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The Wizarding World seems to be making great progress in its attempt to bring theHarry Potterworld back to fans, except in a revamped TV series version. While the official casting choices have yet to be announced for all the major characters, reports and some currently unconfirmed suggestions are swirling around nonetheless on who could play what in the new magical lore.
That said, the most recent speculation is currently swirling around two of the most prominent characters of the saga: Professor Snape and Lord Voldemort. While Paapa Essiedu has reportedly been offered the role of the former, the Dark Lord portrayer Ralph Fiennes, on the other hand, is notably rallying for Cillian Murphy to take on the mantle of the latter – i.e. Voldemort – from him.
Harry Potter’s 2 Prominent Characters Seem to Have Already Found Their Matches
After more than a decade since the last flick from the movie series,The Deathly Hallows – Part 2came out, HBO seems to be all set and confident to bring back theHarry Pottersaga as a rebooted TV series. For the same, it has reportedly already set its eye on who could play one particularly fan-favorite character of the Wizarding World: Professor Snape.
According to exclusive reports fromThe Hollywood Reporter, British actor Paapa Essiedu — famous for his commendable performances across pieces likeThe Lazarus Project(2022),Gangs of London(2020), andI May Destroy You(2020), among others — is being eyed to play the next snarly potions professor in the revamped version of The Boy Who Lived’s storyline.
Per the multiple sources spilling the beans on these reports to THR, while the 34-year-oldGeniestar has reportedly been offered the part, it is yet to be confirmed if the negotiations have begun in earnest. If this casting gets greenlit, then Essiedu will pick up the mantle left behind by the greatAlan Rickmanto portray the wickedly smart and casually cruel Severus Snape.
Harry Potter TV Series: Latest News, Cast, Release Date, Trailer, JK Rowling Connection and More
While the series’ first season is currently said to be based on authorJ.K. Rowling‘s 1997 debut novelHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, further speculation brings about rumors about other actors being eyed for other roles. Like, theBridge of Spiesstar Mark Rylance, for one, is reportedly close to being signed for the role of the Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Additionally, one other major suggestion received for the casting has been from none other thanRalph Fiennes, who perfectly embodied Lord Voldemort throughout the eight movies of theHarry Potterfilm series. Per@screentime on X, the actor is reportedly campaigning forCillian Murphyto take the mantle of the Dark Lord from him for the television series reboot.
Inevitably enough, most of these reported casting choices and suggestions are receiving a positive reception from fans, but not all. While, on the one hand, fans are piling in with all of their support to see Murphy as Tom Marvolo Riddle and then He Who Must Not Be Named, on the other hand, a lot of them are expressing their dissatisfaction with reports about Snape’s casting.
What Fans Have to Say About Professor Snape’s Reported Casting-In-The-Works
Though Murphy is gaining a majority of the fans’ approval after being suggested by none other than the actor who played Voldemort himself,Paapa Essiedujust isn’t. This is mostly because basically none of his physical features and characteristics match the description of the Severus Snape that fans have come to love over the years, both in the books and in live-action.
For one, one of the biggest reasons why the late Rickman was so loved forhis performance as the Hogwarts potions masterwas because his physical appearance quite literally fit the description of his character in the books – “a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin” – as perfectly as it could, making him one of the best casting choices of the film series.
In comparison, obviously,The Outrunactor sports a much different look as this casting choice more or less looks like a race-swapping decision from the higher-ups. This is why, despite his quite literally establishing himself as one of the best actors of his time, Esseidu’s reportedly being offered the role of the fan-favorite professor in the TV series isn’t sitting well with fans.
That being said, here’s what fans have to say about the same onX:
I’m sure this won’t spark a negative wave of comments
Can’t wait to find out that the real reason James Potter bullied Snape was because he was racist. 💀
@jk_rowlingThis is exactly what will tank this series.“greasy, shoulder-length black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin"I won’t watch it if these types of “modernizations” are in play.
It’s all so tiring.pic.twitter.com/0duMNQLPbd
A single race swap means I won’t watch at all.
Damn, they’re really setting him up to fail. Alan Rickman was a revelation as Snape. This just feels like race-swapping for the sake of it. Paapa doesn’t have the intensity or gravitas that Rickman brought to the role
James Potter- You lookin' at my woman, BOY?!!
rowling you had one job.
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While all of these fan reactions are more than enough to convey the message, these are hardly the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what other people from the fanbase have to say about this respective casting-in-the-works. And, well, rightly so, for the casting is anything but even remotely close to the fan-beloved character’s description in the source material.
That said, it’s still not too late for the franchise to retrace its steps and save the saga from tanking even before earning the chance of survival, for, judging from the reactions, this forthcoming revamped series could also possibly result in one of Paapa Essiedu’s most risky and critical projects to date.
Currently, the Harry Potter TV series is reportedly aiming for a 2026 debut.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
