Skip to main content TechRadar the technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Back to school Nintendo Switch 2 NYT Wordle today Best laptop Best web hosting Recommended reading The new Harry, Hermione and Ron have finally apparated for HBO's Harry Potter TV series 7 essential movies to stream to prepare you for Universal's new Epic Universe theme park and its lore 5 of the biggest streaming announcements from Warner Bros. 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(Image credit: HBO) HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is coming to the small screen in 2027, with filming officially beginning this week. We’ve already had one first look in the form of Dominic McLaughlin’s Harry, and now a second character has followed suit. Nick Frost’s Hagrid has already made waves on the internet, but there’s something important to bear in mind. Of course, we all love the original cast in the Harry Potter movies, including Maggie Smith (McGonagall), Alan Rickman (Snape), Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) and original Hagrid Robbie Coltrane. Yet the fact remains that in two years time we’ll have a fresh crop of famous faces in these same roles, such as Paapa Essiedu (Snape), John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Nick Frost (Hagrid), and Janet McTeer (McGonagall). Obviously, the HBO Max version can never replace who came before, and it goes without saying that the new TV show will likely feel completely different. While these are just assumptions at this stage, the first look at Nick Frost’s Hagrid could certainly blur the line between the two in the worst way. You may like The new Harry, Hermione and Ron have finally apparated for HBO's Harry Potter TV series 7 essential movies to stream to prepare you for Universal's new Epic Universe theme park and its lore 5 of the biggest streaming announcements from Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2025, from HBO Max shows to the new Superman trailer Is Hagrid in the HBO Harry Potter TV show too much like the original movie version? Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. (Image credit: Warner Bros.) Obviously, the fact that McLaughlin's Harry looks so similar to a young Daniel Radcliffe has gone down incredibly well (including with me), but the similarities in Hagrid’s past and present is slightly more unsettling. Let’s face it – we’re looking at an airbrushed version of the original in this new snap. Of course, this could be hypocritical, but there’s extra context with Nick Frost’s Hagrid. In an interview with Collider, Frost previously confirmed he was “never” going to try and be a version of Coltrane’s portrayal. “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 [Coltrane]'s amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie. 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 said. With this in mind, I wasn’t expecting Hagrid’s physical appearance to be so similar? It’s expected character descriptions will play by the book’s rules, but that doesn’t mean the TV show has to copy exactly what we saw in the movie. Arabella Stanton (Hermione) and Paapa Essiedu (Snape)’s castings are great examples of this, as is the cast of hit Broadway play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. There’s no question that I’m running before I can walk with my assessment here, but I do think the physical similarity is a hindrance rather than a help. Hagrid is arguably the most beloved adult character of the bunch, so we’ll have the highest expectations for him. Stick an identical wig and a massive beard on him, and Frost is instantly lost in Coltrane’s shadow. Clearly the differences in Hagrid will come through in his personality, but is that enough of a difference? Is there enough of a reason to reboot Harry Potter at all? Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. “I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait. He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing.” You might also like Superman's most surprising cameo has got me asking 3 big questions about James Gunn's next DCU project When might James Gunn's Superman movie be available to watch on HBO Max? IT: Welcome to Derry – everything you need to know about the new Max horror series Today's best Max deals Max Monthly With Ads at Max - United States Max Monthly Ad-Free at Max - United States Max Monthly Ultimate Ad-Free at Max - United States Jasmine Valentine Social Links Navigation Streaming Staff Writer Jasmine is a Streaming Staff Writer for TechRadar, previously writing for outlets including Radio Times, Yahoo! and Stylist. She specialises in comfort TV shows and movies, ranging from Hallmark's latest tearjerker to Netflix's Virgin River. She's also the person who wrote an obituary for George Cooper Sr. during Young Sheldon Season 7 and still can't watch the funeral episode. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. The new Harry, Hermione and Ron have finally apparated for HBO's Harry Potter TV series 7 essential movies to stream to prepare you for Universal's new Epic Universe theme park and its lore 5 of the biggest streaming announcements from Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2025, from HBO Max shows to the new Superman trailer The Marvel multiverse saga isn't over yet, but these X-Men movie casting rumors are already making me rage like Wolverine Superman cast and character guide: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and everyone else you'll see in the DC movie I’m a huge Big Bang Theory fan, but HBO Max's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe spinoff series makes me nervous Latest in HBO Max Superman's most surprising cameo has got me asking 3 big questions about James Gunn's next DCU project HBO’s Harry Potter TV show begins production, and one first-look costume is already spot-on Tracy Ifeachor exits The Pitt as Dr. Collins in shock casting shakeup, and that’s bad news for season 2 of the hit HBO Max show When might James Gunn's Superman movie be available to watch on HBO Max? 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