TheHarry PotterTV show is closing in on a new Severus Snape actor in the latest casting update. In April 2023, Warner Bros. made the surprise announcement that they are adapting J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy saga into a series for HBO, with each season devoted to adapting one of the seven books.HBO’sHarry Pottershowis currently casting, with a recent report revealing that Mark Rylance is being eyed to play Hogwarts' wise and powerful Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
Now, HBO is closing in on an actor for another fan-favorite role. According toThe Hollywood Reporter,Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) is being eyed to play Professor Severus Snapein theHarry PotterTV show. The actor has been offered the role, though it’s unclear if serious negotiations have started. In a statement on Esseidu’s casting, HBO said:
We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.
What Paapa Essiedu Playing Severus Snape Means For The Harry Potter Show
The HBO Series Is Committed To A Diverse Cast
Though he hasn’t officially been cast, theHarry Potterseries eyeing Essiedu for Snape meansthey are serious about delivering on their commitment to a diverse cast. Essiedu is a British actor of Ghanaian descent who started his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, starring in productions ofKing Lear,Hamlet, andRomeo and Juliet. His breakthrough came in HBO’sI May Destroy You, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. He’s also starred in the TV showsGangs of London,The Lazarus Project,Black Mirror: Demon 79, and the moviesMurder on the Orient Express,Men, andThe Outrun.
Harry Potter TV Series: What We Know About the Remake So Far
A Harry Potter TV show is coming to HBO Max, but there is limited information on the new series.
As of now,no actors have been officially confirmedfor HBO’sHarry Potterseries. However, it was previously reported that Mark Rylance is nearing a deal to play the pivotal role of Dumbledore. The show’s popularity has sparked numerous casting rumors, though the speculation aboutCillian Murphy being cast as Lord Voldemortis inaccurate. Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in theHarry Pottermovies, recently supported the fan-casting, saying, “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian.”
Our Take On Paapa Essiedu Playing Severus Snape In The Harry Potter Show
It’s Sure To Be A Controversial, But Compelling Choice
Paapa Essiedu, a Black actor, is certainly a surprising choice for Professor Severus Snape and one that is sure to cause controversy due to race-swapping. In the books, Snape is described as having pale skin and was previously played by Alan Rickman in theHarry Pottermovies. However, regardless of race,Essiedu is an Emmy-nominated actor who undoubtedly has the abilityto embody Snape’s brooding and morally ambiguous nature, which could result in a fresh and compelling interpretation of the iconic character in HBO’sHarry Pottershow.
Harry Potter
Cast
Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
