The Harry Potter fandom, once a beacon of unity, is now a battleground of division as HBO’s upcoming television reboot faces unprecedented backlash. As of May 8, 2025, over 50,000 letters have flooded HBO’s offices, demanding the removal of Paapa Essiedu, the Black British actor cast as Severus Snape. This figure, up from 30,000 just weeks ago, reflects a growing storm of controversy fueled by fans who claim Essiedu’s casting betrays the character’s description in J.K. Rowling’s novels. Compounding the chaos, reports suggest Rowling is preparing a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery to reclaim the copyright of her Harry Potter series, a move that could reshape the franchise’s future.
Essiedu, known for acclaimed roles in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London, was announced as Snape in April 2025, sparking immediate debate. In Rowling’s books, Snape is described as having “sallow skin, greasy black hair, and a hooked nose,” leading some fans to insist he is canonically white. Social media platforms like X, Reddit, and TikTok have amplified the outcry, with posts decrying the casting as “race-swapping” and accusing HBO of prioritizing diversity over fidelity. One X user wrote, “Snape is white in the books, so he should be in the show. This is DEI nonsense,” while another warned that James Potter’s bullying of a Black Snape could be misconstrued as racially charged. The hashtag #FixSnape has trended, with fans flooding HBO’s Instagram and mailing letters to its headquarters.
The backlash isn’t solely about race. Some Black and brown critics argue that casting Essiedu risks altering Snape’s narrative, particularly his use of the term “Mudblood” and his outsider status, which could take on unintended racial connotations. A Reddit user noted, “Snape’s choices should reflect his personality, not racial dynamics absent from the books.” Others recall the harassment faced by Noma Dumezweni, who endured racist abuse as Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Essiedu has already faced hateful comments, with one X post calling him “a PR nightmare.” Yet supporters defend his talent, with a fan on X stating, “Paapa Essiedu is phenomenal. This could be inspired casting if given a chance.”
HBO has stood firm, with showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praising Essiedu’s “extraordinary talent” in a statement to Deadline. The network’s decision aligns with its diverse casting, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. HBO chief Casey Bloys, addressing the controversy on The Town podcast, emphasized that the series isn’t “infused” with Rowling’s views and dismissed boycott calls, citing the success of Hogwarts Legacy. Filming is set to begin this summer at Leavesden Studios, with a premiere slated for 2026 or 2027.
Rowling’s rumored lawsuit adds fuel to the fire. Sources claim she is seeking to regain control of the Harry Potter copyright, frustrated by what she perceives as deviations from her vision. While Rowling has remained silent on Essiedu’s casting, her past legal battles—such as lawsuits against unauthorized sequels and derivative works—suggest she’s unafraid to challenge Warner Bros. In 2008, she sued over Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors for title similarity, and in 2011, she won against a plagiarized work. A successful suit could grant her veto power over creative decisions, potentially affecting Essiedu’s role and the reboot’s direction. Fans on X speculate that her legal move could embolden the letter-writing campaign, with one post predicting, “If Rowling wins, HBO will have to recast Snape.”
The controversy reflects broader tensions within the fandom. Rowling’s gender-critical views have alienated some fans, with 41% of Gen Z reporting feeling “less connected” to Harry Potter, per a YouGov poll. Essiedu’s signing of a trans rights letter, alongside stars like Eddie Redmayne and Katie Leung, further complicated matters, though Rowling stated on X, “I don’t have the power to sack an actor, nor would I if I did.” The series, billed as a “faithful adaptation,” faces the challenge of balancing canon with modern inclusivity.
As the letter count climbs, HBO’s reboot is at a crossroads. Essiedu’s casting could redefine Snape for a new generation or deepen the franchise’s fractures. With Rowling’s legal action looming, the wizarding world’s future hangs in the balance, proving that even magic can’t escape real-world strife.
