‘Harry Potter’ Debuts First Look at Nick Frost’s Hagrid

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One day following HBO’s release of the initial star photo for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, they unveiled the first glimpse of their reimagined character of Hagrid, the adored groundskeeper of Hogwarts and trusted guide to Harry Potter and his Gryffindor companions.

In the latest adaptation of Harry Potter, the character Hagrid is now played by Nick Frost, who is known for his roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Originally, Robbie Coltrane played Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series.

You can see the full image of Frost as Hagrid in costume below.

This week, it was announced that HBO has made additional casting decisions for the show. Rory Wilmot will play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson is cast as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey takes on the role of Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser will portray Garrick Ollivander. Earlier, Dominic McLaughlin was chosen to play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton for Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The cast also features John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu in the role of Professor Snape, and Nick Frost as Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid.

According to HBO, the upcoming “Harry Potter” series is a loyal portrayal of J.K. Rowling’s cherished Harry Potter books, serving both new and returning fans. It will stream exclusively on HBO Max in regions like Germany, Italy, and the UK, as well as other launch markets. The original movies will continue to be accessible for viewing globally.

In 2027, the Harry Potter TV series is scheduled to debut on both HBO and its streaming platform, HBO Max (if it’s still known as HBO Max by then).

The Best Food and Drink at Epic Universe

Burning Cheddar Bites

At the Burning Blade Tavern within the Dark Universe, I came across some intriguingly themed appetizers that were surprisingly delicious. In my opinion, these jalapeño pimento cheddar bites with sriracha ranch sauce might just be the standout savory dish from Epic Universe.

The Burning Blade Tavern’s unique theme is inspired by the windmill from the climax of the 1931 film, Frankenstein. The tavern is infamous for its flammability due to an abundance of coal, much like these cheesy nuggets that resemble this very coal.

The exterior of each bite is crisp and blackened, while the inside is filled with hot and gooey jalapeño pimento goodness. The sriracha ranch sauce adds another layer of heat and theming, making these bites a fiery delight. Contrary to the tale of Frankenstein, in this case, fire truly brings out the best flavors. These movie-inspired dishes certainly know how to deliver an over-the-top culinary experience.

Butterbeer Crepe

From My Perspective: As a devoted movie buff and die-hard Harry Potter fan, I must confess that Butterbeer takes the cake when it comes to the best creations spun off from the magical franchise. From the original beverage to its various iterations like hot and frozen butterbeer, butterbeer fudge, and an assortment of snacks, I’m a huge fan of them all! The Butterbeer crepe served at the French bistro in Epic Universe is another hit for me – it’s light, thin, and has just the right balance between sweetness and richness. It’s strange how Universal created a Wizarding World area that resembles 1920s Paris, as it doesn’t quite embody the Harry Potter vibe like Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but I can’t complain since it led to this delightful crepe!

Crimson Glazed Pork

As a dedicated cinephile, I recently indulged in a sinister feast at Das Stakehouse nestled within the Dark Universe. The eatery, rumored to be run by vampires and their entourage, delivers an authentic cinematic experience with its chilling décor and macabre plating.

The star attraction on my plate was a Crimson Glazed Pork, reminiscent of char siu-style roasted pork belly. The “crimson glaze” added an eerie resemblance to bodily fluid, yet it was merely the sweet and tangy char siu sauce. Accompanying this gory spectacle were charred green onion mashed potatoes, roasted baby carrots that appeared as if plucked straight from a gravesite, acorn squash, and crispy maitake mushrooms.

Despite the unsettling presentation, I was pleasantly surprised by the savory taste of this dish. The pork was tender and well-cooked without any actual blood, and the char siu sauce provided a delightful sweetness that perfectly balanced the deathly vibes exuding from the plate. To my relief, there was no garlic to be found – vampires would never serve garlic in their establishment!

Overall, Das Stakehouse has managed to create an unforgettable dining experience by seamlessly blending horror movie aesthetics with a delicious meal. I eagerly await my next visit!

DK Crush Float

Location: The Bubbly Barrel, located within Super Nintendo Land

Description: A delightful Banana Pineapple Soft Serve Float

My Impressions: This dessert looks like it was tailor-made for Donkey Kong! It features a towering mound of banana and pineapple ice cream, adorned with chocolate chunks and caramel popcorn, perched atop waffle cone fragments that float above a moat of pineapple soda.

Despite my personal preference for pineapple juice over soda, the rest of this dessert was truly remarkable and perfect for a hot Florida day (it would be even more satisfying if they used pineapple juice instead of soda).

Dragon Fire Chicken Spire

Location: Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel can be found in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Official Description: This dish features a creamy macaroni and cheese with Nashville-style pulled chicken, hot honey, Calabrian peppers, chimichurri, and crispy onions served in a crunchy cone.
My Impressions: I’m not entirely sure about the link to the original story, but I’m glad that they decided to include this “handwich” at Universal Epic Universe. There are three different versions available, and my personal preference is for the one filled with pulled chicken and chimichurri. The second version, featuring BBQ harissa pulled pork and peanut bacon jam, was also quite enjoyable. However, I would suggest that they could improve the experience by adding some of the toppings inside the cone as well, so that you can taste them throughout each bite.

First Light Mocktail

At Meteor Astropub, nestled within Celestial Park, you can find this unique refreshment.

Official Description: A blend of Monin blue raspberry syrup, Monin vanilla crème syrup, blue prism powder, Minute Maid blue raspberry, Sprite, and a layer of sweet cream cold foam, sprinkled with galactic sugar.

My Thoughts: With an unusual twist, my meals during this visit have been predominantly movie-themed. At Epic Universe, I paid special attention to the food and beverages in the themed lands. However, many restaurants are situated in the central, non-movie hub known as Celestial Park.

