The recent casting of British actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has ignited a debate among fans and critics alike. Essiedu, acclaimed for his roles in “I May Destroy You” and “Black Mirror,” brings a fresh perspective to the iconic character previously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman. However, this casting choice has been met with mixed reactions, with a significant portion of the fanbase expressing concern over deviations from J.K. Rowling’s original depiction of Snape.

In the books, Snape is characterized by his sallow complexion, greasy black hair, and a generally unkempt appearance. Essiedu’s casting represents a significant departure from this image, leading some fans to question the fidelity of the adaptation to its source material.

Paapa Essiedu poses for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film ‘The Outburn’ on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 in London. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Beyond aesthetic considerations, there are deeper concerns regarding the racial dynamics introduced by this casting decision. For example, Snape’s character endures bullying and discrimination throughout his life, primarily due to his socio-economic status and known affection for Harry’s mother, Lily. Some fans fear that casting an African-American actor in this role could inadvertently introduce racial connotations to these experiences, altering the original context of the character’s struggles.

One fan noted “I’d love to see him in the show. But there are so many other characters he could play that wouldn’t be hampered by the story arc. I actually think he’d be an excellent choice for Gilderoy Lockhart. Or even Remus Lupin could be an excellent choice.”

It’s also been announced that Noma Dumezweni, an African-American actress, has been casted for the role of Hermione Granger, a decision which has faced reduced criticism given the character’s aesthetic ambiguity in the book series. Snape, on the other hand, has clearly defined features which must be weighed in the decision-making of casting.

The online community has responded with a mix of humor and outrage. Memes imagining other characters with race-swapped actors have proliferated, with one sarcastically depicting Terry Crews as Harry Potter.

The term “blackwashing” has surfaced in some critiques, with some arguing that the casting choice is an attempt to diversify the series at the expense of character and storyline authenticity–similar to the arguments that have been made in regards to the casting of African-American actress Nico Parker in the role of Astrid in the live action How to Train Your Dragon (2025) and Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023).

Conversely, supporters argue that Essiedu’s talent and the opportunity to reinterpret Snape should take precedence over strict adherence to physical descriptions. The debate extends to suggestions for alternative casting, with some fans on social media platforms proposing actors like Adam Driver or Benedict Cumberbatch, whose physical attributes more closely align with Rickman’s portrayal.

@theandalsopodcast Agree or disagree??? #harrypotter #professorsnape #paapaessiedu #hbo @sheyda ♬ original sound – theandalsopodcast


“It should be pointed out that in the first Harry Potter book Snape is supposed to be 31 years old. Alan Rickman was FIFTY-FOUR years old when he shot the first movie. And he looked like he was 60 (Love Rickman, not a slam on him, that’s just how they made him up),” Canadian film critic John Campea posted on Instagram. “Interestingly, I didn’t hear any of these people complain about Rickman being Snape despite his wildly inaccurate age. So my question is… if all you want is ‘faithfulness and accuracy to the books’, why is the tone of the actor’s skin a deal breaker for you, but a TWENTY THREE YEAR age inaccuracy was perfectly fine? Just asking.”

“I feel bad for Paapa Essiedu,” another fan posted on X. “We are about to see a huge race war with this casting & he’s just a guy taking a job.”

HBO’s adaptation aims to jumpstart a new era for the Harry Potter universe, offering a new lens through which to enjoy beloved characters and storylines. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on “His Dark Materials,” serves as the showrunner, with the book series author, J.K. Rowling, actively involved in the project. The series is slated for release between 2026 and 2027, with filming expected to commence later this year.