Actor Nick Frost spoke about his preparations for the position of Rubeus Hagrid within the upcoming Harry Potter reboot
Nick Frost will play the position of Rubeus Hagrid within the upcoming Harry Potter TV collection
In an interview with Collider, the 53-year-old actor opened up about what it means to inherit such an iconic position — and the way he’s approaching it with each reverence and individuality.
“You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that,” Nick defined. “While I’m really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie [Coltrane]’s amazing performance, I’m never going to try and be Robbie. I’m going to try and do something, not ‘different,’ I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there’s scope for minutia,” he added.
For Nick, the emotional layers of Hagrid — the lovable mixture of fierce protector and childlike innocence — provide a wealthy canvas to work with. “I always read Hagrid as he’s like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can’t wait. He’s funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That’s what I’m planning on doing,” he mentioned.
Despite the inevitable comparisons to Robbie’s beloved portrayal, Nick appears undeterred. His focus lies in honoring the spirit of the character whereas exploring the finer particulars — the “minutia” — {that a} longer-form adaptation permits.
Filming the collection received’t be an off-the-cuff dedication, both. As Nick famous, every season may stretch near a 12 months. “Ten or eleven months a season,” he shared — a critical time funding, however one he’s clearly prepared for. “I’m just so excited to get going. I’ve gone in to do head sculpts and have your hand stand and stuff, and they say, ‘Oh, have a look at this.’ And you’re like, ‘Wow. That’s the coolest thing.’ I love films. I’ve loved cinema my whole life, so to be part of that universe now and that they’re showing me, like, a dancing mushroom, it’s like, ‘That is so cool!’” he added.
Production on the HBO collection is anticipated to kick off this summer season at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The solid additionally consists of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow steps into the position of Dumbledore, with Paapa Essiedu taking over Snape and Janet McTeer portraying McGonagall.
