‘Harry Potter’s New Severus Snape Actor Officially Addresses Casting Backlash

Published Nov 2, 2026, 10:49 AM EST

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Severus Snape is, perhaps, the most divisive character in the entire Harry Potter canon. Despite his last book babyface turn, to use some wrestling parlance, the deep and twisted history of the Hogwarts potions master is one for the ages and still inspires discussion and debate 20 years later. And on screen, Alan Rickman is the figure for a generation of fans, but times change, and with HBO preparing to introduce an entirely new generation of witches and wizards, somebody was always going to have to inherit those rather intimidating black robes. The man stepping into the potions dungeon knows he's facing a mammoth task, but he wants fans to know that he's focusing on Snape's character, not expectations.

Paapa Essiedu, who will portray Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter television series, has — speaking with TIME — actor acknowledged that fans have strong feelings about the character, and his casting, but he's desperate to do justice to the character, as he explained:

For me, I first came to this story through the books. So people have got a lot of feelings about this. Obviously, everyone's got the right to their own opinions about whatever. I concentrate on the job at hand, which is to give as much humanity, as much depth, dimensions, layers, complexity to a character that has a lot of that. That is my job, and it's a privilege, and it's an honor to do it, and I look forward to being able to do it for a long time now.

Exclusive · Personality Quiz THE SORTING HAT — WHICH HARRY POTTER HOUSE WOULD YOU BE IN? The Sorting Hat Sees All Every witch and wizard who passes through the Great Hall is sorted by the qualities they hold most dear. Ten questions stand between you and your true house. Answer honestly — the Hat can tell when you’re lying.

🦁Gryffindor

🐍Slytherin

🦅Ravenclaw

🦡Hufflepuff

PLACE THE HAT ON YOUR HEAD →

01

You hear a strange noise coming from a forbidden corridor after curfew. What do you do?What calls to you in the dark?

AGrab your wand and investigate immediately. Someone could be in trouble. BInvestigate quietly and alone. Knowledge of what’s hidden there could be very useful. CResearch the corridor first. There’s probably a reason it’s forbidden, and you want to know what. DTell a trusted friend and go together. Safety in numbers, and it’s no fun alone.

NEXT →

02

A professor offers you a rare opportunity, but accepting it means letting down a friend. What do you do?Ambition vs. loyalty — a timeless test.

ATurn it down. Your friends come first, always. BTake it. Your friend would do the same, and opportunities like this don’t come twice. CFind a creative solution that lets you do both. There’s always another way if you think hard enough. DTalk to your friend honestly and figure it out together. Communication solves most things.

NEXT →

03

You find an ancient spellbook with powerful magic — some of it dangerous. How do you handle it?Power, wisdom, caution, or principle?

ATurn it in to a professor. Dangerous magic shouldn’t be floating around. BKeep it hidden and study the useful parts. Knowledge is power, and this is a rare find. CRead every page carefully. Understanding dangerous magic is the best defense against it. DShare it with friends you trust. Something this important shouldn’t be one person’s secret.

NEXT →

04

A classmate is being bullied by someone more powerful. You barely know the victim. What do you do?What moves you to act?

AStep in immediately, even if it means making an enemy. It’s the right thing to do. BFind a way to undermine the bully without putting yourself at risk. Be strategic. CReport it to a professor. The system exists for a reason — use it. DBefriend the victim afterwards. What they need most right now is someone in their corner.

NEXT →

05

Which quality do you most want to be known for?What you value most reveals your deepest nature.

ABravery. When things go wrong, I want to be the person who stands up. BResourcefulness. I want to be the person who always finds a way. CWisdom. I want to be the person who truly understands. DKindness. I want to be the person people trust completely.

NEXT →

06

Your team is losing badly in a high-stakes competition. What’s your move?Pressure reveals character.

