For every Potterhead who has been waiting for their Hogwarts letter to arrive, just hold on, because there seems to be a storm brewing in the Wizarding World. It’s HBO’s Harry Potter reboot that’s been sparking debates—and this time, it’s not about whether Ron and Hermione should’ve ended up together. Rather, the rumored casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
After HBO reportedly cast the Black British actor Paapa Essiedu as the Hogwarts professor Severus Snape, fans have been raising their wands in concern over one scene that could make or break the show. Remember Snape’s Worst Memory? Now imagine that scene with a Black Snape and a White James. Well, if you see the problem, welcome to the chaos.
HBO has reportedly cast Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show is meant to be a fresh take on J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, with an all-new cast stepping into the roles that were previously iconized by renowned actors. Now, while some fans were hoping for Adam Driver to don the black robes and greasy hair, and play Severus Snape, reports now suggest that British actor Paapa Essiedu has been reportedly cast in the role (via Deadline).
Although Paapa Essiedu is a talented actor known for his powerful performances in The Lazarus Project, his alleged casting in the HBO reboot has shaken up the Harry Potter fandom. While he can undoubtedly bring depth to Snape’s complex character, Essiedu’s casting choice has ignited a heated debate over how reimagining an entire character can be termed a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books.
Despite embracing the aspect of racial diversity in the Harry Potter cast, fans are worried that this particular casting decision could make or break the TV reboot. Especially since HBO has been experimenting with this attempt at diversity with one of the most iconic and fan-favorite characters, people are worried about how the show will handle certain key moments from the books.
Because, let’s be real, Snape’s story isn’t just about potions, cryptic one-liners, and bullying Neville into oblivion. It’s about his painful past, his love for Lily, and his lifelong resentment toward James Potter. So now, one scene, in particular, from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has fans on edge.
Fans are worried about the bullying scene from Order of the Phoenix
Well, the particular scene from Order of the Phoenix that has people screaming on social media is from the book chapter titled Snape’s Worst Memory. Remember the time when Harry was taking occlumency sessions with Professor Severus Snape and tapped into the latter’s worst memory and we realized that Harry’s father James Potter wasn’t just the cool, Quidditch-playing heartthrob everyone made him out to be? Yeah well, fans are concerned about that.
In the book, as well as in the films, Harry accidentally enters Snape’s mind only to witness how his father, Sirius, and the rest of the Marauders were ganging up on teenage Snape, flipping him upside down and exposing his underwear in front of a horrified Lily Evans. It’s a brutal moment that explains a lot about Snape’s bitterness. But here’s the problem: if the reboot recreates this scene with a White James bullying a Black Snape, things could get very uncomfortable.
Many fans fear that the context of the scene will shift from “rivalry and jealousy” to something much darker—hovering on racial violence. In today’s world, where conversations about race and representation are more crucial than ever, showing a White James tormenting a Black Snape might not land the way it was originally intended. Instead of “teenage bullying,” it could be perceived as a hate crime. And that’s a level of controversy HBO probably does not want to deal with.
Amid this chaotic situation looming over HBO, fans took to social media to express their concerns and criticize the studio for not thinking this through. Accusing HBO of raising people’s hopes over a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling‘s novels, fans addressed how the show is perhaps on the verge of rewriting this whole scene to avoid problematic implications. But sadly, it won’t be possible since this particular scene is crucial to Snape’s backstory. After all, it justified Snape’s entire persona and why he despised Harry.
Harry Potter films are currently available to watch on Max.
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