Nick Frost reveals to manifesting Hagrid role in 'Harry Potter' series by watching all films and writing the name 7000 times

Nick Frost says he did not stumble into the role of Hagrid by accident. He worked for it, believed in it, and wrote it into existence. The actor, best known for roles in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz,’ has revealed that he landed the role of Hagrid in HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ television series after a personal ritual that involved rewatching all eight films and writing the name “Hagrid” thousands of times. The reboot is set to debut in 2027 and will retell J.K. Rowling’s books with one season per novel.Frost shared the story in an interview with The Guardian, explaining that his connection to the wizarding world was long-standing. “I’ve seen all the films. We go through them all as a family during Christmas every year,” he said. According to Frost, the habit became more focused last year after his partner suggested he try manifesting the role.“So last Christmas, I watched all the films back to back on the Sky ‘Harry Potter’ channel, while writing out the word ‘Hagrid’ 7,000 times,” Frost told the paper. The approach worked. HBO later cast him as the beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper, a role made iconic by the late Robbie Coltrane. The actor has made it clear that he is not trying to replicate Coltrane’s performance. Speaking to Collider last year, Frost said, “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, “I always read Hagrid as he’s like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child.”The casting also drew a response from original ‘Harry Potter’ director Chris Columbus. In an interview on ‘The Rest Is Entertainment’ podcast, Columbus admitted he was conflicted after seeing set photos of Frost in costume. “I’m seeing these photographs and [Nick Frost is] wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid,” he said. “Part of me was like: What’s the point?”Columbus later told The Standard that he spoke directly to Frost about the moment. “I said, ‘This is very surreal for me. You have to understand, Robbie Coltrane and I were so close,’” he recalled.Despite the familiarity, Frost believes the long-form television format will give him room to explore the character in new ways. “The beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more,” he told Collider. “I can’t wait.”Nick Frost is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter, best known for his roles in the British comedy films known as the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy: 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004), 'Hot Fuzz' (2007), and 'The World’s End' (2013). He also co-starred in 'Paul' (2011) alongside his longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Simon Pegg.