Harry Potter fans fume at ‘blackwashing’ as HBO ‘closing in’ on actor to play Snape: ‘Just horrible casting!’
Harry Potter fans have been left divided over reports that British actor Paapa Essiedu is in talks to play Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series.
The backlash comes just days after similar criticism erupted over American actor John Lithgow being cast as Albus Dumbledore.
In the film adaptions, the roles were previously portrayed by beloved actors Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon, originally Richard Harris, respectively.
According to Deadline, Essiedu, 34, is reportedly “closing his deal” to play the Potions Master Byronic hero, while Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer is in negotiations to take on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall – who had previously been portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith.
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The news of Essiedu’s potential casting has sparked outrage on social media, with many fans expressing their disapproval.
“I have nothing against Paapa Essiedu, I’m sure he’s a great actor, but… no one can do what Alan Rickman did,” wrote one fan on X.
Another added: “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,”
Others criticised the casting choice as “blackwashing” and claimed Essiedu doesn’t match Snape’s description from the books.
In the original Harry Potter books, Snape is described as having “greasy, shoulder-length black hair, a large hooked nose, and sallow skin” with “cold, black eyes”.
“Please stop with the race swapping of everything for the sake of diversity. In the case of Snape, making him black literally changes the subtext of his entire story!” a fan lamented on X.
Another fumed: “It’s a NO for me as black girl who grew up loving HP this is not the casting.”
“Dear @jk_rowling, We beg you to intervene in the casting of Severus Snape! The actor being considered is undoubtedly talented, but he does not physically match the character at all,” a third pleaded while sharing images of the authors original sketches of the character.
However, others defended Essiedu’s as a choice for Snape and shared their excitement about the news.
“Paapa Essiedu is a phenomenal actor and in another world this would be a fascinating and inspired bit of casting,” wrote one supporter on social media.
Another commented: “I love Paapa Essiedu… Saw him in The Effect at the London National Theatre a year ago and he’s too good!”
Some also pointed out that the 34-year-old is a much closer match in age to the book Snape, who was in his early 30s, compared to Rickman at his time of casting.
The controversy mirrors the recent backlash over John Lithgow’s casting as Dumbledore, with fans arguing that British characters should be played by British actors.
“I can’t understand why John Lithgow is the new Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore is British, Lithgow is from the USA,” one fan wrote on social media.
Lithgow, 79, has confirmed he will adopt an English accent for the role.