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Harry Potter fans have revealed an audacious theory that an iconic comedy duo could potentially be reunited in the new TV series.

In April 2023 it was announced that a reboot of the fantasy book series about the world-famous boy wizard was in the works at HBO.

Since then, speculation has grown over which acting legends will be cast in the beloved roles, as well as the new young actors who will play Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Now, it has been rumoured that British actor-comedian Nick Frost is nearing a deal to play the iconic role of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid originally portrayed by Robbie Coltrane, with the casting claim prompting fans to suggest a major theory for the upcoming adaptation.

As HBO continues to put together a cast for the series, it’s been claimed by Deadline that Frost is close to joining the likes of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu, who are in negotiations to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Severus Snape respectively.

However, fans of the book series believe Frost’s comedy sidekick Simon Pegg could also potentially be cast alongside him, considering their many collaborations in the past.

While HBO continues to keep a tight lip over castings, comments about Frost joining the show started to circulate online last week.

Reddit fans highlighted a cryptic post by Frost on March 20, which said: ‘It’s happening, it’s actually happening’, and also noticed that he had followed rumoured cast members Lithgow and Essiedu.

But fans were also quick to suggest that Pegg – who has starred alongside Frost in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul and The World’s End – should be cast alongside him.

Commenting on Reddit, L0ch_ness_monster said: ‘If Nick Frost is in this, then they need to find a role for his BFF Simon Pegg. He could be Filch.’

Desperate_Ad_9219 added: ‘He could be Arthur Weasley. He’s a goofy actor, but I have seen him play serious as well. So he can do both.’

Proof_Surround3856 echoed this, saying: ‘Exactly! He’d be perfect and actually portray him as the sweet yet protective patriarch of the Weasleys.’

A_man_potato also wrote: ‘Simon Pegg played Phineas Black in Hogwarts Legacy. Not a big role, but I’d be happy to see him return to play his portrait. 

‘And given that I believe WB is on record saying they want HL to tie into the show, I’d hazard a guess they’re thinking the same.’

HBO declined to comment on the casting speculation, but said in a statement reported by Deadline: ‘We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.’

Hagrid is Hogwarts’ friendly groundskeeper who eventually becomes the Care of Magical Creatures professor.

In all eight Harry Potter films, Coltrane – who passed away in 2022 – played the beloved figure.

Rumours have also so far swirled that Brett Goldstein could star as Rubeus Hagrid.

Others have thought Cillian Murphy would make a convincing Voldemort, including Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed the evil wizard in all eight films.

After starring in the AMC action drama series Badlands, Frost will next be seen in the live-action remake How to Train Your Dragon in June.

Last month, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav addressed the future of the Harry Potter TV show, revealing the intention for it to air for a whole decade.

‘When we launch Harry Potter in a year, a little over a year, we’ll have 10 consecutive years of Harry Potter, and be able to amortize that globally, around the world,’ he said, according to sports media outlet Awful Announcing. The drama is expected to launch in 2026 or 2027.

Given that Lithgow is currently 79, it means that by the time the Harry Potter TV series ends he could be in his early nineties.

Speaking about playing Dumbledore, Lithgow told Screen Rant: ‘Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.

‘But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.’

The HBO production will be filmed in the same Warner Bros Studios in the UK where the films were also shot.

The Harry Potter TV series will air on HBO Max.

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WWE legend Mick Foley suffered with memory loss after repeated concussions from wrestling.

The 59-year-old Hall of Famer, who also wrestled as Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love throughout his memorable career, is known for putting his health on the line countless times in the name of entertaining the fans.

As well as the infamous Hell In A Cell match against The Undertaker still having lingering effects, his brutal I Quit Match at the 1999 Royal Rumble against Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in also had a terrifying impact.

‘There were times when he should not have been wrestling, he should not have been cleared,’ his wife Colette recalled in the latest episode of Vice TV’s Dark Side of the Ring.

‘He’d drive around and not remember where he lived. It’s concussion on top of concussion on top of concussion.’

Wrestling veteran Jim Cornette argued: ‘He got brain damage for a f**king wresting angle on television.’

Mick’s daughter Noelle admitted she always hated the I Quit Match, and she feels like watching it was so traumatising that her brain has blocked out any memories of seeing her dad in the ring.

‘I don’t have one singular memory of my dad ever wrestling. Part of me thinks because it was traumatic to me,’ she said, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.

‘How could these 11 shots change my dad’s health? If you were to get 11 head shots, a normal person probably could have died. it’s sickening, honestly.’

She noted how CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) – which is believed to be linked to repeated head injuries and can lead to dementia – is a ‘scary’ prospect for the former world champion’s future.

