Nick Frost Addresses Controversy Over JK Rowling's Views After Joining Harry Potter TV Series
Nick Frost is dismissing the suggestion that him signing up to appear in the new Harry Potter TV series is an endorsement of JK Rowling’s views on the transgender community.
Earlier this year, the Hot Fuzz actor was revealed to be playing Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid in a new TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books.
However, the project has already been shrouded in controversy due to Rowling’s repeated comments about trans people.
This has most recently included repeatedly misgendering prolific transgender public figures, and making a hefty donation to a campaign that resulted in the UK Supreme Court’s divisive ruling that the legal definition of a woman now only constitutes those assigned female at birth.
In an interview with The Observer published over the weekend, Nick said of the author: “She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.”
Asked if he worries that the controversy could “overshadow the series”, he responded: “I don’t know. 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.”
The British actor unveiled his casting as Hagrid on Instagram back in April, in a post on which he notably disabled comments.
At the same time, it was revealed that he’ll be joined in the series by Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape and Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch, while John Lithgow will play headteacher Dumbledore.
Since then, the child actors portraying Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have also been unveiled, while a host of others have since joined the series including Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
HBO – the US broadcaster behind the show – previously shrugged off controversy over Rowling’s involvement in the series as an executive producer.
A rep told Variety: “We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.
“JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”