The Snape Debate

I have been a fan of the Harry Potter books and films since early childhood and, as many readers will know, I’ve followed much of the production news surrounding HBO’s upcoming adaptation. I’ve also been reviewing Audible’s full-cast audiobooks, which was my first time re-reading the series in years.

However, after the speculation surrounding the gender-swapping of Voldemort’s character, I decided to step away from reporting on casting and production discussions. I thought I would simply sit back, enjoy the build-up to the series and let the finished production speak for itself.

Yet one casting decision keeps coming up among fans and continues to spark debate: Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.

In April 2025, HBO formally confirmed Essiedu’s casting in an announcement alongside several other established actors, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall and Nick Frost as Hagrid.

The role of Snape has understandably become synonymous with Alan Rickman’s iconic portrayal in the Harry Potter films. However, there is an important distinction between the film interpretation and the character described in the books.

Due to the ages of the original film cast, several members of the Marauders generation, including Snape, Lupin, Sirius and James, were portrayed as considerably older than their literary counterparts.

HBO, on the other hand, appears to be taking a more book-faithful approach to the characters’ ages. Paapa Essiedu’s casting as Snape, alongside the younger actors portraying James (Jasper Talbot) and Lily Potter (Hannah Chinn), reflects the fact that these characters were only in their early thirties when Harry began his journey at Hogwarts.

However, the most contentious aspect of Essiedu’s casting has been his ethnicity. Snape was originally written and visually described as a white character, and the decision to cast a Black actor in the role has prompted considerable discussion.

One of Snape’s earliest descriptions in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone reads:

“Professor Quirrell, in his absurd turban, was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.”

As someone whose image of the character was shaped by Stephen Fry’s narration in the audiobooks before the films, Rickman was always the closest to how I imagined Snape. However, I also know adaptations need to broaden casting opportunities for these characters as casting based on looks alone could exclude some truly talented actors from roles.

However, I was a bit disappointed by the Snape casting initially. Not because the character had been race swapped, but because I had not seen Essiedu in a role that made me think of Snape. The most memorable role of his I knew was I May Destroy You, an emotional role that made me think he’d be better suited for Lupin in a potential third season of Harry Potter.

Yet when Riz Ahmed was announced as Snape for the full-cast audio editions, I was immediately sold on that casting. Across the seven audiobooks, certain voice actors made me reimagine characters differently based on their performers — alongside Ahmed influencing my image of Snape, I also reimagined Sirius (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), Professor Quirrell (Sacha Dhawan) and Tonks (Ambika Mod). Ahmed embraced the bitter and sarcastic nature of the character brilliantly and I initially wished that Ahmed had landed the screen role.

However, with the premiere approaching, I have become more cautiously optimistic about Paapa Essiedu’s casting.

I don’t expect him to replicate Alan Rickman, nor do I think he should have to. Rickman’s interpretation will always have its place, just as Stephen Fry and Riz Ahmed have brought their own interpretations to the character.

What I want is an actor who understands Snape beyond his appearance: the bitterness, the sarcasm, the intelligence, the cruelty and the complicated history that makes him such a fascinating character.

Ultimately, I don’t need Paapa Essiedu to look like the Snape I’ve imagined for years. I need him to make me believe he is Snape.

Perhaps, once the series arrives, I’ll find myself adding another interpretation to the list of great performances that have shaped one of Harry Potter’s most complicated characters.

And if he delivers, I’ll be more than happy to admit I was wrong to doubt the casting.