Credit: Warner Bros.Casting for HBO’s new Harry Potter television series is well underway, and it seems the Sorting Hat has spoken once again.
The Harry Potter television series might not replace the eight films, which collectively grossed $7.7 billion worldwide—Warner Bros. has already said they’ll remain “at the core” of the franchise—but when it arrives next year, the films will become a thing of the past.
Said to be a more “faithful adaptation” of JK Rowling’s seven books, HBO plans to produce the new series over the course of a decade. Now, while it feels like casting calls have been underway for years, there’s finally been some movement on the show’s new lineup.
Recently, the Harry Potter fanbase was rocked to its core when it was announced that American actor John Lithgow (Shrek, Dexter) had been cast into the iconic role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming television series.
Dumbledore was previously played by Richard Harris (Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets), Michael Gambon (Prisoner of Azkaban through Deathly Hallows Part 2), and Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts‘ The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore).
Now, as rumors continue to swirl about other actors filling the shoes of other Wizarding World inhabitants, it seems another beloved, bushy-bearded character has been recast.
While nothing has been confirmed, Deadline has reported that well-known British actor Nick Frost, best known for starring in films such as Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007), is “nearing a deal” to play Hogwarts’ half-giant groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid.
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Previously, Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein was rumored to be playing the character in the upcoming television series. However, it looks like the Sorting Hat may be more in favor of the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew actor undergoing movie magic in order to appear 8’6” tall.
According to the article, HBO has declined to comment on Frost’s potential involvement in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, which is expected to premiere in 2026, saying, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation.”
“As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals,” they added. HBO issued the same statement when John Lithgow was in talks to be play Dumbledore, although he has since confirmed that he will be playing the character.
Fanning the flames of speculation, Frost recently posted a cryptic message on his Instagram, saying, “What a bloody lovely day! It’s happening, it’s actually happening. Stay cool.”
Frost, 52, would be perfect for the role of Hagrid, one of the most lovable characters in the Harry Potter franchise, famously brought to life by the late Robbie Coltrane in all eight films in the series. Interestingly, we even fan-cast Frost into the role ourselves back in 2023.
If you remember Frost from the 2007 mystery comedy-horror Hot Fuzz, he can do a solid “country bumpkin” accent, so he’d be able to don Hagrid’s familiar dialect with ease. Still, as Robbie Coltrane remains synonymous with the role, he has some very big boots to fill.
There’s no release date for the Harry Potter HBO series.
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