It seems like Harry Potter media is here to stay no matter what, despite the series’ nearly two-decade dominance in pop culture, particularly in the fantasy/adventure genre. If a new “Potter” TV series has to be made because corporate interests have decided so, it can at least happen that talented and creative people will try to improve the material and make it their own.
That seems to be exactly what’s happening with the news that actor Papa Essiedu is in talks to play Severus Snape in HBO’s reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories. According to the Hollywood ReporterA contract with Essiedu has not yet been finalized, and a trade publication stated, “According to sources, it is unclear whether negotiations have begun in earnest, but Essiedu has been offered the role.” This is a follow-up, considering that no actor has been officially signed on to the series yet, although Mark Rylance is said to be “close to signing” to play Albus Dumbledore. Given that the series is scheduled to premiere on HBO in late 2026 or early 2027, it’s likely that a slew of official casting news will be announced in the coming months, so Rylance and The uproar about Essiedu is likely to be the first rumor about the upcoming casting storm.
Of course, big questions remain. Even with Francesca Gardiner named writer and showrunner of the series and Mark Myrod tapped as director and producer, what will be the creative focus of the series other than just telling the story? . Rowling’s already adapted books again? Or exploit the IP, akin to HBO’s clearly successful “The Last of Us” series, which delighted fans by delivering (almost) exactly the story, characters, and aesthetic they got in video games? Is that what it’s all about? The most pressing question is: With memories of the film’s original cast still so prevalent, how are actors going to make these characters their own? Essiedu has a bit of an answer to this last question, as he is an actor whose career so far has been filled with bold and courageous performances.
Actors like Essiedu could make the Harry Potter TV series worth watching
If Essiedu were to actually end up playing Professor Severus Snape, a potions master who is very intimidating and villainous towards Harry Potter, before the dark side of his character is revealed, it would be a great opportunity for the actor. There is one hurdle. That’s Alan Rickman. The movies gave Snape an unforgettable look and voice that made him synonymous with the character, even for non-fans. That’s a big risk for any actor to take, but one look at Essiedu’s filmography shows that the actor is willing to make big changes in his choice of roles and projects.
As well as appearing in a variety of BBC TV miniseries (a staple for theater-trained British actors), Essiedu has appeared in challenging shows such as I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project. I’m doing it. His feature film work is equally bold, particularly his role as James in Alex Garland’s highly polarizing folk horror film Men. His latest work, in which he co-starred with Saoirse Ronan in this year’s Outrun, has made him an actor to watch given his willingness to play morally ambiguous characters with sincerity.
Of course, Snape is one of the most famous morally ambiguous characters in pop culture, so it’s no surprise that the Harry Potter series would want to put Essiedu’s talent for such subjects to good use. do not have. Ultimately, as with any project, if Essiedu does end up appearing, it will likely be at the mercy of the eventual series’ script and director. Let’s hope his possible casting is an indicator of where this “Potter” series is headed. Because that could mean it’s at least worth watching.
