HBO Reveals How Actor Nick Frost Will Look as Hagrid in "Harry Potter" Series

Contents:
In the first official image, the actor stands wearing a massive green coat, striped shirt, and fingerless gloves.

His long hair and thick beard instantly evoke that familiar Hogwarts gamekeeper. Based on the photos, HBO hasn't drastically changed the half-giant's look — though Frost's appearance is slightly less bulky than Robbie Coltrane's, who played Hagrid in the original film series.

What to expect from his role

The actor, known for his comedic roles in "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," seems poised to bring Hagrid a bit more lightness while preserving his essential quality — that good-natured strength.
Actor Nick Frost in a green coat with a long beard and long hair
Nick Frost as Hagrid
Source:
But the question remains: was it necessary to copy the look so precisely, or could they have taken a risk and reimagined Hagrid in a fresh way?

I appreciate the canon faithfulness, though some will definitely want more uniqueness (otherwise we'll get another "How to Train Your Dragon" situation, where absolutely everything was xeroxed without adding anything new).

But few would deny that casting as Hagrid is one of the smartest choices among the series' cast.

About the series

Filming for the first season kicked off in July at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. Production will run through spring 2026, with a release expected no earlier than late next year.
Actor Nick Frost in a blue jacket with a gold chain around his neck smiles against a backdrop display
Nick Frost off-camera
Source:
The project is structured as a series with clear organization — one season per book. This will give creators more space to explore details, characters, and storylines that didn't make it into the films.

The main roles have already been cast with Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron). Additionally, we know that Dumbledore will be played by John Lithgow, and Snape by Paapa Essiedu.

In the coming months, expect new footage and possibly (but very unlikely) the first teaser. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered which actors will play supporting characters in the series. You can read about it here, here, and here.