Nick Frost is in talks to play Hagrid in the forthcoming Harry Potter series, according to reports.
The TV series, based on the popular novels, is believed to begin filming this year. John Lithgow has confirmed he is playing Professor Dumbledore while Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu are also reported to play Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Severus Snape, respectively.
Deadline reported that the British actor, famous for his work with Simon Pegg in The Cornetto Trilogy, is “nearing a deal” to play Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant who is the gamekeeper and groundskeeper at wizarding school Hogwarts. In the hit films, he was played by the late Robbie Coltrane.
HBO, who are producing the series, declined comment, telling the outlet: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals”.
Rumours about the casting spread after fans noticed a cryptic Instagram post by Frost, who wrote: “What a bloody lovely day! It’s happening, it’s actually happening. Stay cool”. Observers noted the account had recently followed potential cast mates Lithgow and Essiedu.
Recently, Frost was part of the Star Wars universe as the voice of droid SM-33 in Skeleton Crew, and will be seen this summer as part of the live action remake of How To Train Your Dragon, playing the part of Gobber the Belch opposite co-star Gerard Butler.
In January, the actor opened up about his addiction struggles. “I knew I had to stop trying to kill myself and live the rest of my life” he recalled in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. “And to be happy. I’d never realised I could be happy before. I wanted to make a point of not dying”.