HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series is already stirring strong emotions — and it hasn’t even begun filming. The announcement that British actor Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape in the reboot has sharply divided fans, with many taking to social media to voice opinions ranging from outrage to optimism.

Essiedu, best known for ‘Gangs of London’, steps into the iconic role made famous by the late Alan Rickman. For some, the casting of a Black actor as Snape represents a progressive reimagining of the story. Others, however, accuse HBO of prioritising diversity over authenticity.

“Snape is white in the books, so he should be white in the show. This is just DEI nonsense,” one user wrote on X, echoing concerns about perceived political agendas. Another said, “This is the worst race swap in the history of race swaps,” fearing that racial themes might overshadow the character’s original arc.

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Yet, support is building for Essiedu’s portrayal. “This is the ONLY way to give new life to this character! Alan Rickman DEVOURED the role — now Paapa can bring a different kind of depth,” one fan tweeted. Others praised the casting as “captivating” and “a revelation.”

HBO unveiled its full cast on Monday, confirming long-rumoured names like John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. The series, co-produced by Warner Bros. Television and Brontë Film and TV, promises a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, with each season covering one novel.

With over 30,000 submissions received for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the reboot is shaping up to be one of the most-watched — and most scrutinized — adaptations in recent memory. For now, all eyes are on Essiedu as he prepares to step into one of the most complex roles in the wizarding world.

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