Why Harry Potter Fans Are Calling to Recast Snape in HBO’s New Series: A Deep Dive Into the Fandom Uproar

‎When HBO Max announced the first wave of casting for its upcoming Harry Potter TV reboot, it immediately sparked conversation across the fandom. One casting choice in particular ignited significant backlash online: the decision to cast Paapa Essiedu, a Black British actor, as Professor Severus Snape—a character who has traditionally been depicted as pale-skinned, greasy-haired, and socially outcast in J.K. Rowling’s original novels.

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Professor Severus Snape played by Alan Rickman; Paapa Essiedu.

‎Everett Collection; Ruth Crafer

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‎Fans took to social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, to express their dissatisfaction. Notably, many emphasized that their objection is not about race, but about a perceived lack of faithfulness to the source material.

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‎“This Is a Miscast – Not Racism”

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‎One of the most repeated points among fans is that Snape is visually distinct in the books, and those details matter. Described as “sallow-skinned,” “hook-nosed,” and “greasy-haired,” Snape’s unattractive appearance was deeply tied to his character and emotional arc—symbolizing his isolation, bitterness, and tragic background.

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‎“Snape is described in the books as a pasty white guy. I’m not racist, but this is a complete disregard for canon,” said one user on X, in a post that received over 25,000 likes.

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‎“I have no issue with Black actors—none. But Snape is a very specifically described character. If you’re going to race-swap, at least pick a character where race doesn’t dramatically change the narrative dynamic,” another added.

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‎On Reddit, similar concerns emerged:

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‎“A beefy, handsome man can’t portray someone who was so clearly coded as a social outcast and loner. Snape wasn’t hot. He was tragic, broken, and alienating.”

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‎“Even if you want color-blind casting, you still need to match the vibe of the character. Paapa Essiedu is too charismatic and handsome for this role.”

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‎Some users even questioned how this change would affect Snape's complex backstory—especially his involvement with the Death Eaters, a group often allegorically associated with racial supremacy. As one Redditor pointed out:

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‎“Casting a Black actor as Snape really complicates the narrative. You now have a poor, bullied Black boy being harassed by four privileged white students, and later aligning with a magical supremacist group. That creates an uncomfortable subtext.”

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‎Fans Say Their Voice Is Being Ignored

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‎Perhaps the biggest grievance among the Harry Potter fanbase isn’t just the casting itself—but what it symbolizes. Many feel their loyalty is being dismissed in favor of a broader push for diversity that overlooks nuance.

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‎“This isn’t about keeping Snape white—it’s about respecting the world J.K. Rowling created. If you want more Black representation, then write powerful, original Black characters,” said one fan.

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‎“They’ve taken a deeply flawed, specifically described character and turned him into something unrecognizable. That’s not progressive—it’s lazy,” another posted.

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‎Some also questioned HBO’s commitment to the lore:

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‎“If you change one of the most iconic characters this drastically, what else are you willing to rewrite?”

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‎This discontent has translated into a larger movement on social media, where hundreds of fans are now calling on HBO to recast Snape, using hashtags like #RecastSnape and #FaithfulAdaptationNow.

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‎Support for the Actor, Criticism for the Decision

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‎Despite the backlash, most fans have been clear: their issue isn’t with Paapa Essiedu himself.

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‎“No hate to Paapa. He’s incredibly talented and has nothing to do with the decision. This is about the creative team choosing to ignore the source material—not him,” wrote one user.

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‎Another echoed:

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‎“This is not about race. We’d say the same thing if Snape was suddenly cast as a tall blonde guy. It just doesn’t fit.”

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‎Industry Defends the Choice

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‎Amid the growing backlash, Jason Isaacs, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the original films, came out in support of Essiedu:

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‎“Paapa is one of the best actors working today. People are going to eat their words when they see what he brings to Snape,” Isaacs said in an interview with CinemaBlend.

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‎Warner Bros. and HBO Max have not publicly responded to the criticism but have reportedly disabled comments on several social media posts regarding the casting. Comment sections on platforms like Instagram and TikTok have also seen heavy moderation or been locked entirely.

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‎A Familiar Hollywood Debate

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‎This controversy has reignited broader discussions around race-swapping, diversity in casting, and fidelity to source material in entertainment. While many applaud efforts to create more inclusive media, others argue that changing core character traits—especially when they’re narratively significant—feels performative rather than thoughtful.

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‎“Hollywood seems to think diversity means swapping skin color. Real representation is about creating deep, original characters of color—not retrofitting existing ones,” commented a user on IndiaTimes.