Harry Potter Series’ New Severus Snape Actor Officially Addresses Casting Backlash

Oct 31, 2026 - 23:13

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Harry Potter Series’ New Severus Snape Actor Officially Addresses Casting Backlash

Published Oct 31, 2026, 3:34 PM EDT

Rianna is the Movie News Editor for ScreenRant. After earning her BA in Film Studies, she began her career as an entertainment writer, contributing to several publications before joining ScreenRant. Her dissertation on the impact of streaming on traditional cinema sharpened her focus on the ever-evolving world of film and media. With 10 years in the industry, Rianna continues to cover the stories she loves while also advocating for awareness and representation of rare disabilities, such as Moebius Syndrome, which she lives with.

HBO's Harry Potter is facing some divisive reactions before its release.

The Harry Potter franchise began in 1997 with the release of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. What began was one of the biggest media properties in history, and it is now a multi-billion-dollar franchise. With seven novels, eight blockbuster movies, stage plays, prequels, global theme park attractions, and more, it seems the love for the Wizarding World is never-ending. Now, HBO, which is known for elaborate epic fantasy adaptations, is entering Hogwarts.

When a franchise has such a loyal fanbase, story choices and casting decisions can cause some friction. HBO's adaptation of Harry Potter has already been in hot water due to the casting of the Wizarding World's most complicated character, Professor Severus Snape. Paapa Essiedu, known for Gangs of London, has been given the role of Snape and is following in the footsteps of the late and great Alan Rickman. Essiedu has responded to the reactions to his casting in the adaptation and how he is approaching the role in an interview with TIME:

"For me, I first came to this story through the books. So people have got a lot of feelings about this. Obviously, everyone's got the right to their own opinions about whatever. I concentrate on the job at hand, which is to give as much humanity, as much depth, dimensions, layers, complexity to a character that has a lot of that. That is my job, and it's a privilege, and it's an honor to do it, and I look forward to being able to do it for a long time now."

Severus Snape lived a complicated life with a troubled upbringing, unrequited love, and a dangerous loyalty to two opposing sides, ultimately being exposed into a heartbreaking tale of loneliness.

In Harry Potter season 1, otherwise known as the Philosopher's Stone, it will introduce Snape as the menacing villain and Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The character seemingly takes an immediate and rather intense dislike to Harry Potter, with him even being accused of sabotage. However, it is later revealed he was protecting Harry in a Quidditch match against an evil threat.

Clearly, Essiedu is not bothered by the backlash he is currently facing and instead is focusing on the path with HBO's adaptation, to which he replies that he looks "forward to being able to do it for a long time." It has been made apparent that HBO plans to adapt all seven original novels into seven seasons, with season 2 already in production ahead of season 1's release.

HBO's Harry Potter season 1, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will be released on HBO Max on December 25.