Nick Frost, best known for his comedic roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, has found himself in the middle of a magical storm. The British actor was recently cast in the upcoming Harry Potter television series from Max (formerly HBO Max), but not everyone in the fandom is raising their wands in celebration.
Frost has reportedly been cast to play Vernon Dursley, Harry Potter’s grumpy and hostile uncle who notoriously locked the boy wizard in a cupboard under the stairs. It’s a character fans love to hate, and apparently, some aren’t thrilled to see Frost stepping into the role.
According to early set reports, the reboot aims to take a darker, more faithful-to-the-books tone, and Frost’s version of Vernon is expected to lean more into the psychological abuse that shaped Harry’s early years. But fans are already split, some say Frost is too funny, too likeable, or just not intimidating enough to play such a universally disliked character.
As soon as the casting was announced, social media erupted. The #NotMyVernon hashtag started trending within hours on X, with users questioning the decision to cast a comedic actor in such a deeply unpleasant role.
“Nick Frost as Vernon Dursley? I love the man, but I can’t take him seriously as an abuser. This is a miscast,” one user wrote.
Others defended the decision, pointing to Frost’s often-underrated range. Fans of his dramatic work in Fighting with My Family and Sick Note argue he has the acting chops to pull it off, and might even bring an unexpected complexity to the role.
“Don’t count Frost out just because he made you laugh. If anything, he’ll make Vernon even more chilling BECAUSE he’s disarming,” another fan tweeted.
Hollywood insiders suggest the backlash might be premature. One casting agent familiar with the production told Variety anonymously, “They wanted someone who could add layers to Vernon Dursley, make him more than just a cardboard villain. Nick has surprising depth when he’s given room to explore.”
The show’s creative team, led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials), hasn’t responded to the criticism directly. However, they previously said they intend to revisit the Potterverse with “nuance, emotional realism, and layered character work,” which could explain the offbeat casting choices.
This isn’t the first time Harry Potter casting news has stirred up fandom fury. From the recasting of beloved roles to backlash over rumored diversity choices, the reboot has faced intense scrutiny since day one. Some fans are skeptical the series should even exist, believing the original films are too iconic to be touched.
But with a reported 10-year plan in place and big streaming dollars backing the project, the show is moving full speed ahead.
Production is set to begin later this year, with the Harry Potter series expected to debut on Max in 2026. The series will adapt each book into its own season, starting with The Philosopher’s Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone for U.S. fans).
For now, Nick Frost has yet to publicly respond to the backlash, but if his past roles are any indication, he’s used to facing strange situations with a little humor and a lot of heart.
So the question remains: will he surprise the skeptics or confirm their fears?