‘CTE is a very scary disease. That is a long term effect of repetitive concussions and brain trauma. We don’t really know how my dad will be doing in 10, 20 years or so,’ she admitted.

Mick himself confessed he’s ‘really worried’ about how much his health could deteriorate as a result of the punishment he put himself through wrestling all over the world for WWE, ECW, All Japan Pro Wrestling and beyond.

‘If you’re wondering if I’m worried about that – yeah, yeah, yeah, really worried. Every day I worry about that,’ he said. ‘The fallout from what I’ve done – honestly, I don’t see a way out of it.’

However, he is staying bullish about his chances at trying to improve his mental capacity and maintain his health.

‘I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna try to be someone who continues to get sharper as they get older,’ he added.

He also pointed to how his live spoken word and Q&A tours are ‘like mental gymnastics’ for his mind.

However, long time friend and fellow wrestler Al Snow pointed out that his pal is still ‘paying that price’ for everything he put his body through in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He said: ‘If you’ve pushed those physical limits like Mick has, yeah, you’re definitely going to pay the price. Sadly, Mick is paying that price right now.’

Back in 2020, Mick insisted despite not having about the Hell In A Cell match, it ‘shortened’ his career and made him ‘believe in his own mortality’.

Speaking to Metro at the time he said: ‘The cell collapsing when I was chokeslammed still has fallout for me!

‘I just paid $425 to remove my bottom flipper – which are false teeth which were knocked out in that cell – and I’ll have to pay $15,000 or so to get those teeth fixed.’

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Malcolm in the Middle fans have been treated to some major news about the upcoming TV reboot, including one beloved character who’s been recast.

It’s been 19 years since the final episode of the TV sitcom aired, starring Frankie Muniz as the titular character – a highly intelligent kid who has to deal with the daily chaos of his family.

Considering the legacy it’s left over the past two decades, it’s astonishing to think that it only aired for six years and seven seasons from 2000 until 2006.

Now, it’s set to make a highly-anticipated return after years of rumours, with iconic cast members including Bryan Cranston as Malcolm’s dad Hal making a return.

While there’ll be several familiar faces alongside Frankie, 39, and Bryan, 69, one actor from the original cast won’t be joining them.

It’s been reported by Variety that Erik Per Sullivan, 33, who originally played Malcolm’s younger brother Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle, has been replaced for the revival.

Caleb Ellsworth-Clark – who’s previously starred in TV shows including Fargo and The Expanse and bears a striking resemblance to the former Dewey star – will instead take his place.

While some fans might have initially been disappointed that Erik won’t be returning, several pointed out that his absence isn’t too surprising considering his final professional acting role was in 2010.

Jane Kaczmarek, who plays the matriarch Lois in Malcolm in the Middle, previously spoke about her co-star’s decision to step away from the limelight.

‘He’s well, he’s very, very well…He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting, at all,’ she said in a 2024 interview with the YouTube channel Malcolm France.

‘He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about and he loves Charles Dickens. He’s doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, it’s not for everyone.’

Given Erik decided to move away from acting 15 years ago, several Malcolm in the Middle fans have praised the decision to have a new actor play Dewey in the reboot, rather than removing the character completely.

‘That’s pretty cool actually.he wanted out of that crazy life and it sounds like people respected it,’ a Reddit user called Oreo_ wrote in response to the news.

‘It’s a surprisingly well-cast recast,’ CollinsCouldveDucked said, while thizface,’ remarked: ‘The new dude looks just like him.’

Bobthetomatovibes said that while it’s ‘sad’ that Erik isn’t returning, ‘it makes sense if he really wants nothing to do with acting anymore’.

‘I’m glad they’re not just pretending the character doesn’t exist!’ they stated.

One Reddit user called ElGranQuesoRojo suggested that as a running gag in the revival, Malcolm’s older brother Reese – who is being reprised by Justin Berfield from the original series – should be the only one to notice that Dewey has changed, ‘and no matter how much he tries to prove it nobody will believe him’.

Christopher Masterson will also be coming back as Francis, while further cast members including Anthony Timpano, Vaughan Murae and Keeley Karsten as Malcolm’s daughter, Leah.

Malcolm in the Middle is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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A year after it first aired, the longest-ever Bluey episode will be available to watch for free in the UK.

In April last year the beloved animated childrens show released a 28-minute episode titled The Sign.

It followed Australian blue heeler puppy Bluey and her family – dad Bandit, mum Chilli and sister Bingo – as they got ready to sell their Brisbane home and prepare to move away.

Another storyline featured the upcoming marriage between Bandit’s brother Radley and Bluey’s godmother Frisky.

