The new HBO series based on the Harry Potter universe has released its first teaser, in which it has shown practically all of the main casting, with the exception of Voldemort. Immediately, the networks have been filled with reactions and opinions of all kinds. Most of these negative criticisms were directed towards the racial change of the character of Severus Snape, played by actor Paapa Essiedu.
This is directly reminiscent of the numerous cases of covert racism posing as a supposed defense of the original work. It happened with the signing of Halle Bailey as Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ in 2023 or with that of Rachel Zegler in the latest version of ‘Snow White’ and it has happened again with the character of Severus Snape. We assume that he is described in the books as a man with “pale skin.” So far so good. What implications could this change have on the plot? None, right?
That’s where the case of Severus Snape becomes interesting. Unlike the two examples mentioned, the casting of Paapa Essiedu could raise some eyebrows at some points in the story. If we take into account that Essiedu is the only black actor in the entire series, at least as far as is known at the moment, then during the events of ‘The Goblet of Fire’ Harry Potter will accuse the only black professor in all of Hogwarts of theft. Okay. We must also remember the bullying he receives from Potter’s father, who… hangs him from a tree?
Let’s see. Could it be that the public is right this time? Are they trying to do a genuine favor to the series, without racist intentions? It doesn’t seem like it. Right now, the most viral meme is an AI video showing Essiedu’s Snape using a gun instead of a magic wand. Like these, dozens of variations. The truth is that the teaser has revived the hate towards this casting decision, but for the actor it is nothing new.
Just a few days ago, Essiedu did an interview with The Times in which he declared that receiving a message like “resign or I’ll kill you” was nothing out of the ordinary: “The reality is, if I look at Instagram, I’ll see someone saying: I’m going to go to your house and I’m going to kill you,” he said. «While I hope everything turns out well, no one should have to go through this for doing their job. Many people risk their lives working. “I play a wizard in Harry Potter,” he concluded.
Despite everything that has surrounded the conversation about ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’, from the casting of Paapa Essiedu to JK Rowling’s transphobic statements, it is most likely that the HBO series will be a success because the majority of the public cares little about these issues.
On the other hand, the teaser is everything fans expected, showing Potter’s life before magic, the Hogwarts letter, Nick Frost’s new Hagrid, the school facilities and, of course, the protagonist trio. Even without a specific date, it is known that the new Harry Potter series will premiere during Christmas 2026.
Just for comparison’s sake, this is what was released 25 years ago as the first ever teaser for Harry Potter. https://t.co/Me4gu99udb pic.twitter.com/VT1Q4uoOUS
— Ankit Jhunjhunwala (@fuzzyyarns) March 25, 2026
I’M NOT CRYING, I’M NOT CRYING. pic.twitter.com/wdkLzCzA8q
— The Prophet (@EiProfeta) March 25, 2026
First look at Paapa Essiedu as Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ series pic.twitter.com/kTwkFEJqz3
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) March 25, 2026
