Folks, you may be looking at the next Professor Severus Snape. As per The Hollywood Reporter, HBO is currently eyeing Paapa Essiedu for the role of the calculated and cold character in their new Harry Potter series. While the role has been offered to the British star, it isn’t clear whether negotiations or contracts have been discussed thus far.
Essiedu’s attachment to the series echoes HBO’s previously laid out vision for the reimagining of the popular wizard adventure. In September, the media company sent out a casting call that looked to bring forth “inclusive, diverse casting,” saying, “For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.”
THR reports that HBO has released a follow-up statement regarding Essiedu’s possible involvement with the series and what that means for the rest of the cast.
“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.”
Paapa Essiedu attends the Prada Fall/Winter 2024 Menswear Fashion Show on January 14, 2024 in Milan, Italy.
Celotto/Getty Images for Prada
The legendary Alan Rickman previously played Severus Snape in eight of the Harry Potter films from Warner Bros. Rickman would die in 2016, 5 years after his final appearance as the cunning professor in Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows, Part 2.
Paapa Essiedu is the latest actor to be attached to the forthcoming series. Mark Rylance is nearing completion on negotiations with Warner Bros. to sign on as Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts’ Headmaster.
Essiedu has been quietly building up his profile with a slew of riveting performances across a number of TV shows and movies such as The Lazarus Project, Black Mirror, I May Destroy You, Murder on the Orient Express, and more.
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