Harry Potter fans have voiced dismay at HBO's rumoured first choice to play Severus Snape in the upcoming TV series, just days after a similar furore over an American actor being cast as Dumbledore.
The new television series promises to explore the Harry Potter universe in even greater depth with an entirely new cast, and could run for as long as ten years. However, the casting choices have already sparked strong reactions from fans.
British actor Paapa Essiedu, 34, is reportedly tipped to play Severus Snape—the role famously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman in the film series, according to a source speaking to The Hollywood Reporter.
The magazine said Essiedu has already been approached, although it is “not clear if negotiations have begun in earnest.”
Fans took to social media platform X to share their thoughts about the reported casting. One user posted: "The casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape is blatant DEI nonsense, and America is beyond over it. Every single Harry Potter fan wanted Adam Driver."
Another fan wrote: "Paapa Essiedu is a good actor. I like him in The Outrun. But.... wtf is this. There is not a single thing about him that screams Snape. It's not even ‘so weird, it's interesting’, it's just horrible casting. Paapu innocent tho. Don't hate on him."
A third added: "This is so dumb, I like Paapa Essiedu but he’s NOT suitable for Severus Snape, it just makes me sad and angry. Alan Rickman managed to potray severus in a way that really brought the character to life, it was like he was literally plucked from the page…"
Earlier this week, John Lithgow confirmed he had been cast as Albus Dumbledore, a decision that also sparked controversy among the Harry Potter fandom.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Lithgow, 79, said the casting news “came as a total surprise to me.”
He said: “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.”
Despite Lithgow’s acclaimed acting career, fans expressed disappointment online at an American actor being cast in what they described as a quintessentially British role.
One fan wrote: “I can't understand why John Lithgow is the new Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter HBO series. Dumbledore is British, Lithgow is from the USA.”
Another added: “Nothing against John Lithgow, but Dumbledore and the whole Harry Potter franchise is British.”
A third posted: “I love John Lithgow. Absolutely bananas they're not hiring a British actor to play Dumbledore.”
