Harry Potter’s New Hagrid Response Is A Perfect Example Of The HBO Remake’s Biggest Challenge

July 22, 2025

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HBO has officially revealed how its new Rubeus Hagrid will look in the upcoming Harry Potter remake, and the response to this is an excellent example of the series’ biggest challenge. With production officially underway, an image of actor Nick Frost in full costume as Hagrid has been released. This new version of the character looks great, but fans’ reactions haven’t been entirely positive.

Hagrid was previously played by Robbie Coltrane in the Harry Potter movies, and this actor quickly became intrinsically associated with the character. Coltrane fit the bill in every way, and given the uniqueness of Hagrid, that’s really saying something. Unfortunately, Coltrane passed away in 2022. Today, his most prominent roles, including Hagrid, remain his legacy.

Coltrane’s perfect portrayal of Hagrid means that Frost has giant shoes to fill in the upcoming Harry Potter remake (pun intended). The first look at the actor’s version of Hagrid is, so far, promising. The image reveals a Hagrid who very much fits the books’ description. We can nitpick, but, overall, Frost will look great in the Harry Potter TV show. Still, there’s a problem.

It’s A Bit Unsettling To See Nick Frost As Rubeus Hagrid

Public Response Reflects A Resistance To Replacing Robbie Coltrane

Frost may look great as Hagrid in HBO’s first-look image, but there’s something unsettling about this version of the character. Sure, his bushy hair and beard fit the bill. Frost’s green coat is unlike anything described in the Harry Potter books, but it’s still within reason regarding the sorts of things Hagrid would wear. Regardless, the image is just a bit hard to look at.

We are so used to seeing Coltrane as Hagrid that anyone else taking his place feels instantly like cosplay.

The unsettling feeling we get when looking at Frost dressed as Hagrid is not the fault of the actor or HBO’s costume department. It’s just that we are so used to seeing Coltrane as Hagrid that anyone else taking his place feels instantly like cosplay. Similar sentiments have been prevalent among critics of Frost’s image. This version simply doesn’t feel real.

Of course, seeing Frost actually play the character in the Harry Potter remake has the potential to be even more uncomfortable. We are sure to immediately clock all the ways that he is different from Coltrane. Voice and movement—almost everything will feel off. This will undoubtedly be true for all the characters, but it will be even more pronounced for those taking over for deceased actors.

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Frost’s Hagrid isn’t the only image HBO released ahead of its Harry Potter TV show. We have also had a look at what Dominic McLaughlin’s Harry Potter will look like. Interestingly, it wasn’t as uncomfortable to see this version of Harry compared to Daniel Radcliffe’s. This ultimately comes down to the fact that, unlike Radcliffe, Coltrane has passed away.

Several prominent actors from the Harry Potter film series have passed away in the years since the movies concluded. Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, and Alan Rickman’s respective characters serve as tributes to the actors who played them. This means that seeing new performers step in and take their place is all the more uncomfortable.

Robbie Coltrane smiling as Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Nick Frost addresses the confirmation that he will be playing Hagrid in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show, sharing an enthusiastic response.

This could present an immersion problem for the Harry Potter remake. Rather than being wrapped up in the magical world, audiences will be stuck grappling with the discomfort that comes from seeing these new actors step into the shoes of their predecessors.

So far, it appears that HBO is attempting to combat this by embracing some of the ways that these new stars are different.

So far, it appears that HBO is attempting to combat this by embracing some of the ways that these new stars are different. Frost’s look isn’t identical to Coltrane’s. The new actor sports a side part in the image, and his beard doesn’t come quite as far up his face as Coltrane’s did. If we assume that the first-look image depicts Hagrid when he brings Harry to Privet Drive, we can confirm the clothing is significantly different as well.

HBO’s approach in this regard is promising, since attempting to duplicate the looks of the movies will only make things more uncomfortable. However, this isn’t to say that the Harry Potter remake is avoiding the issue entirely. It will take some significant work beyond this to ensure that audiences’ initial discomfort doesn’t last long.

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The Harry Potter Remake Can’t Afford To Be Anything But Great

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter playing Quidditch

The uncomfortable effect of seeing a new actor step in to play characters like Hagrid is unavoidable. It’s going to feel unsettling regardless of how HBO handles it when it comes to recasting deceased performers. The Harry Potter remake, therefore, shouldn’t try too hard to avoid the problem. Instead, the focus must be placed on creating a truly exceptional TV series.

If HBO’s Harry Potter remake blows us away from the very first episode, we won’t have time to dwell on that uncomfortable feeling. The magic must carry us away, ensuring that we no longer see new actors stepping into familiar roles but a breathtaking story all its own. Whether HBO can achieve this remains to be seen. For now, all we can do is wait with open minds.