Paapa Essiedu Will Officially Play Severus Snape for HBO
Paapa Essiedu in "The Lazarus Project"
(Photo: TNT)
There was a time, about a decade ago, before I joined Telly Visions, when I launched a Harry Potter/Wizarding World website. I say this to be upfront about how long and how dedicated a Potter fan I was, without getting into things that are better left locked away on LiveJournal, and to help explain why covering the new series is something I'm doing out of obligation. In the year of our lord 2025, Harry Potter means something very different than it once did, and choosing to cover it can (understandably) offend some.
However, those original eight movies introduced an entire generation of British actors, many of whom have gone on to have careers we cover today. I'm not just talking Daniel Radcliffe (Miracle Workers), Rupert Grint (The ABC Murders), and Emma Watson (Little Women). I'm talking Harry Melling (Wolf Hall), Katie Leung (Annika), Matthew Lewis (All Creatures Great & Small), Clémence Poésy (The Hollow Crown), Domhnall Gleeson (Alice & Jack), Freddie Stroma (Bridgerton), Alfred Enoch (The Couple Next Door), Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things), Hero Fiennes-Tiffin (Young Sherlock), Frank Dillane (Joan), and Robert Pattinson (The Batman), just to name a few.
The new series is expected to do the same, so we'll cover casting. However, when the first announcement was that American John Lithgow (The Crown) would play Dumbledore, it suddenly called into question exactly how British this series would be. Thankfully, there will be some British actors, starting with Paapa Essiedu (The Lazarus Project), who will play the role of Severus Snape. But just how much the British-ish nature of the series will be remains to be seen when the kids get cast.
Harry Potter Cast headshots: John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon, and Paul Whitehouse.
Jessica Howes/Andrew Crowley/Ruth Crafer/Lee Malone/Phil Sharp/Mike Marsland
Here is the series synopsis:
The series will be a faithful adaptation featuring an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of fantastic detail and much-loved characters. Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.
Along with Lithgow and Essiedu, the cast also included British actors Janet McTeer (Sense & Sensibility) as Minerva McGonagall; Nick Frost (The Nevers) as Rubeus Hagrid; Luke Thallon (The Favourite) as Quirinus Quirrell; and a returnee from the films, with Paul Whitehouse, who was cast in Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, but then had his character, Sir Cadogan, cut for time. At least the series won't cut his character this time, as it's groundskeeper Argus Filch.
Francesca Gardiner, whose credits include Killing Eve, His Dark Materials, and Succession, will be lead writer, with director Mark Mylod (The Last of Us) helming multiple installments as lead director. Both executive produce along with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts for Brontë Film and TV, David Heyman of Heyday Films, and the author.
The new series is on track to arrive with Season 1 in 2026 on HBO and Max.
