Close to HBOHarry PotterThe television series, which will be released in 2026, has lit a controversy storm with the launch of Paapa Essiedu, a black British actor, as Severus Snape. The headquarters of the Network has flooded with more than 30,000 fans letters that demand the elimination of ESSIEDU, citing Fidelity to J.K. Rowling’s books, where Snape is described as a “surrounding skin” and “Grasiento Black Hair.” This violent reaction, together with a growing movement urging Rowling to claim theHarry PotterThe copyright of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) reflect deep divisions within the Fandom. As the series promises a “faithful adaptation”, the casting’s debate has become a broader clash about creative control, representation and polarizing public personality of Rowling.
The casting announcement in April 2025, which also included John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid, caused immediate outrage among some fans. Snape, immortalized by Alan Rickman in the original films, is a complex character whose pale and emaciated appearance is detailed in Rowling’s novels. Critics on platforms such as X have described the casting of Essiedu as “black washing”, arguing that it deviates from the fee and runs the risk of injecting racial nuances in Snape’s background history, particularly his intimidation of James Potter. Publications in X, including one of @Kingjames8289 with more than 10,000 views, claim that the casting “adds a racial layer” to the narration, which potentially frames James’s actions as racially loaded. Others, such as @nedrotics, declared the “Doa” program due to the controversy. The volume of letters to HBO underlines the intensity of this feeling, with some fans directly pleading with Rowling, an executive producer, who intervene.
The reaction is not just about aesthetics. Some fans and commentators, including a YouTube Vlogger with 700,000 subscribers, argue that altering Snape’s race could change the subtext of the story, given its marginalized figure that binds to mortals obsessed with blood purity. However, the supporters of Essiedu, an actor acclaimed by the criticism known byI can destroy you, counteracted that your talent transcends physical descriptions. In X, fans have praised their presence on stage, and one pointed out their performance inThe effectas proof of its ability to embody Snape’s complexity. HBO has taken measures to stop vitriol, disabled comments on social networks about the casting, but the debate is enraged, echoing controversies beyond the harassment of Noma Dumezweni, a black actress who Hermione inHarry Potter and the cursed boy.
In the midst of this uproar, a parallel campaign is winning traction: fans urge Rowling to recover theHarry PotterWBD copyright. The movement, driven by dissatisfaction with the creative decisions of HBO and the continuous controversies of Rowling about its transgender points of view, seeks to restore its total control over the franchise. Publications in X and Fan Petions argue that Rowling, as a creator, is better positioned to preserve the integrity of the series. This feeling is complicated by Rowling’s polarizing statements, which have alienated some fans while galvanizing others. The HBO chief, Casey Bloys, has defended his participation, pointing out his “invaluable” contribution and citing the success ofHarry Potter-IHogwarts legacygame. However, a Yougov survey indicates that 41% of Z fans feel “less connected” to the series due to Rowling’s opinions, highlighting the fandom fracture.
HeHarry Potterseries, directed bySuccessionStudents Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod are aimed at adapting each of the seven Rowling books to a season, promising a deeper exploration of the magical world. The filming will begin this summer in Loundden Studios, with more than 32,000 children auditioning for Harry, Ron and Hermione. The casting of Essiedu, along with various hiring such as the Holly Waddington costume designer, reflects HBO’s impulse for inclusion, a movement that Rowling has previously supported, as seen in his defense of Dumezweni. However, the current reaction suggests a disconnection between HBO’s vision and a vocal segment of the fans base.
As the controversy develops, Esssiedu faces additional scrutiny to sign an open letter that supports the LGBT+community, along with stars such as Eddie Redmayne, which some fans interpret as a Rowling rebuke. Sources close to production, cited byEl Daily Mail, insist that Rowling does not flinch, seeingHarry PotterThe cultural weight is larger than any casting dispute. The success of the series depends on navigating these tensions while offering a convincing adaptation. For now, HBO remains in Essiedu, but the flood of letters and demands that Rowling’s return indicate a fandom in disagreement, dealing with legacy, change and the lasting magic of Hogwarts.