Some of the stars who voiced characters in the episode included Patrick Brammall, Megan Washington, Rose Byrne, Rove McManus, Deborah Mailman, and Joel Edgerton.

At the time the episode left many viewers in tears as they tuned in to the ‘emotional rollercoaster’.

‘I wasn’t expecting to cry when I got up this morning, but here we are. Have a box of tissues nearby before you start,’ user isaacjamesellison posted on IMDB.

‘Sitting here balling my eyes out. Never did I think I’d be sitting here writing a review about a kids show, but here I am. Outstanding,’ arsenalarerockers shared.

‘Bluey is not just a kids show. It’s for everyone – kids and adults alike. The Sign is an amazing episode in an already outstanding show. TV doesn’t get much better than this. I love this show,’ traviswhoughton added.

This episode – the season 3 finale – drew in an audience of nearly 2.3 million when it aired on ABC in Australia, while it was then released on Disney Plus internationally.

Now, it’s going to be available to watch for free on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer in just a few weeks.

The Sign will air on April 18, with BBC’s senior head of commissioning for CBeebies Kate Morton sharing: ‘The extended episode has already garnered so much positive acclaim and it’s the perfect Easter treat for families to watch together over Easter weekend maybe even with a chocolate egg or two.’

There will also be 13 new episodes of the series released throughout the month.

These include Ghostbasket and Surprise, which can be enjoyed alongside The Sign as part of a trilogy of Bluey episodes, with Ghostbasket going before it and Surprise after.

‘We know how much little ones and their families all over the world love Bluey, and it’s important to us that everyone across the UK has the chance to watch this global sensation,’ Kate continued.

‘That’s why we’re so proud that CBeebies is the UK home for Bluey.’

In December Bluey creator Joe Brumm announced The Sign would be his final writing credit for the show as he switched focus to working on an upcoming feature film adaptation.

It is due to be released in 2027.

The Sign will air on CBeebies on April 18, with other episodes to air and be made available on BBC iPlayer throughout the month.

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TV star Anna Maxwell-Martin shared a very cryptic answer when asked about the heavily rumoured return of Line of Duty.

The hit BBC police drama came to an end with season six in 2021, but since last year there has been consistent chatter that the show will be returning for a seventh installment.

Stars such as Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Nicola Rogerson have all addressed the potential reboot, which seems likely to be going ahead although the BBC is yet to confirm.

And now the 47-year-old star – who played DCS Patricia Carmichael – has offered her two pence about whether fans can expect a season seven – and it is the most ominous yet.

The star attended the Royal Television Society Awards on Tuesday night where she won for best leading female actor for her role in ITV drama Until I Kill You.

When asked by Metro ahead of the awards ceremony if she could offer fans any update on a potential season seven, she replied: ‘I would be killed by a sniper over there so…’

In November last year, Vicky appeared to shut down rumours of a season seven happening anytime soon in a chat with Metro, saying: ‘It’s (the rumours) hard to ignore. We all read social media and all that kind of stuff.

‘But the great thing is that people love the show and we’re truly grateful that people love it.’

And on a season seven update, added: ‘But there is no news. That is the news, no news!’

Then, like piecing together a puzzle, co-star Christina Chong revealed that she had been ‘asked about a seventh season’ and that her character, Nicola Rogers, will ‘potentially be back’, per the Mail.

Then in March, Steve Arnott actor Martin, put cold water over hopes after saying there was ‘nothing coming soon’.

He told The Sun: ‘So we’re all working and there’s nothing coming soon. It will be a sad day when people stop asking about Line Of Duty. I appreciate that people want it back.’

And added that any return would be entirely in the hands of creator Jed Mercurio.

As for Anna, the jury may still be out on Line of Duty, but things seemed more hopeful when it comes to an Amandaland cameo.

The actor didn’t appear in the hugely popular first season of the BBC spin-off drama – but that could change in season two.

‘Oh my god I’m a massive cheerleader. I love the girls. I love Lucy and Phil so much. I feel like the spin-off was so right. It sits so neatly in what we created with Motherland and that character really earning that splinter off.

‘I’m so proud of the girls, I’m so proud it’s done so well. And we were all a really close group so just really chuffed for them.’

And would she return?

‘Yeah I’ll go back and do a Tupperware party. No probs.’

The actor had a successful evening, scooping up one of the top of the awards from the night. And offered a chaotic acceptance speech along with it, as captured by the Mail.

”I’m p****d, I’ve had so many drinks, so this is going to be hard!’ later joking: ‘I’m hammered, these things go on for a long time!’.

Elsewhere on the night Rivals, Gavin and Stacey and Alma’s Not Normal all secured top accolades.

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