Paapa Essiedu Defends Playing Snape in HBO's 'Harry Potter' Amid Backlash
Paapa Essiedu, the actor playing Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" series, is defending his decision to take the role despite the controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling. The 36-year-old opened up in a new Vanity Fair profile about his views, the abuse he has faced and why he believes in the show.
"I'm really keen not to make a kind of 'them and us' dynamic here," Essiedu said.
Essiedu on Rowling and Trans Rights
Rowling, who is an executive producer on the series, has faced criticism since 2020 for comments about gender that many have condemned as transphobic. She denies being transphobic and describes her views as pro-feminist.
Shortly after his casting, Essiedu signed an open letter supporting the transgender, nonbinary and intersex community. He told Vanity Fair he has been "super clear about my position on this topic, and that is the reason why she spoke out about me," according to Yahoo Entertainment.
He said trans people, queer people and others "have got the right to be treated with respect and dignity and safety at all times."
At the same time, Essiedu made clear he does not want to speak for the author. "I'm not really here to speak about Jo's politics or to be a mouthpiece for her," he said.
How Rowling Responded
Rowling addressed Essiedu's open letter on X in May 2025. "I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series," she wrote, adding that she would not use that power even if she had it.
She said she does not believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods over "legally protected beliefs that differ from mine," UNILAD reported.
Other members of the new cast have also addressed the controversy, and several stars from the original films have spoken out about Rowling's views. John Lithgow, who plays Albus Dumbledore, has said the series is "clearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry," and admitted he had considered quitting over the backlash. Bel Powley, who plays Aunt Petunia Dursley, has said she strongly disagrees with Rowling's views on gender.
Facing Racist Abuse and Threats
Essiedu has also faced racist abuse and death threats online since Warner Bros. Discovery announced his casting. He previously told The Times that the threats became extreme, recalling one message that said, "Quit or I'll murder you."
Some fans have also struggled to accept a new actor in the role made famous by the late Alan Rickman in the original films.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner called the racist abuse "appalling" and praised the way Essiedu has handled it. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the films, called Essiedu one of the best actors he has seen and predicted critics would change their minds once they see his work, Fiction Horizon reported.
Essiedu said he has also received plenty of support. "I got a lot of love as well," he said. "That really fuels me as much as the hate."
Why He Believes in the Show
Essiedu, an Emmy nominee for "I May Destroy You," said he believes the adaptation "has the potential to do really, really, really beautiful things." He pointed to the story's themes of forgiveness, good triumphing over evil and accepting people for who they are.
He has said he does not want to erase the earlier films or Rickman's performance, and he does not want to alienate longtime fans. Instead, he hopes to bring his own take to a character he loved as a young reader.
"And you can judge me sometime, in 2039 or whatever it is, as to whether I've been successful or not," he said.
HBO's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" premieres Dec. 25 on HBO and HBO Max. The first season will have eight episodes, with a cast that also includes Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
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