The announcement of Paapa Essiedu being cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series has sparked a storm of reactions across social media. The role, which was famously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman in the films, has long been associated with Rickman’s iconic portrayal. Fans of the franchise are divided, with some expressing strong opposition to the casting choice, particularly due to Essiedu’s Black ethnicity, while others are excited about the fresh take on the character.
The news of the casting, confirmed by HBO as part of the highly anticipated Harry Potter series adaptation, has ignited intense discussions online. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) shared their disappointment, saying, “HBO just officially killed their show in the womb. Snape is white in the books, so he should be white in the show. This is just DEI nonsense. Imagine how it will look when white James Potter bullies Black Severus Snape.” This sentiment was echoed by others who felt the change was unnecessary, calling it the “worst race swap in modern history.”
On Reddit, some users expressed doubts about the decision. One user mentioned, “I’m not against race swapping a character, but Snape is such a bad candidate. The books describe his appearance so vividly.” Another questioned whether Essiedu’s casting was a deliberate attempt to shake things up or if he was simply the best actor for the role. Despite the criticism, there were also fans who defended the choice, stating that the new casting might bring a unique perspective to Snape’s character, particularly in exploring themes of alienation and anger.
On the other hand, some fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see Essiedu’s portrayal of Snape. One enthusiast commented, “This is the ONLY way to give a new life to this character! Alan Rickman was legendary, but Paapa Essiedu can bring something fresh. Adding layers of anger and complexity to Snape, particularly with the dynamics of racism, is a bold and interesting direction.” Another expressed confidence in Essiedu’s performance, saying, “Paapa Essiedu is going to shock the world with how well he portrays Snape.”
HBO’s new Harry Potter series, which will introduce a whole new generation to the magical world, has begun to take shape. The cast list for key roles has now been officially revealed, confirming some fan speculations and including several surprises. Alongside Essiedu’s Snape, John Lithgow, known for his role in The Crown, will portray Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer, famous for Tumbleweeds, will play Minerva McGonagall. Nick Frost, of Shaun of the Dead fame, will step into the role of Hagrid. Additional cast members include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
The casting news has followed an extensive open casting process that attracted over 30,000 submissions for roles such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The series is expected to stay faithful to J.K. Rowling’s original books, with the show exploring every corner of the wizarding world. Fans can expect the series to bring new adventures to both old and new audiences alike.
