After 27 years of the Harry Potter metaverse expanding and evolving, we know that its fans are insatiable. What we didn't know, however, is how closed-minded some of them would be hearing Paapa Essiedu's name suggested to play the new Professor Snape.
Despite seven books, eight films, three prequel films, a Broadway and West End play, a Wizarding world at the Universal Studios in Orlando and a Harry Potter World at the Warner Bros studios in Watford, there is a new TV series coming to HBO in 2026.
And yes, fans are very excited about it. Rebooting Harry Potter for the small screen is not an easy undertaking – it comes with a lot of pressure, intense scrutiny from sceptical fans and a whole spate of beloved characters to recast.
The series is based on all seven books by J.K. Rowling. So far, the cast has remained largely under wraps. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Lazarus Project and I May Destroy You star, Paapa Essiedu, is one of the first actors to be offered a part.
His cv speaks for itself – Essiedu started his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012 and got his breakthrough role in Michaela Coel's hit HBO series, I May Destroy You in 2020. Since then, he has featured in Anne Boleyn, Gangs Of London, The Lazarus Project, Black Mirror: Demon 79 and Genie. He also starred in Lucy Prebble's National Theatre hit, The Effect, and most recently acted opposite Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun.
In other words, Essiedu is a demonstrably talented and critically acclaimed actor. Why, then, would anyone take umbrage with him being cast in the next Harry Potter?
Apparently, Essiedu has been offered the role of the devious and misunderstood, Professor Severus Snape, who was most famously played by the late Alan Rickman across all eight Warner Bros films.
The backlash is predictably racist and disappointing. 'Is it just me or does Paapa Essiedu not exactly look like the part...?' asked one X user, typical of the kind of 'concerns' people had.
Predictably, the 'anti-woke mob' were out in full force, all of whom seem to have forgotten that the characters being cast are magic wizards who live in a fictional castle and travel by broomstick and flying car.
They also seem to forget that, not to be morbid, Rickman is sadly no longer with us. It would be both bizarre and distasteful to have a carbon copy of him attempt to fill his shoes – if one even exists.
This is a new show with a new cast based on the same books everyone knows and loves. Fans must relinquish their loyalty to the original cast and alter their expectations if they are to enjoy the new series. That involves not hanging on J.K. Rowling's every description from the original manuscripts.
Yes, the original Professor Snape might have had 'a hooked nose' and 'sallow skin', but HBO's decision to offer Esseidu the part is merely an act of smart, conscious casting that serves to move the story forward.
What exactly would be the benefit of attempting to replicate Harry Potter in its original form? The films are still there for you to watch and enjoy at your leisure – true fans of the franchise should be willing to explore its newest iteration with an open mind.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Esseidu has not yet signed the dotted line, what a shame it would be if he was deterred by the recent online trolling.
In a statement about casting, HBO said, 'We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals.'
It beggars belief that we are still debating someone's credibility based on their race – something that has no bearing on their acting ability – in 2024.
HBO even promised that the new series would feature a diverse cast after the original films drew criticism for having an entirely white core cast. This is something we should all be celebrating – it will only make the series better, more inclusive and more distinctive.
The rest of the rumoured Harry Potter cast
While no actors have been officially cast in the Harry Potter series, the Bridge of Spies and Wolf Hall actor Mark Rylance is reportedly close to being signed to play the Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. What will fans say if he deigns to film without a sweeping grey beard?
Despite some rumours, Cillian Murphy is not in talks to play Lord Voldemort.
As for Harry, Hermoine and Ron, casting has recently opened, but it's only open for children between the ages of nine and 11 and they have to be from the UK or Ireland (supposedly because of accents). It is thought that the series plans to tackle the books one at a time, so the first season in 2026 will focus on the three wizards in the first year of Hogwarts.
How involved is J.K. Rowling in the HBO Harry Potter series?
Author J.K. Rowling is an executive producer on the series, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Bronte Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
As for the series' development, HBO CEO Casey Bloys says Rowling is 'fairly involved'. 'She was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and director, and I imagine she'll have opinions on casting. It hasn't affected the casting or hiring of writers and production staff. So we haven't felt an impact from that.'
The series is written and executive produced by Killing Eve's Francesca Gardiner. _Succession'_s Mark Mylod is also set to executive produce and direct several of the episodes.
Rowling took to X, formerly Twitter, to share her excitement. 'I'm truly thrilled to announce our director and writer, both of whom I interviewed as part of the production team. Both have a genuine passion for Harry Potter, and having read Francesca's pilot script and heard Mark's vision, I'm certain the TV show will more than live up to expectations.'
'The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom,' a further HBO statement reads, 'full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years. Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.'
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).