HBO is eyeing British actor Paapa Essiedu to play a major character in the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, which is set to debut in 2026.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 34-year-old actor has been offered the role of Professor Severus Snape, the Hogwarts potions master who is the story’s primary antagonist in the show’s first season.
The role was played by the late Alan Rickman in all eight Warner Bros. films.
Essiedu is best known for his role in I May Destroy You and got his start in the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played in productions of Hamlet and King Lear. He’s also had roles in the films Murder on the Orient Express and Men and in TV shows Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project, and the Black Mirror episode “Demon 79.”
“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,” HBO said in a statement.
HBO describes the upcoming Harry Potter series as “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years. Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic, and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
While no roles have officially been announced, Mark Rylance is reportedly close to signing a deal that will land him the role of Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
