HBO’s release of the first official image of Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape in its Harry Potter TV series, set for a 2026 premiere, has unleashed a storm of protests from fans. Unveiled on April 28, 2025, the image shows Essiedu in Snape’s signature black robes, with short, dark hair and a stern expression, standing in a dimly lit Hogwarts potions classroom. Captioned “This is the Black Severus Snape” on HBO’s X account, the post aimed to celebrate Essiedu’s casting but instead ignited a fierce backlash, with fans decrying the casting as a betrayal of J.K. Rowling’s books and Alan Rickman’s iconic film portrayal.
Essiedu, a 34-year-old British-Ghanaian actor known for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, was announced as Snape in March 2025, joining a cast that includes John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Janet McTeer as McGonagall. In Rowling’s novels, Snape is described as having “sallow skin,” “greasy black hair,” and a “hooked nose,” traits Rickman embodied in the 2001-2011 films. The decision to cast a Black actor has fueled accusations of “race-swapping,” with X users arguing it deviates from the source material. One post, garnering thousands of likes, stated, “Snape’s pale, sickly look is central to his character. This is a woke rewrite.” Another claimed, “HBO’s mocking fans with ‘Black Severus Snape’—it’s disrespectful to Rickman’s legacy.”
The protests reflect a broader resistance to diverse casting in beloved franchises. Similar controversies hit Noma Dumezweni’s Black Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Halle Bailey’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Some fans have targeted Essiedu personally, with racist comments flooding X, prompting counter-campaigns like #StandWithPaapa. Supporters argue that Essiedu’s talent—evident in his Emmy-nominated roles and Royal Shakespeare Company performances—makes him ideal for Snape’s complex arc of love, betrayal, and redemption. “Paapa’s intensity will redefine Snape,” one fan tweeted. “His race doesn’t change the character’s soul.”
HBO and director Mark Mylod have defended the casting, with Mylod calling Essiedu “the best actor for Snape’s emotional depth” in a Variety interview. The series, written by Francesca Gardiner, aims to adapt Rowling’s books faithfully while exploring characters in greater detail over multiple seasons. Essiedu’s Snape, depicted at age 31 in the image, aligns with the books’ timeline, where Snape is younger than Rickman’s portrayal. The Guardian suggested that a Black Snape could add nuance to his outsider status, though it cautioned against stereotypical framing. Rowling, an executive producer, has not commented, but her past defense of Dumezweni suggests she may support Essiedu.
The “Black Severus Snape” caption, likely intended to reclaim the narrative, has been criticized as tone-deaf, amplifying the focus on Essiedu’s race. Newsweek reported that some fans interpret it as HBO taunting traditionalists, while others see it as a bold stance against racism. The controversy has also reignited debates about Rowling’s involvement, given her views on trans issues, and Essiedu’s signing of a trans rights letter in May 2025 has drawn scrutiny from both sides.
As filming begins at Leavesden Studios, the protests underscore the challenges of reimagining a cultural touchstone. Essiedu faces immense pressure to honor Snape while navigating racist vitriol, with fans split between those who demand fidelity to the books and those who champion his talent. The series’ casting of 32,000 young actors for Harry, Ron, and Hermione signals ambition, but HBO must tread carefully to unify its audience. Essiedu’s Snape could redefine a beloved character—or deepen fandom divisions—when the series debuts.
