{"id":10998,"date":"2026-11-02T12:47:23","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=10998"},"modified":"2026-11-02T12:47:23","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:47:23","slug":"harry-potter-snape-actor-paapa-essiedu-addresses-controversy-hbo-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/11\/02\/harry-potter-snape-actor-paapa-essiedu-addresses-controversy-hbo-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Potter’s new Snape actor Paapa Essiedu addresses controversy surrounding HBO reboot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harry Potter star Paapa Essiedu has responded to the ongoing backlash towards his casting in the HBO<\/a> series, saying he\u2019s focused on bringing \u201chumanity\u201d and \u201ccomplexity\u201d to his character rather than getting caught up in the controversy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The upcoming show is set to reboot the franchise, with season 1 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone<\/a> – due to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day. <\/span><\/p>\n

Essiedu was announced as the new Severus Snape<\/a> back in April 2025. And while he\u2019s a huge fan of the Wizarding World, the actor revealed earlier this year that he\u2019s received online abuse and even death threats online over the casting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Separately, the show has also faced ongoing scrutiny from a different corner of the fandom due to the involvement of JK Rowling<\/a>. The Harry Potter author has become an increasingly controversial figure due to her commentary on issues relating to the trans community. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

When it comes to the internet\u2019s reaction of Paapa Essiedu being cast as Severus Snape, he says he\u2019s focus is on bringing humanity and complexity to the character. <\/p>\n

\u201cI concentrate on the job at hand, which is to give as much humanity, as much depth, dimensions, layers, complexity\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/KaqK1d2N4T<\/a><\/p>\n

— TIME (@TIME) October 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n