ARally everyone with a bold speech and lead by example. Momentum is everything. BExploit the other team’s weakness. There’s always a gap if you’re watching closely enough. CPause and rethink the strategy entirely. Doing the same thing harder won’t work — you need a new plan. DFocus on keeping morale up. A team that trusts each other can come back from anything.

NEXT →

07

You catch a friend cheating on an important exam. What do you do?Rules, relationships, and right and wrong.

AConfront them directly. If they’re your real friend, they can handle the truth. BSay nothing. It’s their risk to take, and reporting them gains you nothing. CStruggle with it, but ultimately the integrity of the exam matters. You report it anonymously. DTalk to them privately and offer to help them study instead. They clearly need support.

NEXT →

08

What do you fear most?Your deepest fear says everything about your deepest values.

ABeing a coward when it matters. Failing to act when someone needs me. BBeing ordinary. Living a life where I never reached my full potential. CBeing ignorant. Making decisions based on incomplete understanding. DBeing alone. Losing the people who matter most to me.

NEXT →

09

Centuries from now, how would you want to be remembered at Hogwarts?The portrait on the wall — what does it say?

AAs someone who fought for what was right, no matter the personal cost. BAs someone who achieved greatness and left a lasting mark on the wizarding world. CAs someone who discovered something extraordinary — a truth no one else could see. DAs someone who was truly good — a person who made others’ lives better just by being there.

NEXT →

10

The Sorting Hat whispers: “I see everything you are and everything you could become. Tell me — what matters to you above all else?”The final question. Answer from your soul.

AThe courage to do what’s right, even when I’m terrified. I’d rather be brave for one moment than safe for a lifetime. BThe drive to become who I’m meant to be. I won’t settle, and I won’t apologize for wanting more. CThe pursuit of understanding. The truth is more beautiful and more important than comfort. DThe people I love and the bonds I’ve built. Everything else is just noise without the people beside you.

THE HAT HAS DECIDED →

THE SORTING HAT HAS SPOKEN YOU BELONG IN…

🦁

“Where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.”

You lead with your heart and your gut. When something is wrong, you can’t just stand there — you have to act, even when the odds are terrible and the smart move is to walk away. You’re the person people look to in a crisis, not because you’re fearless, but because you move forward when you’re afraid. Your moral compass is loud, your loyalty is fierce, and your courage can be reckless — but the world needs people like you.

Values: Courage, chivalry, determination, standing up for what’s right
Watch out for: Recklessness, a hero complex, and leaping before you look
Famous Gryffindors: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall

🐍

“Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends.”

You have a vision for your life, and you’re not going to let politeness or convention stand in the way. You’re strategic, perceptive, and deeply ambitious — not necessarily for power itself, but for the freedom and influence that come with being exceptional. You read rooms, you play the long game, and you don’t waste energy on fights you can’t win. People underestimate your depth at their own risk.

Values: Ambition, resourcefulness, determination, self-preservation
Watch out for: Isolation, ruthlessness, and mistaking cunning for wisdom
Famous Slytherins: Severus Snape, Merlin, Regulus Black, Horace Slughorn

🦅

“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.”

Your mind is your greatest asset, and you know it. You’re drawn to ideas, puzzles, and the kind of deep understanding that most people don’t have the patience for. You question everything — not to be difficult, but because accepting easy answers feels dishonest. You value originality, creativity, and intellectual independence. The library isn’t just a building to you — it’s a sanctuary.

Values: Wisdom, creativity, learning, intellectual curiosity
Watch out for: Overthinking, detachment, and valuing being right over being kind
Famous Ravenclaws: Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Garrick Ollivander, Cho Chang

🦡

“Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.”

You are the heart of every group you belong to. You don’t need to be the hero of the story — you need the people in the story to be okay. Your loyalty isn’t performative; it’s bone-deep. You show up, you do the work, and you treat people with a decency that the wizarding world desperately needs more of. You’re not soft — you’re strong in the way that actually holds everything together.

