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HBO finally unveiled the first six cast members yesterday (April 14), charged with the difficult task of bringing Harry Potter back to life for their ambitious 10-year-long series.
While the announcement ended months of relentless speculation, it triggered a tidal wave of reactions online, ranging from very positive to absolutely negative.
Highlights
- Nick Frost faced backlash after being cast as Hagrid in HBO's Harry Potter series.
- Fans criticized Frost for associating with JK Rowling over her controversial views.
- Frost turned off comments on Instagram due to negative reactions about his casting.
- While the announcement was well received initially, discussion quickly turned sour.
One of the actors who reportedly found himself the target of said backlash was Nick Frost, who is set to succeed the late Robbie Coltrane as the beloved Hagrid.
While many fans were happy with the casting, a vocal segment of the internet accused him of “siding with a bigot,” referencing the franchise’s creator, JK Rowling.
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Actor Nick Frost’s Instagram has been flooded by negative comments after being confirmed for HBO’s Harry Potter
Image credits: Dave Benett / Getty
His Instagram profile—once a place where fans could express their appreciation for the actor—has now been flooded with negative comments, forcing the actor to turn off comments in his recent post celebrating the announcement.
As Bored Panda previously reported, the announcement was initially received with excitement by netizens, who shared words of encouragement with the actor as soon as it was made public.
“Great choice, he’ll definitely bring the warmth and humor Hagrid needs,” one fan wrote, with similar reactions setting Frost’s Hagrid to be one of the reboot’s most beloved characters.
Image credits: https://www.warnerbros.com/
Further endearing was Frost’s heartfelt tribute to Hagrid’s previous late actor, Robbie Coltrane, who passed away in October 2022 at 72.
“Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down,” Frost wrote on Instagram, expressing his honor at being the one chosen to carry the torch of the beloved character into the future.
View this post on Instagram
His post, however, served as a magnet for negative comments, most of which centered on his association with JK Rowling, who has become a controversial figure in recent years due to expressing her views as a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist (TERF), a branch of feminism that opposes gender ideology.
“This is so sad. Are you just going to keep turning off comments and deleting posts to avoid legitimate criticism from your fans?” one user wrote.
“If you do this HP show, you will have to answer for JK and excuse her comments for the rest of your career. Is that what you want?”
Frost was forced to turn off comments on his original post, leading netizens to fill unrelated photos with their criticism
Image credits: Dave M. Benett / Getty
Frost’s decision to turn off comments on his recent post motivated his detractors to spill their vitriol on unrelated photos in his profile, causing his entire page to be filled with criticism of his participation in the new series.
“The fact you’ve turned comments off on the previous post shows you know exactly why taking that role is a poor decision,” another wrote.
“You’ve lost the respect of millions, and I’m so disappointed in one of my favorite actors of all time.”
View this post on Instagram
The nature of the reactions contrasted greatly with the impressions more neutral netizens shared on sites such as Reddit or X, where the announcement was received positively, citing the actor’s lovable screen presence and comedic charm as a great fit for the character.
Regardless of his previous work, words like “coward,” “gross,” “bigot,” and similar attacks on the actor’s character have flooded his social media sites.
The other five actors received similar comments, but the intensity of the vitriol against Frost was unmatched
Image credits: Euan Cherry / Getty
The backlash is the result of JK Rowling expressing her belief in s*x being biological, immutable, and binary. As a result, she opposes the existence of concepts such as gender identity, self-identification, and transgenderism.
Her detractors believe her views to be transphobic and they have engaged in heated discussions with the author on social media over the matter since at least 2020.
View this post on Instagram
Adding fuel to the fire is the tension between Rowling and the three leading actors of the Harry Potter movie series, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who have publicly distanced themselves from her due to her views.
Image credits: friedgold
The HBO series is set to be one of the most ambitious projects in the television service’s recent history, aiming for up to ten years of seasons covering each of the seven franchise books.
While fans still await the main trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione to be confirmed, these first announcements gave fans a peek into the tone and direction of the show and actors a taste of the backlash they’re likely to receive as they join the cast.
“Unethical.” Negative comments kept flooding the actor’s social media
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What do you think ?
G A 9 months ago (edited)
Nick is a lovely guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him around about the time of Shaun of the Dead, and he did a double take as he said I looked so much like one of his family, he thought it WAS him! How judgemental (emphasis on the mental) loons can think it acceptable to be name calling themselves without any self reflection on their own views is quite a quandary.
