Paapa Essiedu, HBO's 'Harry Potter' Snape, Won't Talk About J.K. Rowling "At All"
Harry Potter actor commented on his support for the community and the author's stance.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Paapa Essiedu spoke openly about his support for the trans community. The actor, who will play Severus Snape in HBO's new Harry Potter series, was also asked about his relationship with the franchise's author, J.K. Rowling, and preferred to end the subject immediately.
Before being cast in the role, Essiedu signed an open letter condemning the UK Supreme Court's decision that determined that transgender women are not legally considered women and transgender men are not legally considered men. In May of this year, Rowling commented on the actor's stance on X. "I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine," the author wrote at the time.
When Vanity Fair tried to bring up the subject again, Essiedu was blunt: "I don't want to talk about Jo at all." Then, the actor made a point of reaffirming his personal values. "I believe, in my bones, that trans people, queer people, people of all creeds and color have got the right to be treated with respect and dignity and safety at all times... That’s what I believe, and that’s the way that I choose to live my life," he declared.
Everything you need to know about Harry Potter
The upcoming HBO Max series is scheduled to premiere at Christmas 2026 with eight episodes in its first season. Filming began last summer, and the production has already confirmed that the story will not be told solely from Harry's point of view.
The confirmed cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore. The series will also bring back History of Magic classes with Professor Binns, played by Richard Durden, and will foreshadow the introduction of Lucius Malfoy, who will be played by Johnny Flynn.
The series premieres this Christmas on HBO Max.
