The casting search continues for the Harry Potter reboot on Max, and while we know that the production wants unknowns for the lead parts, the supporting adult characters are expected to be played by seasoned actors. So far we have rumors and fancasts for characters like Dumbledore and Voldemort, but HBO may have found someone to take on one major supporting character—Severus Snape.
According to THR, Paapa Essiedu is currently being eyed to play Harry’s dick of a potions master.
Here’s a look at Essiedu in Melissa McCarthy’s Genie:
Though I did post a trailer for a comedic movie, Essiedu is still pretty great with dramatic roles. He is best known for playing Kwame in HBO’s I May Destroy You.
For context, Severus Snape was originally played by Alan Rickman in the Potter movies. He spends a huge chunk of the franchise just being Harry’s meanest (sometimes downright cruel) teacher, but it’s revealed that he has a very emotional connection to Harry that some fans think is over-romanticized.
Admittedly, there is currently a ton of backlash ever since it was reported that Essiedu was being eyed for the role, and it’s for the exact reason that you would suspect. Though I think Essiedu would be a great pick, having him cast as Snape is no doubt going to result in a PR nightmare for him—just ask any POC who’s worked on Star Wars.
For now, there are people who have been calling out big companies like Disney to have systems in place to defend people of color whenever they get cast in controversial roles. This has got to me the most sensible take:
Hot take: I actually am against casting non-white people to play popular fictional characters until these studios have actionable plans to protect black people cast in these roles. I do not enjoy experiencing the digital lynching that occurs every 3 months as a cast is announced. https://t.co/dhHm2R1zRj
— 🌿 (@damitsunami) December 4, 2024
Personally, I am all for more diverse casting, and if they’re going to reboot Potter anyway, I would want it to feel as far away from the original adaptation as possible; different music, different casting choices, different everything.
The Potter series is expected to come out sometime in 2027.