Nikole 9 months ago
He’s always seemed quite lovely indeed! And it’s just a job, man. Plus people can still like the story while hating the author.
Load More Replies...
K. LNU 9 months ago (edited)
No wonder he turned the comments off - so much hate and toxicity! I get it, I'm disappointed in JK's public views too, but as an actor, that won't pay the rent/bills. If people want to "hurt" her financially (not physically), hit her in the pocketbook by not seeing the series. Stop taking your anger out on someone who just wants to work and put it back where it belongs.
Chewie Baron 9 months ago
It is possible to like the art and not the artist. Look at Caravaggio.
RS 9 months ago
LOL a slur!!! it's an abbreviation! "gender critical" is the iffy term self-determined by those trans-exclusionary feminists. Are they exclusionary of trans people? Yes? TERF stands.
Load More Replies...
Gavin Johnson 9 months ago
Separate the art and the artist. Have JK’s views stopped children from enjoying the books or films? Are we now cancelling the whole HP world? Do we want the next generation to enjoy HP or is it straight into the waste disposal with it all? JK is multi millionaire, she’s getting her royalties whatever happens. I’d rather have a quality cast doing an awesome job rather than getting some D rated actors doing a poor job of it. Personally I can’t abide her views or HP but I can see how much joy it’s brings. Crack on Mr Frost.
Simba 9 months ago
The hate should be directed to the makers and studio execs rebooting this show! We don't want it nor need it!
UKGrandad 9 months ago
Apparently a lot of people do want it, otherwise they wouldn't be making it.
Load More Replies...
Midoribird Aoi 9 months ago
Wouldn't that be any actor then who is cast for the series? They accept, so they are now accused of this? I am so confused....
Littlemiss 9 months ago
Yes pretty much. But he's being singled out. I think he looks enough like Robbie to warrant the job, hopefully he does it as well as Robbie did.
Load More Replies...
Ellinor 9 months ago
Oh but you're wrong about the last part of your message. The left is tolerant, but not towards bigotry and intolerance. Some people (like TERFS, racists, naz!s) don't fall under the "be tolerant" part.
Load More Replies...
G A 9 months ago (edited)
Nick is a lovely guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him around about the time of Shaun of the Dead, and he did a double take as he said I looked so much like one of his family, he thought it WAS him! How judgemental (emphasis on the mental) loons can think it acceptable to be name calling themselves without any self reflection on their own views is quite a quandary.
Nikole 9 months ago
He’s always seemed quite lovely indeed! And it’s just a job, man. Plus people can still like the story while hating the author.
Load More Replies... K. LNU 9 months ago (edited)
No wonder he turned the comments off - so much hate and toxicity! I get it, I'm disappointed in JK's public views too, but as an actor, that won't pay the rent/bills. If people want to "hurt" her financially (not physically), hit her in the pocketbook by not seeing the series. Stop taking your anger out on someone who just wants to work and put it back where it belongs.
Chewie Baron 9 months ago
It is possible to like the art and not the artist. Look at Caravaggio.
RS 9 months ago
LOL a slur!!! it's an abbreviation! "gender critical" is the iffy term self-determined by those trans-exclusionary feminists. Are they exclusionary of trans people? Yes? TERF stands.
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 9 months ago
Separate the art and the artist. Have JK’s views stopped children from enjoying the books or films? Are we now cancelling the whole HP world? Do we want the next generation to enjoy HP or is it straight into the waste disposal with it all? JK is multi millionaire, she’s getting her royalties whatever happens. I’d rather have a quality cast doing an awesome job rather than getting some D rated actors doing a poor job of it. Personally I can’t abide her views or HP but I can see how much joy it’s brings. Crack on Mr Frost.
Simba 9 months ago
The hate should be directed to the makers and studio execs rebooting this show! We don't want it nor need it!
UKGrandad 9 months ago
Apparently a lot of people do want it, otherwise they wouldn't be making it.
Load More Replies... Midoribird Aoi 9 months ago
Wouldn't that be any actor then who is cast for the series? They accept, so they are now accused of this? I am so confused....
Littlemiss 9 months ago
Yes pretty much. But he's being singled out. I think he looks enough like Robbie to warrant the job, hopefully he does it as well as Robbie did.
Load More Replies... Ellinor 9 months ago
Oh but you're wrong about the last part of your message. The left is tolerant, but not towards bigotry and intolerance. Some people (like TERFS, racists, naz!s) don't fall under the "be tolerant" part.
Load More Replies... You May Like
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