Nick Frost has broken his silence on being cast in HBO’s Harry Potter amid backlash surrounding J.K. Rowling’s comments about the transgender community.
Frost, who has recently starred in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, will star in another remake when he appears as Hagrid in the upcoming TV reboot of Harry Potter on HBO.
Over the years, the author has faced a large amount of criticism due to her remarks about transgender rights. Since then, several actors from the original movie series have spoken out in support of the transgender community.
She has doubled down on this despite backlash, however, stating that she would ‘never forgive’ Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
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The Shaun of the Dead star has spoken out about why he felt comfortable taking the role despite Rowling’s views.
In an interview with The Observer, Frost stated that he'd turned off comments on his social media due to the backlash he'd received for accepting the role.
When quizzed on his views and whether they differed largely from J.K. Rowling's, he said: "She's allowed her opinion, and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form."
The Hot Fuzz star went on to push back at the suggestion that the debate may overshadow the upcoming TV series, saying: "But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves."
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The debate surrounding Rowling's ongoing involvement in the Harry Potter franchise, with the author serving as an executive producer on the upcoming series, continues to prompt actors to share their stance on her controversial opinions.
Paapa Essiedu, the actor set to play the new Severus Snape, signed an open letter calling for the protection of Transgender rights in the UK, leading Rowling to comment about how she 'didn't have the power' to fire actors for holding rights different to hers, and 'wouldn't exercise it if I did'.
Tom Felton marked the latest star to speak out about Rowling, however, following the announcement he would be returning to the role of Draco Malfoy
Rather than returning to the role for the HBO reboot, he is set to star on stage in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a sequel stage play set 19 years after the end of Deathly Hallows written by Adolescence creator Jack Thorne.
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When asked about whether Rowling's views have 'impacted' him or his work, Felton said: "The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world — here I am in New York — and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter.
"She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful."
Topics: Harry Potter, JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Film, TV and Film, TV, Celebrity
Michael Slavin