Nick Frost Becomes Hagrid in First Look at HBO’s HARRY POTTER Series

HBO’s Harry Potter series adaptation is officially underway, and fans just got their first look at Nick Frostas Rubeus Hagrid. The beloved half-giant gamekeeper, originally portrayed by Robbie Coltrane in the films, now gets a fresh take from the Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz star.

The reveal comes on the heels of HBO announcing that production has officially started on the highly anticipated series, which began filming Monday at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K. The shoot is expected to run through spring 2026, setting the stage for a 2027 debut on HBO and Max.

Alongside Frost, the new generation of Hogwarts students is led by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. These three were selected from over 30,000 hopefuls who auditioned last fall.

The ensemble cast is packed with familiar names, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy.

Additional roles include Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, and Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley.

Rounding out the cast is Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.

The series is helmed by showrunner and writer Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials, Killing Eve), with Mark Mylod (Succession) directing. Gardiner and Mylod serve as executive producers alongside J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

With filming underway and a powerhouse creative team in place, HBO’s Harry Potter series promises a faithful yet reimagined take on the wizarding world, and Nick Frost’s Hagrid already looks like the perfect mix of warmth and wildness fans have been hoping for.