The British actor from “I May Destroy You” is reportedly being considered for a beloved role in an upcoming, highly anticipated fantasy series.
HBO is looking at British actor Paapa Essiedu to take on one of the most exciting TV roles being cast this year.
The actor, known for his role in I May Destroy You, is being considered for the part of Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series, according to multiple sources from The Hollywood Reporter. It’s said that Essiedu has been offered the role, though it’s unclear if he has started serious talks to accept it.
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Snape is the clever yet mean potions teacher at Hogwarts, who appears to be the main villain in the show’s first season. This season will be based on J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, published in 1997. The late Alan Rickman famously played Snape in all eight Warner Bros. movies.
So far, no actors have officially been chosen for the Harry Potter TV series, which is planned to start in 2026. However, Mark Rylance, known for his role in Bridge of Spies, is close to being cast as the wise and powerful Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The show creates a lot of buzz, leading to rumours about who might play which character. However, sources say the rumours about Cillian Murphy playing the dark wizard Lord Voldemort are untrue.
Paapa Essiedu began his acting career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played major roles in famous plays like Hamlet and King Lear. Since then, he’s appeared in movies like Murder on the Orient Express and Men and TV shows such as Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project, and the Black Mirror episode “Demon 79.”
If Essiedu gets the role, it will show that HBO keeps its promise to have a more diverse cast for the series. This would differ from the movies, which were sometimes criticized for having an all-white main cast. Essiedu’s casting could bring a new and interesting perspective to the character.
We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals. A faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years. Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally
In a statement regarding Esseidu’s casting, HBO said The series is described as!!
The series is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will also be an executive producer and will direct several HBO episodes. The show is being made with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. Other executive producers include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts from Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman from Heyday Films.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter