HBO
Severus Snape will racebend for Max in the new 'Harry Potter' series
After the South African-British actress who played Hermione in the play, the upcoming TV adaptation will go for a Potions Professor who is different from the “sallow skin” described in the books.
We already have an actor to play the Potions Professor in the new ‘Harry Potter’ series Max is working on. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Paapa Essiedu is the hot favorite for the role, and as you might expect, the news has the networks abuzz. The reason? Differences from the late Alan Rickman’s Severus Snape and how hard he’ll have to live up to the description in the books, where he’s described as “a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth. He has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes.” An ensemble that gave him the appearance of an “overgrown bat.”
Essiedu, 24, is best known for his role in the miniseries ‘I May Destroy You’, for which he was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category. He also appears in the ‘Black Mirror’ episode ‘Demon 79’ and in Alex Garland’s horror film ‘Men’. He won’t be the first character to change race in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, as Hermione Granger’s skin color was changed in the stage play of JK Rowling’s saga. Nor is he the only actor already on the radar for the series, as Voldemort, who was given the nod by his predecessor, was recently leaked.
The ‘Harry Potter’ series wants to be like ‘Succession’
Apart from the actors, we know that the ‘Harry Potter’ series is scheduled for “2026 or 2027″ and that its goal is to adapt the 7 books by JK Rowling in 7 seasons. From Max, they want to be even more faithful to the novels than the movies were and have chosen as showrunner of the project the laureate Francesca Gardiner (‘Succession’). Will it be of the same quality? It won’t be because of the cast, which already includes some Oscar winners.
‘Harry Potter’ series backs JK Rowling
Perhaps the racial change has to do with making a series under fire more inclusive and modern, especially after HBO head Casey Bloys confirmed that Rowling is “very, very involved in the project” to the point of “choosing the writer and director. Many Potterheads have wondered if supporting the series means support to the author’s hate speech. After all, its success would give her even more money to support them, put her back in the spotlight, and give her a megaphone from which to spread them.
“We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views” was clarified to Variety. “We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”
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