HBO casting Snape as Black in Harry Potter reboot draws criticism

HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot is making waves with its latest casting decision: British-Ghanaian actor Paapa Essiedu, known for his standout performances in I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, will take on the iconic role of Severus Snape.

While many fans are praising the move as a bold step toward inclusion, others are raising concerns about what they see as forced racial diversity and how it may unintentionally alter the character’s background.

Critics of the casting argue that transforming Snape into a Black character adds new racial implications to his backstory, especially his history of being bullied by James Potter and the Marauders at Hogwarts — a white James Potter tormenting a Black Severus Snape. What was once a morally gray school rivalry now risks being read through a racial lens. Without meaning to, the story introduces the dynamic of racial power imbalance into a narrative that originally centered on social exclusion, not race.

James Potter bullying the only black student at hogwarts in the 70’s yeah sounds like a good idea https://t.co/wPz2mAoStn pic.twitter.com/ml1MTP7HED

— NoSoyDany (@_NoSoyDany) March 7, 2025

James Potter and Co weren't nice to Snape but this casting will fundamentally change the whole point of those characters if you give their bullying a racist undertone. https://t.co/mleXnS1bgb

— dr. a (@academicsheep) April 14, 2025

HBO will have a very bad reputation by the time they are on Prisoner of Azkaban!

Here me out.

Neville is afraid of Snape, hence his boggart is: Snape. Who comes out of a wardrobe? Snape... who now happens to be black.

Neville is afraid of a black man.  pic.twitter.com/JzZWCG2hAS

— BlabberingCollector (@BlabberingC) March 21, 2025

I can't wait to see James Potter and his other white friends to bully Snape, who is now black. I wonder how that'll go!

Leviosa... pic.twitter.com/2JKDl8bH1G

— Pacosith (@Pacosith) April 14, 2025

Critics have also pointed out that instead of race-swapping a central character, the series could have explored the stories of existing Black characters already present in J.K. Rowling’s universe—such as Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, and Kingsley Shacklebolt—who were often underdeveloped in both the books and films.

Paapa Essiedu should not have been cast Severus Snape in the Harry Potter TV series.

Why not focus on expanding actual black characters like Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan or Kingsley Shacklebolt? pic.twitter.com/VMI5y8KXce

— Goat Herder 101  (@BillyGoat838) April 14, 2025