Credit: HBOHBO’s Harry Potter has been mired in controversy since it was announced. Initially, criticism focused largely on the idea of remaking such a beloved franchise, especially given that the last film in the series had only been released in 2011 (Deathly Hallows — Part 2).
Soon enough, though, trans activists began boycotting the project due to J. K. Rowling, who had become vocal regarding her views on gender identity on social media.
The Casting of Severus Snape
Things took an even uglier turn last year when Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror) was cast as Severus Snape.
Essiedu was one of several actors announced at the time, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall.
Since then, dozens more names have been added to the series’ ensemble cast, including Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton, who play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively.
Related: Report: HBO Pulls Back on ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise Expansion
Harry Potter Casting Backlash
None, however, have faced the same harsh criticism as Essiedu, a Black actor who’s stepping into the role of a character brought to life in the films by the late Alan Rickman.
Since Essiedu’s casting was announced, many Potter fans have voiced their disappointment largely because Snape is described as White in Rowling’s books (the author herself has also described Snape in such a way that strongly implies that he’s White). Those fans also grew up with watching Rickman brilliantly portray the double-agent Potions Master on screen.
As such, it would be unfair to label all criticism as “racist.” After all, it’s obvious why some fans are confused and frustrated by the casting, especially with the series being touted by the studio as a “faithful adaptation” of the books.
What HBO and Warner Bros. ought to have added is that, while the show will adapt several elements from the pages that never made it to the big screen, some characters’ portrayals will differ so as to set it apart from the films.
Not only that, but actors are chosen for their skills and talents. Why can’t a White character like Snape be portrayed by a Black actor?
Unfortunately, other fans have been outright racist about the casting. And now, those reactions have amplified following the official trailer, which premiered online last Wednesday (March 25). Everything from YouTube videos to memes and AI-generated content poking fun at Essiedu’s iteration of the character have been flooding social media.
Sadly, a lot of this “content” has eclipsed the arrival of the trailer for many fans.
First Official Look at Essiedu’s Snape
The trailer gives us our first look at Snape, who can be seen with his wand raised in a dark corridor. An image of him out in the snow in a zip-up jacket — which has also led to backlash from fans as it’s not the character’s usual wizarding attire — was also shared by HBO.
Essiedu Makes Shocking Revelation
While online trolls have been vocal about the casting since it was announced, Essiedu recently shocked fans by admitting that he’s been on the receiving end of vile death threats.
“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,'” he shared with The Times before the trailer premiered. “The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.'”
Essiedu is “pretty sure” he’s not going to be murdered, but added that this comment could “age badly.” He also insisted that “nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.” “Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter,” he said. “And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally.”
The I May Destroy You actor said that the abuse “fuels” him. “The abuse fuels me. And makes me more passionate about making this character my own, because I think of how I felt as a kid.”
He added, “I would imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That’s motivation to not be intimidated by someone saying they’d rather I died instead of doing work I’m going to be really proud of.”
Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Film Trio Could Return for ‘Deathly Hallows’ Ending in HBO Series
Security Tightened on Harry Potter Set
It was reported that, amid the threats, HBO has tightened security on the set of the new Harry Potter. HBO CEO Casey Bloys told Variety that the production has a “serious security team” while alluding to Essiedu’s experience with death threats on social media, saying:
“With all actors on any kind of big IP shows — and this is obviously one of those where you’ve got, you know, passionate fans, people with a lot of opinions — it can get scary in places. So for any show like that, we anticipated it and tried to have training, you know, best practices in terms of social media and how to handle it. And obviously, we’ve got a serious security team. So unfortunately, it was something that we thought might happen and we just try to be as careful as we can.”
Last year, Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, called out racist fans while describing Essiedu as “one of the best actors” he’s ever seen in his life.
“Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist,” Isaacs said at FanExpo Denver (via Collider), adding, “All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They [the fans] will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what [Paapa] does on screen.”
Related: ‘Harry Potter’s Snape Isn’t the Only Character Who’s Been “Race-Swapped”
J. K. Rowling Controversy
This isn’t the only controversy Essiedu has been drawn into regarding the new series.
Last year, following the U.K. Supreme Court’s divisive ruling on biological sex — which Rowling famously celebrated with a selfie on X (formerly Twitter) — Essiedu signed an open letter condemning the outcome.
Some fans took the opportunity to demand that Rowling fired the actor as a result. However, she said that she doesn’t “have the power to sack an actor from the series” and “wouldn’t exercise” that right if she did:
“I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine. pic.twitter.com/nKcAl3gcvO
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 5, 2025
Related: ‘Harry Potter’s New Voldemort Actor Will Surprise Fans, First Official Teaser Arrives
More Changes to the New Snape Revealed
On a more positive note, there are, of course, those who are in support of Essiedu’s casting, with countless fans excited to see what the Gangs of London actor can bring to the role of Severus Snape.
In a new interview with Esquire, Essiedu described the show’s production design as “completely insane” and explained how he had an embarrassing accident while filming, saying, “There’s an episode with a lot of Quidditch, and my character has to fly a broom. They built a whole stadium for that, and I saw one of the scenes where Harry has to fly and they’ve got wires. Then I had to do mine, and my broom was on the end of this big mechanical arm.”
“I was doing it, and it’s not particularly comfortable, but whatever. Then I fell off, and I was hanging off my broom,” he continued. “The thing that was actually humiliating about it is that nobody laughed. Everyone had a poker face. Being in a room of silent staring people as you’re hanging off a broom is not a good vibe.”
While Snape does referee a Quidditch match in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book, the text doesn’t outright confirm that he’s on a broom, making this an entirely new scene that continues to frame Snape in a completely different light in the HBO series.
Essiedu also admitted in the interview that he’s never seen the films, which means his performance as Snape is highly unlikely to mirror Alan Rickman’s in any way. When asked about his difference in approach to the character, he said it’s hard to answer given that he hasn’t watched the films, but feels “lucky [to have] more space and time to invite in other bits of the books, and to tease out other dimensions of the character.”
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
The first season, officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, boasts an extensive supporting cast that also includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. Warwick Davis reprises his role in the series, returning as Filius Flitwick.
HBO’s Harry Potter is written and executive-produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (HBO’s Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve). J. K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films are also onboard as executive producers. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres on HBO on Christmas 2026. The series consists of eight episodes.
What do you think about Paapa Essiedu being cast as Snape? Do you like the official trailer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!