The countdown is officially on for the new Harry Potter HBO series, with the cast and crew officially beginning filming in the UK.
On Monday, HBO sent excitement levels sky-high as an image of the new titular star in full character gear, played by Dominic McLaughlin, was released, and now, a first look at Hagrid has been shared.
Comedian and actor Nick Frost, 53, sporting the lovable character’s iconic wild beard and and unkempt look, was posted on HBO Max’s social media.
The caption read: “Everyone ready? ‘ere we go! Nick Frost has walked his first day in the big boots of Hagrid on the set of the new HBO Original Harry Potter series.”
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Some Harry Potter fans argued Frost’s Hagrid should have had a distinguishable difference to Coltrane’s
Frost looks unquestionably like JK Rowling’s Hogwarts groundskeeper and teacher, Rubeus Hagrid, who was brought to life in the films by the late Robbie Coltrane.
Coltrane starred in each of the films, from 2001 to 2011, as the close friend of Harry’s, and while some fans were pleased to see Frost stepping into a carbon copy of the film’s version, others had their complaints.
Taking to the comments section of the post, the fanbase was clearly divided over the look.
“Yep, looks good. (RIP Robbie Coltrane Ofc but I think Nick Frost will do a great job in the role),” one wrote.
A second commented: “Robbie would be so proud Nick.”
Others expressed their disappointment not to see a new edition of Hagrid, with one adding: “It would be easier to found a new style for Hagrid, not only just copy and paste the old Hagrid’s style.”
“So it’s literally just a copy/paste of the original movies wtf is the point,” another disgruntled Instagram user echoed.
Others shared their doubts over the casting, with one posting: “No one will be able to do Hagrid as good as Robbie Coltrane did him. R.I.P.”
Another fan urged others to keep their negative predictions to themselves.
“If you don’t want to watch then don’t watch. Keep your hate to yourself. I’m glad social media wasn’t around when the movies were released,” they shared.
Similarly, Monday saw HBO releasing a first-look image of McLaughlin donning Potter’s signature round glasses and Gryffindor robes.
Like with the first-look at Frost, fans responding to their new protagonist had a lot to say.
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Nick Frost was confirmed a few months ago as being the new Rubeus Hagrid in the series
Many were surprised by how young the actor looked in the role, with a few noting he “looks like a baby”.
Others pointed out that Harry is supposed to 11 in the first film and that children of that age do appear young.
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The original Harry Potter cast, including Coltrane, in 2002
Referencing how the Stranger Things cast have often been critiqued for having the opposite problem, they penned: “Makes sense for the actor to be this young.
“He’ll age properly along with the production. We don’t want another Stranger Things dissonance.”
