It looks like HBO is brewing up a strong cast for its highly anticipated Harry Potter series, and the latest name to be added to the mix is none other than Paapa Essiedu. The Emmy-nominated actor, best known for his standout role in I May Destroy You, is reportedly in final negotiations to take on the role of Severus Snape—Hogwarts’ brooding Potions Master and one of the most complex characters in the Wizarding World.
Essiedu’s name has been floating around for a minute, with early reports hinting that he was high on HBO’s list for the role. If all goes as planned, he’ll be stepping into the black robes once worn by the late, great Alan Rickman, though this version of Snape will align more closely with the books—meaning a younger, 30-something Snape, just as J.K. Rowling originally wrote him.
HBO isn’t saying much yet, keeping things tight-lipped with a statement that reads:
“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.”
But let’s be real—where there’s smoke, there’s usually a cauldron bubbling over.
The Harry Potter franchise has been slowly expanding its representation over the years, from Noma Dumezweni playing Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to HBO now casting a more diverse lineup for its decade-long retelling of the books. And Essiedu? He’s got the range, the gravitas, and that razor-sharp intensity that made Snape such an unforgettable character in the first place.
And he’s not the only heavy hitter circling Hogwarts. Oscar and Emmy nominee Janet McTeer is reportedly in talks to play Professor Minerva McGonagall, the sharp-witted, fiercely loyal Transfiguration professor and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. Originally played by Dame Maggie Smith in the films, McTeer would bring her own commanding presence to the role. She’s already proven she can do no-nonsense authority figures with heart—so McGonagall feels like a natural fit.
With John Lithgow already signed on as Dumbledore, and now McTeer and Essiedu seemingly ready to pick up their wands, HBO is making some bold casting choices. The series, helmed by writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, is set to be a deep-dive adaptation that spans a decade, aiming to bring a fresh take on Rowling’s books while staying faithful to the source material.
Filming is set to take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden—the same home as the original Harry Potter films—with a targeted release between late 2026 and early 2027. Meanwhile, the search continues for the young actors who will take on the iconic roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, with a reported 32,000 audition tapes already submitted.
As more casting news trickles in, one thing is clear—HBO isn’t just looking for big names; they’re looking for the right names. And with actors like Essiedu and McTeer in the mix, the Wizarding World is shaping up to be more magical than ever.
Stay tuned—more announcements are bound to apparate soon.