Paapa Essiedu Eyed to Play Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series

(Left) Paapa Essiedu in ‘May Destroy You’. Credit: Photograph by Courtesy of HBO. (Right) Alan Rickman in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. Photo: Warner Bros.

There have been rumors about development on a ‘Harry Potter’ TV series since before Warner Bros. and Discovery merged, with The Hollywood Reporter’s sources alerting it to the existence of something in the works back in 2021.

Back then, there was little information about exactly what it might be. But following an article last year on the story via Bloomberg, Warner Bros. and HBO finally confirmed that, yes, a ‘Potter’ is indeed in the works.

And now we’ve hit the recruitment stage, with Warner Bros. announcing an open casting call to find the key roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione and a wealth of speculation about who might play other main characters.

The latest to emerge is that Paapa Essiedu –– recently seen cinematically in ‘The Outrun’ opposite Saoirse Ronan and known for TV series including ‘I May Destroy You,’ ‘Gangs of London’ and ‘The Lazarus Project’ –– is the top choice to play Professor Severus Snape in the show.

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Snape, of course is the potions professor at Hogwarts and the head of Slytherin House. Throughout the book series, he and Harry are constantly at odds, as Harry’s father bullied Snape when they were both students at the school of witchcraft and wizardry. Snape also harbored an unrequited love for Harry’s mother, Lily. Snape was portrayed by the late Alan Rickman in the films.

The Hollywood Reporter, which broke word of Essiedu being considered to take on the role, cautions that no deal has been done yet.

And HBO was surprisingly quick to make sure we all know it’s still only a rumor:

“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

What’s the story of the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series?

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Here’s the official HBO statement on the show:

“The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. It will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years. Each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”

The series will be written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, who scored the job after HBO conducted an extensive search for the right showrunner. Mark Mylod is executive producing and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.

Who else has been rumored for the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series?

Mark Rylance in ‘Bridge of Spies’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Alongside Essiedu, there has been plenty of talk via Variety of Mark Rylance, an actor who has deep roots in British theatre and who has been seen in movies including ‘The BFG,’ ‘Ready Player One,’ ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘Bridge of Spies’ (for which he won an Oscar), being close to a deal to play Professor Albus Dumbledore in the series.

Dumbledore, the kindly, mysterious and powerful head of Hogwarts was played by Richard Harris in the first two films, with Michael Gambon taking over the part following Harris’ death.

And Jude Law played the younger Albus in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films (future entries for which Warner Bros. seems to have locked in a magic cabinet following lackluster box office).

Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

On the less solid side, we have Ralph Fiennes –– who was the villainous Voldemort in four of the seven ‘Potter’ movies –– suggesting someone who could take over that character (even though he’s said he’d be willing to return if asked).

Following speculation of ‘Oppenheimer’ Oscar winner Cillian Murphy taking it on, Fiennes was asked on TV show ‘Watch What Happens Live’ about the possibility. This is what he said:

“Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah.”

We’d add at this point that The Hollywood Reporter’s sources have poured cold water on the idea of Murphy even being considered right now. Which is not to say he isn’t, but that no one wants to talk yet.

The biggest issue for getting more famous –– and therefore busier –– actors involved is the commitment issue; those taking part would likely be contracted for a good 10 years or so. But we can imagine HBO conjuring hefty cash offers to name stars to entice them.

What about the J.K. Rowling issue?

(L to R) Emma Watson and J. K. Rowling at the premiere of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

‘Potter’ creator and original novelist J.K. Rowling is a big consideration here, since A) she has final say on anything adapted from the books and B) is a problematic figure given her negative views on trans people.

This was HBO’s recent statement on the issue:

“Warner Bros. has been working with J.K. Rowling and in the ‘Harry Potter’ business for over 20 years. Her contribution has been invaluable. We are proud to once again tell the story of ‘Harry Potter’ — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”

Fiennes (yes, him again) weighed in on the issue when talking to The New York Times in 2022:

“J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings. It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being. The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling. I mean, I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene, über-right-wing fascist. It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.”

When will the ‘Harry Potter’ series be on screens?

HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently said that he expects the show to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, which makes sense given that production isn’t likely to start until some point in 2025.

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger,Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ (2011). Photo: Warner Bros.