have been left disappointed, with original Voldy star Ralph Fiennes also weighing in.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, the legendary Voldemort actor said: "Cillian is a fantastic actor. I actually think that's a wonderful, wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian."
When will the new series be released?
HBO Max is currently anticipating to launch the new series in 2027, with filming set to begin later this year. Find out what we know so far about the new Harry Potter TV series.
Scroll through to see the Harry Potter child actors then and now:
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel's acting career started at a young age, having made his acting debut in the TV adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield at the age of just 10. Daniel then went on to be cast as the lead role of Harry Potter, after impressing at the auditions.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel is now aged 35 and has enjoyed a successful career on stage and in films. He has taken on an array of Broadway and West End roles, including in the musical Merrily We Roll Along in 2023. Daniel's film acting career has seen him star in films including The Woman In Black, The Lost City and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
In 2023, Daniel and his girlfriend Erin Darke welcomed their first child.
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint famously portrayed Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, having been cast at the age of 11. Before starring in the films, Rupert had never acted professionally before, having appeared in school plays and local theatre productions.
Rupert Grint
Now aged 36, Rupert has gone on to enjoy a successful acting career. He has starred in films including Into The White, Charlie Countryman and Moonwalkers. Rupert has also appeared in the play Mojo and starred in the series Snatch, of which he was also executive producer.
Rupert is in a relationship with actress Georgia Groome, with the couple welcoming their daughter Wednesday in May 2020.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson was cast as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. Having previously appeared in school plays and trained with a local Stagecoach group, the films were Emma's first professional acting role.
Emma Watson
Now 34-years-old, Emma has enjoyed a successful career since Harry Potter. She has starred in a number of films, including The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Beauty and the Beast and Little Women.
In addition to her film career, Emma gained a degree in English Literature from Brown University, as well as being made a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Emma also helped to launch Time's Up UK and was appointed to a G7 advisory body for women's rights. In 2023, Emma began studying a Master's degree in Creative Writing at Oxford University.
Tom Felton
Tom Felton played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. Prior to being cast in the role, Tom had appeared in commercials as well as starring in the films The Borrowers and Anna and the King.
Tom Felton
Now 37-years-old, Tom has established a career as an actor and musician. As an actor, he has starred in films including Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Message from the King and A United Kingdom, as well as making his West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story. As a musician, Tom has released five EPs.
Tom published a memoir called Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard in 2022.
Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. Matthew's acting career started when he was just five-years-old, making his debut in the television film Some Kind of Life. Prior to taking on the role of Neville, Matthew also appeared in the TV shows Dalziel and Pascoe, Heartbeat and Where The Heart Is.
Matthew Lewis
Now aged 35, Matthew has starred in TV series including The Syndicate, Ripper Street, Happy Valley and All Creatures Great and Small. As a fan of Leeds United, Matthew also hosts a Leeds United podcast alongside former professional footballer Jermaine Beckford.
Matthew married his wife Angela Jones in 2018.
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Wright played the role of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films. Prior to starring in the films, Bonnie had no professional experience and had took part in school plays.
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie appeared in a number of independent films after Harry Potter, as well as taking on the lead role in the play The Moment of Truth. Bonnie gained a degree in Filmmaking from the London College of Communication and founded her own production company. She has directed a number of short films and music videos.
Now aged 33, Bonnie has also undertook environmental activism work. She married her husband Andrew Lococo in 2022, with the couple welcoming their first child in September 2023.
Evanna Lynch
Irish actress Evanna was 14-years-old when she was cast as Luna Lovegood. Prior to the films, Evanna had acted in school plays and had never acted professionally. Evanna suffered with the eating disorder anorexia when she was a child, explaining that the Harry Potter books had helped her.
Evanna Lynch
Now aged 33, Evanna went on to star in stage productions including The Omission of the Family Coleman and Houdini. She took part in Dancing With The Stars in 2018, finishing in third place. Evanna is an activist for veganism and animal rights, launching a cosmetics brand and podcast.
In 2021, Evanna released the book The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and Glory of Growing Up – A Memoir, which details her journey of overcoming an eating disorder.
Harry Melling
Harry Melling played the role of Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, having been cast at the age of 10.
Harry Melling
Now 35-years-old, Harry went on to star in the Netflix film The Devil All The Time, as well as playing Harry Beltik in The Queen's Gambit. He has also starred in the films The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Pale Blue Eye.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson played the role of Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter films. Prior to the film, Robert appeared in the German film Ring of the Nibelungs, the film Vanity Fair and the play Guys and Dolls.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson has enjoyed a hugely successful career since his Harry Potter days. He famously played Edward Cullen in the Twilight films, as well as appearing in films including Tenet, Remember Me and The Batman.
He is engaged to Suki Waterhouse, with the couple welcoming their first child in March 2024.
Alfred Enoch
Alfred Enoch played Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films. Dean was a student in Gryffindor who was in Harry's year, and was best friends with Seamus Finnegan. Alfred was cast in the role of Dean in 2001.
Alfred Enoch
Alfred has had a successful acting career, including playing the role of Wes Gibbins in the series How to Get Away With Murder. He has also appeared in stage productions including King Lear and Romeo and Juliet.
Now aged 36, Alfred also graduated with a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford.
Katie Leung
Scottish actor Katie Leung played the role of Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films. She auditioned for the films after her father saw an advert for a casting call.
Katie Leung
Now aged 37, Katie has gone on to star in series including Annika, The Peripheral and Strangers. She obtained a Photography degree from the Edinburgh College of Art, and studied Acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
In 2022, she welcomed her first child.
James and Oliver Phelps
Twin brothers James and Oliver Phelps played Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films. The pair had no prior acting experience, and attended an open audition.
James and Oliver Phelps
Now aged 38, James and Oliver have continued to work together on acting projects. In 2018, Oliver appeared in a stage production of The Case of the Frightened Lady, James appeared in the movie Cadia: The World Within in 2019, of which he was also associate producer.
They also host a podcast together called Normal Not Normal, where they have even interviewed fellow Harry Potter stars Alfred Enoch, Evanna Lynch and Katie Leung.
Domhnall Gleeson
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson portrayed Bill Weasley. His father, Brendan, played Alastor Moody.
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall has enjoyed a successful acting career, with roles in films including The Revenant, Brooklyn and playing General Armitage Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He also starred in the triller series The Patient, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
Devon Murray
Devon Murray played Seamus Finnegan in the Harry Potter films. Prior to Harry Potter, Devon starred in the films This Is My Father and Angela's Ashes.
Devon Murray
Devon appeared in the 2018 film Damo and Ivor The Movie. In 2021, Devon became a father, welcoming his son Cooper with his girlfriend Shannon McCaffrey.
Clémence Poésy
French actress Clémence Poésy played Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter films. Prior to this, she starred in the BBC series Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
Clémence Poésy
Clémence has enjoyed success as an actress and model. She has starred in films including Tenet and 127 Hours. She also played Eva Coupeau in Gossip Girl and Isabelle in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Clémence has three children.
Now read:
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Casting call for kids to play Harry, Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter TV series
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