Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 3 hrs ago
Paapa Essiedu addresses backlash over his casting as Snape
Paapa Essiedu will play Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.
He is taking over the role played in the films by the late Alan Rickman.
Since his casting was announced last year, Essiedu has faced online trolling and racially charged death threats.
He says the production team has supported him and that his priority is doing the work.
Essiedu says he is taking on the role with an open mind and has also been encouraged by messages of support.
The series retells Harry Potter’s first year at Hogwarts with a new cast, after the story was adapted for films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
The series is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on December 25, giving viewers a new television version of the wizarding story.
Paapa Essiedu has addressed backlash over his casting as Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.
He said the team has supported him and that his priority is the work.
Essiedu has faced trolling and racially charged death threats since his casting was announced last year.
He said he was proud of what he had seen of the project and praised the people working on it.
The series is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on December 25.
- Who
- Actor Paapa Essiedu, who is cast as Professor Severus Snape.
- What
- He addressed backlash over his casting in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.
- When
- He spoke to Variety at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala on Thursday.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- He discussed joining the series despite hostility around his casting and said his priority was the work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Essiedu’s casting as Snape was announced.
Essiedu spoke to Variety about the backlash and his decision to join the series.
The Harry Potter series is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max.
- Actor
- Paapa Essiedu
- Role
- Professor Severus Snape
- Series platform
- HBO Max
- Premiere date
- December 25
- Casting announcement
- Last year
What people are saying
The whole team has been so supportive of me.
Obviously, my priority is the work.
I take that mantle on with an open and full heart.
I'm really proud of what I've seen so far.