Paapa Essiedu, renowned for his roles in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London, is reportedly finalizing negotiations to portray Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series. This casting choice has sparked heated discussions due to Essiedu’s differing physical appearance from the character’s traditional depiction established by J.K. Rowling’s novels and the late Alan Rickman’s iconic portrayal of Snape.
Essiedu’s extensive background in theater, including acclaimed performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, positions him as a versatile actor capable of bringing depth to the complex character of Snape. The decision to cast Essiedu aligns with recent trends aimed at reimagining classic characters to reflect contemporary diversity, reflecting the increased focus on inclusivity within Hollywood.
Upon the news break, many fans of the Harry Potter franchise expressed their concerns. One notable critic, Kaizen D. A. said, "Is it because Snape cast a race transition spell or drank Polyjuice Potion? It's cool as a Black person to see Paapa having success. I get that's racially diverse casting can offer new perspectives, but this is forced." He emphasized, "Harry Potter is part of history. Many millennials’ fondest childhood memories are with these characters. Making Snape Black might help HBO’s diversity push, but it’s coming at the cost of being true to the source material.”
The upcoming series aims to be faithful to Rowling’s original novels, with Francesca Gardiner as showrunner. J.K. Rowling, who is actively involved, has made it clear through HBO’s statements, her personal views do not influence casting or production decisions. "We appreciate such high-profile series will draw rumors and speculation," said a spokesperson from HBO, indicating recognition of the heated discussions surrounding the casting.
Adding to the controversy, fans noted the physical description of Snape provided by Rowling: “a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth.” Many pointed out Essiedu, who is Black, fails to fit this description, leading to accusations of deviation from the established character due to what critics see as “woke” politics. One distraught fan stated, “When I was reading Harry Potter years ago, never did I think there should have been a brown Sri Lankan; I just enjoyed the characters and their interactions as written.”
Further complicate the narrative is the character's troubled history with James Potter, Harry's father, which could now carry unintended racial undertones, which were not present before. Another critic pondered, “Given the nature of Snape and how most respond to him, I’m afraid this could backfire and make everyone in the Harry Potter world seem racist!”
HBO is reportedly committed to creating more diverse narratives, laying out plans to showcase inclusive casting from the outset. Their past casting calls emphasized the intent to search for actors without regard to skin color, gender, sexual orientation, or ability, aiming to create representation across the board. Yet, such measures have led to significant pushback, igniting debates over the responsibility of adaptations to remain faithful to the source material.
Concerning the series, Casey Bloys, the CEO of HBO and Max Content, has expressed excitement about the project, stating it is “designed to run over a decade.” Both the legacy of Harry Potter and the urgent shifts within societal expectations for inclusivity will be at play as HBO aims to reintroduce these characters to the audience.
The role of Professor Minerva McGonagall is also reportedly being negotiated for Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer, alongside Golden Globe winner John Lithgow, who is set to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore. This adaptation promises to explore character backstories and relationships more deeply, and it’s expected to start its release on the network by late 2026 or early 2027.
Overall, as the series progresses through pre-production, audiences eagerly anticipate how Paapa Essiedu will reinterpret Severus Snape, whose legacy now intertwines with broader dialogues about representation and the fidelity of adaptations. The debates ignited by this casting selection highlight the challenges facing creators as they navigate fan expectations and societal standards of diversity. It remains to be seen how the audience will respond when the series finally airs, and whether these discussions will pave the way for more thoughtful adaptations moving forward.