Values: Loyalty, patience, fairness, hard work, kindness
Watch out for: Being taken for granted, avoiding conflict, and forgetting your own needs
Famous Hufflepuffs: Newt Scamander, Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Pomona Sprout

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

The Sorting Hat - Which Harry Potter House Would You Be In?

Exclusive · Personality QuizTHE SORTING HAT — WHICH HARRY POTTER HOUSE WOULD YOU BE IN?The Sorting Hat Sees AllEvery witch and wizard who passes through the Great Hall is sorted by the qualities they hold most dear. Ten questions stand between you and your true house. Answer honestly — the Hat can tell when you’re lying.

🦁Gryffindor

🐍Slytherin

🦅Ravenclaw

🦡Hufflepuff

PLACE THE HAT ON YOUR HEAD →

01

You hear a strange noise coming from a forbidden corridor after curfew. What do you do?What calls to you in the dark?

AGrab your wand and investigate immediately. Someone could be in trouble.BInvestigate quietly and alone. Knowledge of what’s hidden there could be very useful.CResearch the corridor first. There’s probably a reason it’s forbidden, and you want to know what.DTell a trusted friend and go together. Safety in numbers, and it’s no fun alone.

NEXT →

02

A professor offers you a rare opportunity, but accepting it means letting down a friend. What do you do?Ambition vs. loyalty — a timeless test.

ATurn it down. Your friends come first, always.BTake it. Your friend would do the same, and opportunities like this don’t come twice.CFind a creative solution that lets you do both. There’s always another way if you think hard enough.DTalk to your friend honestly and figure it out together. Communication solves most things.

NEXT →

03

You find an ancient spellbook with powerful magic — some of it dangerous. How do you handle it?Power, wisdom, caution, or principle?

ATurn it in to a professor. Dangerous magic shouldn’t be floating around.BKeep it hidden and study the useful parts. Knowledge is power, and this is a rare find.CRead every page carefully. Understanding dangerous magic is the best defense against it.DShare it with friends you trust. Something this important shouldn’t be one person’s secret.

NEXT →

04

A classmate is being bullied by someone more powerful. You barely know the victim. What do you do?What moves you to act?

AStep in immediately, even if it means making an enemy. It’s the right thing to do.BFind a way to undermine the bully without putting yourself at risk. Be strategic.CReport it to a professor. The system exists for a reason — use it.DBefriend the victim afterwards. What they need most right now is someone in their corner.

NEXT →

05

Which quality do you most want to be known for?What you value most reveals your deepest nature.

ABravery. When things go wrong, I want to be the person who stands up.BResourcefulness. I want to be the person who always finds a way.CWisdom. I want to be the person who truly understands.DKindness. I want to be the person people trust completely.

NEXT →

06

Your team is losing badly in a high-stakes competition. What’s your move?Pressure reveals character.

ARally everyone with a bold speech and lead by example. Momentum is everything.BExploit the other team’s weakness. There’s always a gap if you’re watching closely enough.CPause and rethink the strategy entirely. Doing the same thing harder won’t work — you need a new plan.DFocus on keeping morale up. A team that trusts each other can come back from anything.

NEXT →

07

You catch a friend cheating on an important exam. What do you do?Rules, relationships, and right and wrong.

AConfront them directly. If they’re your real friend, they can handle the truth.BSay nothing. It’s their risk to take, and reporting them gains you nothing.CStruggle with it, but ultimately the integrity of the exam matters. You report it anonymously.DTalk to them privately and offer to help them study instead. They clearly need support.

NEXT →

08

What do you fear most?Your deepest fear says everything about your deepest values.

ABeing a coward when it matters. Failing to act when someone needs me.BBeing ordinary. Living a life where I never reached my full potential.CBeing ignorant. Making decisions based on incomplete understanding.DBeing alone. Losing the people who matter most to me.

NEXT →

09

Centuries from now, how would you want to be remembered at Hogwarts?The portrait on the wall — what does it say?

