The controversy surrounding JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter saga , has reached a new peak among her recent declarations about the new HBO series based on her work. On April 26, 2025, Rowling expressed her indignation in X when a black actor was chosen to play Severus Snape, the iconic character described in her books as a pale skin. The writer called this casting decision as a “woke” movement destined to impose an agenda of forced diversity, and announced her intention to recover the Harry Potter stories to protect the integrity of her vision. This episode revived the debate over racial representation in film adaptations and intensified criticism of Rowling for her postures.

Rowling, who has faced years of controversy over her opinions on trans rights, argued in her publication that the casting of the actor does not respect the original description of Snape, a central character in the saga. “Snape is not a story for woke experiments,” he wrote, adding that HBO’s decision reflects a “modern obsession with rewriting classic stories.” According to the author’s findings, Rowling is exploring legal options to recover the rights to the adaptation of Harry Potter , which she sold to Warner Bros. in the 1990s. However, legal experts consider that her possibilities are limited, as signed contracts give Warner Bros. and HBO extensive control creative about adaptations.

The reaction in the social circles was immediate. In X, hashtags like #RowlingVsHBO and #SnapeCasting generated thousands of interactions. Rowling’s defenders argued that the authors must strive to preserve the loyalty of their works, while their critics accused her of racism and of clinging to an obsolete vision of representation. The actor cast as Snape, whose name has not yet been officially revealed, has not been commented on publicly, but HBO issued a statement defending the casting process: “Our series seeks to honor the spirit of Harry Potter while reflecting the diversity of our current world.” The statement did not mention Rowling directly, but it reaffirmed the studio’s compromise with an inclusive vision.

This is not the first story between Rowling and the adaptations of her work. In recent years, he has addressed his discontent with certain changes in original films and with project direction such as Fantastic Beasts . The opposition to Snape’s casting adds up to a list of controversies that include criticism of actors from the original saga, such as Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, for supporting trans rights. Radcliffe, in particular, has become a firm defender of the LGBTQ+ community, which has generated public tensions with Rowling. At a recent event in Los Angeles, Radcliffe commented: “The Harry Potter books belong to fans now, not just to one person.”

The term “woke”, used by Rowling, has polarized the debate even more. For its followers, it represents a legitimate criticism of what is therefore an imposition of progressive values ​​in art. For your detractors, it is an excuse to justify prejudices. Activists like Tariq Ra’ouf, who urged boycotts against Harry Potter projects , celebrated HBO’s decision, stating that “diversity in casting is a step towards justice.” In contrast, conservative figures in entertainment, such as commentator Piers Morgan, supported Rowling, arguing that creators should keep control over their work.

The impact of this controversy on the HBO series, which plans to adapt each book at a time, is also a verse. Although Hogwarts Legacy demonstrated that boycotts don’t always affect the commercial outcome, the polarization around Rowling could complicate reception of the series. However, fans are divided: some applaud the inclusion of a black actor like Snape, providing an opportunity to revitalize the story, while others align themselves with Rowling, insisting on loyalty to the books.

Rowling, for her part, seems determined to resolve this battle. In a recent publication, he insinuated that he was willing to finance legal demands to recover his intellectual property, although he did not say how he planned to do so. As production of the series progresses, you promise to keep this fight with Harry Potter at the center of a cultural debate that transcends the fiction, tackling notions of authority, diversity and the legacy of one of the most queried sagas in the world.