Epic Universe boasts a variety of mocktails, one of which is a shimmering green concoction inspired by the elixir that gave the Invisible Man his transparent powers in the Dark Universe section. The First Light Mocktail from the Meteor Astropub, located near Stardust Racers, stood out for me because of its sweet cream cold foam, reminiscent of the topping on Universal’s Butterbeer. Essentially, it was a liquid version of a blue raspberry lollipop, with a foam topper that tasted similar. It was extremely sweet, but any child with a serious sweet tooth (and, let’s be honest, me too) would find it delightful.

Frank & Friends Pretzel

Enjoy at De Lacey’s Cottage in Dark Universe – The Unique Frankenstein’s Monster Pretzel Experience!

Official Description: “A soft pretzel with creamy cheese dip.”

My Impressions: A soft pretzel is a roll of the dice; when it’s warm and tender, few snacks can compare. Unfortunately, they often turn out cold, hard, and excessively salted – almost inedible. However, the Frankenstein’s Monster Pretzel available at the snack stand on the path between Monsters Unchained and Burning Blade in Dark Universe is a delightful exception. It embodies everything you expect from a theme park pretzel while offering an unexpected twist – you can bite off the bolts, giving the illusion of removing them from poor Frank’s neck! My suggestion for improvement: Instead of just serving a head pretzel, offer various body parts like an arm pretzel, a leg pretzel, and even a torso pretzel. This way, I could assemble my very own Frankenstein’s Monster out of pretzels, allowing me to exclaim “It’s alive! It’s alive!” before consuming it. (I find it hard to believe that someone actually married me, and more astonishing still that they stayed married for over 15 years!)

Frankenstein Gummy Brains

Location: Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, situated in Celestial Park
Product Description: These are jelly brains, to be precise.
Personal Opinion: I wasn’t overly optimistic about these; I purchased them due to their kitschy appeal and my fondness for anything quirky. To my surprise, they were excellent: boasting the perfect gummy texture, with a tangy strawberry flavor. If brains aren’t your preference, Epic Universe offers a range of Universal Monsters candies, including Dracula gummy fangs, Creature From the Black Lagoon sour gummy fish, and Wolf Man sour stars and moons. You can find these, along with other intriguing options, at the candy store near the main entrance. I must say, when you choose to skip the enticing pastries and cakes displayed by the cashier to buy some realistic miniature brains instead, you’ll surely receive curious glances from the staff.

Gobber’s Mead

Location: Mead Hall, found within the How to Train Your Dragon area of Epic Universe
Official Description: A blend of boysenberry, blackcurrant, and vanilla with a hint of Grains of Paradise
My Take: Given that Mead Hall is the main restaurant in the How to Train Your Dragon section of Epic Universe, I decided to indulge in a taste of Viking culture. Gobber’s Mead, exclusive to Epic Universe and voiced by Craig Ferguson, was an introduction to my newfound appreciation for mead. The combination of boysenberry-blackcurrant vanilla with Grains of Paradise infusion could be tasted distinctly in this light and refreshing beverage.

Labotocotta

Location: The Stakehouse in the Dark Universe
Official Description: “Vanilla panna cotta resembling a brain, served with raspberry sauce.”
My Impressions: The Stakehouse offers two intriguingly macabre desserts. One is the Red Velvet Death, a red velvet cake adorned with puffed rice “maggots” that are uncannily lifelike. The other is this brain-like panna cotta floating in a petri dish filled with raspberry sauce. Although the Red Velvet Death looked more terrifying, the “Labotocotta” had a more delightful taste; its rich, smooth cream harmonized wonderfully with the tangy raspberry sauce. So, despite my fondness for strange movie food, I must admit that I have developed a liking for these unconventional desserts.
In comparison, the Red Velvet Death was more visually appealing (or terrifying), but the “Labotocotta” had a more enjoyable flavor. Thus, two of my favorite edible experiences in Epic Universe were these desserts that resemble brains. Given my decade-long habit of consuming peculiar movie food, it’s no surprise that this diet has taken its toll on my own brain, and I now find myself seeking alternatives to replace the damaged organ.

Red Shell Calzone

Location: Enjoy the Red Shell Calzone at Yoshi’s Snack Shack in Super Nintendo Land
Official Description: A calzone packed with Italian meat sauce and mozzarella cheese, reminiscent of a Hot Pocket.
Feedback: Colleagues found this snack unimpressive; one mentioned it tasted like a standard pepperoni pizza Hot Pocket. Yet, I found it delightful – a nostalgic bite of my college days!
Given its resemblance to a popular gaming-friendly snack, the Hot Pocket, this calzone is perfectly suited as an on-the-go treat between thrilling rides on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Mine Cart Madness. For vegetarian guests, Yoshi’s Snack Shack offers a green calzone shell option.

Snow Wraith

Trying the Snow Wraith ICEE® at Spit Fyre Grill in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Official Description: “Pina Colada ICEE® with blue raspberry syrup.”

Thoughts: Initially, I thought a themed dragon beverage should be hot, but the Spit Fyre Grill is located next to an animatronic Snow Wraith, a dragon that spits ice. The drink’s name and taste were inspired by this icy beast.

Experience: Many of the mocktails and themed drinks in Epic Universe lean towards the sweet side, catering to families and children. However, the Snow Wraith had a more balanced flavor due to the blend of sweet pineapple colada and tart raspberry syrup. Despite the 95-degree heat, I finished it off quickly, making it a truly dragon-themed experience given the intense summer heat. (The 95-degree heat really emphasized the “dragon” theme.)

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2025-07-15 18:26