# Paapa Essiedu Cast as Snape in New Harry Potter Series Actor Paapa Essiedu addresses casting controversy and his approach to the iconic role. - **Source:** [Der Spiegel – Schlagzeilen](https://www.spiegel.de) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d4a0399f-39ed-466a-ade6-1c4b9c58220c ## New Snape Casting Announced Actor Paapa Essiedu, 36, has been cast as Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO Max. The actor initially questioned the offer, joking about his age in relation to the character. The series is scheduled to begin streaming this coming Christmas, marking a major expansion of the franchise. ## Personal Connection to Books Essiedu grew up reading the Harry Potter novels during his early teenage years. He described himself as a book-devouring child who preferred reading 700-page fantasy volumes over playing sports outside. This deep familiarity with the source material serves as his primary foundation for interpreting the complex character of Severus Snape today. ## Facing Online Hostility The casting process sparked significant controversy online, particularly regarding Essiedu's race. The actor revealed that he received death threats and faced racially motivated hostility during the announcement phase. Despite this intense backlash, he remains focused on his performance and the creative vision for the new adaptation of the beloved wizarding world. ## Respecting the Legacy Essiedu acknowledges the legendary status of the late Alan Rickman, who defined the role in the original film series. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received from those who knew Rickman personally. He views the late actor as an icon whose performance remains a significant benchmark for the character's portrayal. ## Avoiding Film Influence In a surprising admission, Essiedu stated that he never watched the original Harry Potter films during his youth. To prepare for the role, he chose to focus exclusively on re-reading the original books. He noted that he read the final installment, Deathly Hallows, so quickly that he struggled to grasp every detail. ## Addressing Fan Concerns Many long-time fans, or Potterheads, have expressed mixed feelings about the new series. Essiedu empathizes with their attachment to the existing films and books. He emphasizes that the new production is not intended to replace or invalidate the original works, which will continue to exist alongside this fresh television adaptation. ## Coexistence of Media Formats The actor advocates for a sense of coexistence between the old and new iterations of the franchise. He assures fans that the production will not result in the destruction of books or the withdrawal of DVDs. Instead, he views the series as an additional layer to the established world rather than a replacement. ## Future of the Franchise As the premiere approaches, the industry is watching how audiences respond to this reboot. The project represents a broader trend of studios revisiting nostalgic intellectual properties to engage new generations. Whether this series can successfully capture the magic of the original while offering a distinct perspective remains the central question for viewers. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/tv/harry-potter-serie-der-neue-snape-hat-die-filme-nicht-gesehen-a-d74426ad-ad1e-40e2-9d3f-4f473c355ac2#ref=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._