HBO’s New Snape Paapa Essiedu Reaffirms Support for Trans People While Declining To Discuss J.K. Rowling

HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ series is just weeks away, and its Severus Snape is once again in the spotlight. Paapa Essiedu, the Emmy-nominated star of ‘I May Destroy You’, takes over the role made famous by the late Alan Rickman when ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ premieres on Christmas Day. The cast also includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall and Nick Frost as Hagrid.

His casting has drawn attention on more than one front. Before he was cast, Essiedu signed an open letter condemning the U.K. Supreme Court ruling that transgender women are not legally considered women and transgender men are not legally considered men. Rowling, who remains involved with the series, has drawn widespread criticism since 2020 for social media posts about transgender issues that many critics consider transphobic.

Now Essiedu has addressed the topic again. In a new interview with Vanity Fair published November 10, he made clear that he did not want to discuss Rowling at all when the subject came up. Instead, he focused on his own position, saying he believes deeply that trans people, queer people and people of every creed and color deserve respect, dignity and safety at all times, whether at work, at home or in public.

He also explained why he’s drawing that line. Essiedu said he has been very clear about his position, and that this is why Rowling spoke publicly about him. He added that he isn’t there to speak about her politics or act as her mouthpiece, and that he wants to avoid creating an “us and them” dynamic.

Senhoras e senhores Paapa Essiedu! Vídeo via insta da Vanity Fair. https://t.co/Kxo5wxWtBE

— Acervo Paapa Essiedu (@acervopaapaessi) November 10, 2026

The two have crossed paths publicly before. After news broke that Essiedu had signed the open letter, Rowling posted on X that she didn’t have the power to fire an actor from the series and wouldn’t use it even if she did. She added that she doesn’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from hers.

Vanity Fair’s profile also pointed to what it described as an inherent contradiction in Essiedu’s involvement. Rowling remains actively involved in the HBO adaptation and stands to profit from it, even as he publicly supports transgender rights.

“And you can judge me sometime—in 2039 or whatever it is—as to whether I’ve been successful or not” – Paapa Essiedu, Vanity Fair. https://t.co/Vdi70XDZ6g

— Spattergroit (@Spattergroit900) November 10, 2026

Separately, Essiedu has faced racist reactions to his casting. In a March interview with The Sunday Times, he revealed that he had received racist death threats from people who objected to a Black actor playing Snape. Reports later said HBO increased security on set following the threats.

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner condemned that abuse in the Vanity Fair piece, calling it appalling. She praised Essiedu for handling the situation with grace and said his performance is what deserves attention.

Others in the franchise have defended him too. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the films, called Essiedu one of the best actors he’s ever seen and said critics will change their tune once they see his work.

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— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) September 2, 2026

Essiedu also spoke about following such an iconic performance. He told Vanity Fair that he isn’t trying to erase the legacy of the earlier films or Rickman’s take on Snape, and that he doesn’t want to alienate longtime fans. He has previously said his version won’t simply copy what came before.

Instead, he wants to bring his own interpretation to a character he loved as a young reader. ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ premieres on December 25 on HBO and HBO Max, with 8 episodes in its first season. With the premiere close, Essiedu appears determined to let his performance, not the surrounding debate, define his time as Snape.

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