The Harry Potter fandom has been thrown into a whirlwind of speculation following rumors that HBO may have quietly dropped Paapa Essiedu from his role as Severus Snape in the upcoming reboot of the TV series. Netizens, fueled by posts on X and various online platforms, are digging into claims that Essiedu’s purported exit stems from intense internet backlash and pressure linked to J.K. Rowling, the series’ executive producer. As of June 13, 2025, HBO has not provided official confirmation, leaving fans to piece together a puzzle of unverified reports and fervent online debates.

The controversy began when HBO announced the casting of Essiedu as Snape in April 2025, a decision that immediately sparked division among fans. Essiedu, a critically acclaimed British actor known for roles in I May Destroy You and Black Mirror , was set to play the iconic Potions master, previously immortalized by Alan Rickman in the film series. In J.K. Rowling’s books, Snape is described as having “saLlow skin,” “greasy black hair,” and a “hooked nose,” leading some fans to argue that Essiedu’s casting deviated from the source material. Social media platforms, including X, erupted with criticism, with users such as @hpmoviesnews and @thedailyhpotter amplifying rumors in early June that Essiedu “might be sacked.” The posts cited fan discontent over the perceived “race swapping,” with some claiming the casting altered the dynamics of Snape’s backstory, particularly his bullying of James Potter.

Adding fuel to the fire, Essiedu’s signing of an open letter in April 2025 supporting trans rights, alongside 400 industry professionals including Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne, clearly sympathized with Rowling’s publicized views on transgender issues. Rowling, who has faced criticism for her stance since 2020, responded to speculation surrounding Essiedu’s role on May 5, 2025, stating in X: “I do not have the power to dismiss an actor from the series and would not exercise it if I did. Despite her clarification, the rumors persisted, with some netizens interpreting her statement as a deflection rather than a definitive endorsement of Essiedu’s casting.

Internet sleuthing intensified when @fandompulse reported on June 10, 2025, that Essiedu had been “fired,” citing unverified sources. A petition to remove it appeared soon after, as the same account noted, reflecting a segment of the fandom’s resistance. However, counterposts, such as one from @WW_Direct on June 11, 2025, debunked the rumor, stating, “The rumor that he recast himself is not true.” These conflicting narratives have left fans divided, with some praising Essiedu’s talent and others questioning HBO’s commitment to a “faithful adaptation,” as promised by Warner Bros. Discovery.

HBO has remained tight-lipped, with a spokesperson reiterating in December 2024, “we will only confirm details as we finalize agreements.” This silence has allowed speculation to flourish, with fans on Reddit and TikTok dissecting Essiedu’s release in the context of wider franchise controversies. Some argue that the backlash reflects deeper issues with Rowling’s involvement, with 41% of Gen Z fans reportedly feeling “less connected” to Harry Potter because of her views, according to a YouGov survey. Others see the uproar as a reaction to Hollywood’s diversity efforts, drawing parallels to the backlash faced by Zendaya as MJ in Spider-Man or Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid .

Essiedu himself hasn’t addressed the latest rumors, though he did speak out in April 2025 about the initial reaction, expressing his gratitude for the role and the support of fans who celebrated his casting. Meanwhile, the HBO series, set to premiere in 2026, continues pre-production with a star-studded cast, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Janet McTeer as McGonagall. The show aims to adapt each of Rowling’s seven novels in one season, promising a decade-long journey.

As netizens continue their investigation, the lack of concrete evidence keeps the truth elusive. Was Essiedu fired, or are these rumors a product of fandom fervor and misinformation? The debate underscores the challenges of rebooting a beloved franchise in an era of polarized online discourse. For now, fans await HBO’s next move, hoping for clarity on Essiedu’s status and Snape’s future in this highly anticipated series. Whether the controversy will deter audiences or fuel curiosity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the wizarding world is as tumultuous as ever.