Beloved Harry Potter star fiercely defends Paapa Essiedu's casting as Snape in reboot amid 'racist' backlash
It was confirmed earlier this year that Essiedu, an acclaimed English actor who is of Ghanaian descent, would star in HBO 's new Harry Potter series as Hogwarts professor Snape, a role originated by the late Alan Rickman, a white man.
The news of Essiedu's casting received mixed reactions from Harry Potter fans, with some left 'disappointed' due to his lack of resemblance to the beloved character, who is described as having 'a large hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth' in J.K. Rowling 's iconic novels.
But during a recent appearance at FanExpo Denver, Jason Isaacs, who famously portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, passionately shared his support for Essiedu while slamming the 'rude' response to his casting.
'Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I've ever seen in my life. I've seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they're being is racist,' he said during a panel moderated by Collider.
Isaacs, 62, continued: 'They will be swallowing their tongues when they see what [Essiedu] does on screen.'
Essiedu's involvement in the TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series was first confirmed in April by the show's producers.
It came after months of speculation that the Emmy nominee had landed the iconic Harry Potter role, which Rickman notably portrayed throughout the film franchise from 2001 through 2011.
When the rumors first swirled last year, many Harry Potter fans were prompted to share their thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter) — with some branding the casting as 'woke.'
One penned, 'I'm sorry but there is only one man who can be Professor Snape. Shame on HBO for going near this. It's just going to ruin something that should be left well alone.'
Another typed, 'Paapa Essiedu shouldn't take this role for his own benefit. He could be the best actor in the world but he doesn't fit the characteristics of Snape from the book.'
'I don't understand the push to change everything from the original context,' they added.
Another wrote, 'Paapa Essiedu is being eyed for the role of Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series. Another classic that goes woke.'
However, many HP fans came to the star's defense as they argued that 'Snape's physical appearance is not vital to his character.'
It was also announced in April that Emmy winner John Lithgow will play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer will take on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid.
All four of them, including Essiedu, will star as regulars in the upcoming series, THR reported.
In statement to the outlet, Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, the director of several episodes and the executive producer, said they were 'delighted to have such extraordinary talent' in the show.
'We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,' they said.
'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.'
In reference to Rickman's famous portrayal of Professor Snape, Mylod said: 'Nobody can replace Alan Rickman, but we can find the next Alan Rickman.'
Some fans were also upset with Lithgow's being cast as Albus Dumbledore due to him being an American actor playing a British character, particularly given JK Rowling's insistance that the cast of the original films be British.
Taking to X, fans wrote: 'I can't understand why John Lithgow is the new Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter HBO series. Dumbledore is British, Lithgow is from the USA.'
'Nothing against John Lithgow, but Dumbledore and the whole Harry Potter franchise is British.'
The series' main three characters - Harry, Ron and Hermione - were finally announced in May after months of anticipation and rumors.
Dominic McLaughlin bagged the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton is set to play Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout will portray Ron Weasley.
The lucky three kids are set to start filming the TV reboot this summer and were picked from more than 32,000 audition tapes from across the UK and Ireland.
JK Rowling's seven hit books — which were originally made into films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint — will be made into seven seasons on HBO.
Rowling is listed as an executive producer despite the controversy and backlash surrounding her views on transgender issues.
The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million an episode and the three child actors could land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars.
Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three newcomers.
They said: 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.
'We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.'
The talented youngsters are used to acting and all have various experiences on stage or behind the camera.
British actor-comedian Nick Frost will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane
John Lithgow (left) was been picked to play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore, a role originally played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films
Following in Daniel Radcliffe's footsteps, Dominic played Oliver Gregory in a film titled Grow, also starring Alan Carr, Golda Rosheuvel and Nick Frost.
Alastair, who will be taking on the role of Ron Weasley, featured in an advert for albert Bartlett's Jersey Royal potatoes.
While Arabella has been on the West End and starred as Matilda in Matilda The Musical back in 2023.
The young star also played Control in Starlight Express last year.
More English actors were confirmed to star in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which will hit screens in 2027, in an announcement made in June.
It was revealed that Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny's mum Molly Weasley.
The actress has played roles in various shows and films such as The IT Crowd, Doc Martin, Humans, St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold and Casualty.
Molly was played by Julie Walters in the popular franchise.
Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the beloved Warner Bros. movies.
The actor has appeared in various films and TV shows over the years.
English actress Bel Powel has reportedly signed up to play Petunia Dursley in the TV adaption after shooting to fame in 2015
Some include Lotus Eaters, Cordelia, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, Holby City, Les Miserables, Ripley and The Lovers.
Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have reportedly signed up to play Harry Potter's aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Dursley, according to Variety.
Last month, Harry Potter creator Rowling confirmed that she worked closely with the writers on the upcoming series.
She did so in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in which she raved about the first two episodes after reading them for the first time.
'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' the author wrote.
When one follower enquired: 'So you are not doing the writing for the show?' she replied: 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers'.
In regards to filming, it was reported in May that the big-budget new series will be filmed in a £1 billion mini-centre, complete with its own school and medical centre.
Producers have poured money into the vast new studio at Leavesden, just outside Watford, Hertfordshire.
The site will include a school for the hundreds of young actors who are committed to filming the show, while another facility is being erected for the large numbers of animals expected to feature.
A source told The Sun at the time: 'Warner Bros are making a huge commitment to the new TV show, looking at making multiple, lengthy series over the next decade.
'So they see pumping a huge amount of cash in upfront to construct this infrastructure as a worthwhile investment which they'll eventually get a return on.
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