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Nick Frost is ready to put his own spin on Hagrid.
The Shaun of the Dead actor, 53, has been cast as the disheveled, lovable gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter series adaptation, less than three years after Robbie Coltrane — who originally played the character in the film series — died at age 72. Though Frost recognizes he has big shoes to fill, he told Collider he plans to put his own spin on the character.
“You get cast because you’re going to bring something to that. While I’m really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie’s amazing performance, I’m never going to try and be Robbie,” Frost said.
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He continued, “I’m going to try to do something, not “different” — I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter — but within that, there’s scope for minutia.”
While reading the books, Frost interpreted Hagrid as “a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child,” which he hopes to explore in his representation of the character. Unlike Coltrane, Frost has the benefit of working within a television series, so he expects there will be more room for him to expand on the gamekeeper’s character.
“He’s funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike,” he added. “That’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Frost is also thrilled to be a part of such a magical set. He’s already started the process of “head sculpts” and other special effects measures. Also, as a lifelong cinema fan, he said it’s a thrill to experience.
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The Harry Potter series’ cast thus far also includes Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton as Harry, Ron and Hermione, respectively, as well as John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Filch.