AAs someone who fought for what was right, no matter the personal cost.BAs someone who achieved greatness and left a lasting mark on the wizarding world.CAs someone who discovered something extraordinary — a truth no one else could see.DAs someone who was truly good — a person who made others’ lives better just by being there.

NEXT →

10

The Sorting Hat whispers: “I see everything you are and everything you could become. Tell me — what matters to you above all else?”The final question. Answer from your soul.

AThe courage to do what’s right, even when I’m terrified. I’d rather be brave for one moment than safe for a lifetime.BThe drive to become who I’m meant to be. I won’t settle, and I won’t apologize for wanting more.CThe pursuit of understanding. The truth is more beautiful and more important than comfort.DThe people I love and the bonds I’ve built. Everything else is just noise without the people beside you.

THE HAT HAS DECIDED →

THE SORTING HAT HAS SPOKENYOU BELONG IN…

🦁

“Where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.”

You lead with your heart and your gut. When something is wrong, you can’t just stand there — you have to act, even when the odds are terrible and the smart move is to walk away. You’re the person people look to in a crisis, not because you’re fearless, but because you move forward when you’re afraid. Your moral compass is loud, your loyalty is fierce, and your courage can be reckless — but the world needs people like you. Values: Courage, chivalry, determination, standing up for what’s right Watch out for: Recklessness, a hero complex, and leaping before you look Famous Gryffindors: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall

🐍

“Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends.”

You have a vision for your life, and you’re not going to let politeness or convention stand in the way. You’re strategic, perceptive, and deeply ambitious — not necessarily for power itself, but for the freedom and influence that come with being exceptional. You read rooms, you play the long game, and you don’t waste energy on fights you can’t win. People underestimate your depth at their own risk. Values: Ambition, resourcefulness, determination, self-preservation Watch out for: Isolation, ruthlessness, and mistaking cunning for wisdom Famous Slytherins: Severus Snape, Merlin, Regulus Black, Horace Slughorn

🦅

“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.”

Your mind is your greatest asset, and you know it. You’re drawn to ideas, puzzles, and the kind of deep understanding that most people don’t have the patience for. You question everything — not to be difficult, but because accepting easy answers feels dishonest. You value originality, creativity, and intellectual independence. The library isn’t just a building to you — it’s a sanctuary. Values: Wisdom, creativity, learning, intellectual curiosity Watch out for: Overthinking, detachment, and valuing being right over being kind Famous Ravenclaws: Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Garrick Ollivander, Cho Chang

🦡

“Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.”

You are the heart of every group you belong to. You don’t need to be the hero of the story — you need the people in the story to be okay. Your loyalty isn’t performative; it’s bone-deep. You show up, you do the work, and you treat people with a decency that the wizarding world desperately needs more of. You’re not soft — you’re strong in the way that actually holds everything together. Values: Loyalty, patience, fairness, hard work, kindness Watch out for: Being taken for granted, avoiding conflict, and forgetting your own needs Famous Hufflepuffs: Newt Scamander, Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Pomona Sprout

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

Why Is Severus Snape Such an Important 'Harry Potter' Character?

Snape is arguably one of the most complicated characters in J.K. Rowling's original novels. Initially, a rather one-note antagonist whose loyalty to Dumbledore and the school is questioned by a highly suspicious Harry, Snape's intentions become more and more murky and difficult to comprehend. His dark history with Harry's father is the main reason for his antagonism towards Harry, but the final books reveal just how much the fate of Snape is intertwined with that of Harry.

The new adaptation stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, alongside John Lithgow (The Crown) as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid, Warwick Davis (Willow) as Filius Flitwick, and Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) as Molly Weasley.

The series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod (Succession) directing multiple episodes.

HBO's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is scheduled to premiere on December 25, 2026, with streaming available on HBO Max.

• 

  Dominic McLaughlin

  Harry Potter

• Arabella Stanton

  Hermione Granger

• Alastair Stout

  Ron Weasley

• 

  Minerva McGonagall