Summary

Essiedu's casting as Snape will bring a fresh twist to the character, diverging from previous portrayals.
Bold decisions by HBO aim to create a unique Harry Potter experience.
HBO must differentiate the show from the movies to attract fans, and quality performances will be key.

HBO's Harry Potter has been commanding everyone's attention from the moment the show was announced, and that attention has been ramped up recently due to the casting announcements. Fans have been keen to see who will be taking on each role, comparing them with the actors who played the parts in the movie series.

HBO has made some bold calls, such as casting John Lithgow to play Albus Dumbledore. However, the Harry Potter casting that has been the most divisive is Paapa Essiedu taking on the role of Severus Snape, but that decision should benefit the show in the long run.

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By Matthew Wilkinson

Paapa Essiedu's Harry Potter Casting Has Upset Some Fans

HBO's Bold Decision Goes Against JK Rowling's Books

Essiedu was one of the first actors to be announced as part of HBO's Harry Potter cast, and from that moment onward, people have been questioning whether or not he's the right man for the job. The main reason is that it's a significant departure from the books. JK Rowling describes the Hogwarts teacher as having sallow skin, and many people believe that Essiedu doesn't match that description, which has led to complaints. Audiences have the movie version of Snape in their minds, and given that Essiedu is the opposite of that, there have been some complaints regarding HBO's decision to cast him in such an iconic role.

Former Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the movie series, has recently blasted people complaining about Essiedu's casting. He stated that "what they're being is racist," while insisting that people will end up "swallowing their tongues" when they see what he brings to the role. Unfortunately, there is an element of racism to the complaints about a person of color taking on the role of Snape. Still, there's no doubt that Essiedu is a talented actor, and he will bring a lot of quality to HBO's Harry Potter, which should be all that people care about.

Paapa Essiedu Will Bring A New Twist To The Role Of Severus Snape

Harry Potter Fans Didn't Want An Alan Rickman Imitation

HBO's Harry Potter will provide a fresh approach across the board to the entire franchise, even though it is set to be another retelling of the original books. That is going to include how Snape is presented throughout the show, both in terms of how he looks and acts. There might be unique scenes that weren't part of the Harry Potter movies that will allow him to be shown in a new light, which is something that Essiedu can dive into. Having a different take on the character will make the casting decision less controversial once the show has begun, with the discourse likely moving onto something new.

Of course, when Harry Potter fans think about Snape, they immediately go to Alan Rickman. The legendary actor did such a terrific job of portraying the menacing potions master that the idea of anybody else bringing that role to life seems strange. But that's what makes Essiedu's diverse casting even more important, because it will ensure that this version of Snape is nothing like what Rickman did. That isn't just in terms of skin color either, as Essiedu will bring a different personality and tone to everything that he does. People don't want to see someone deliver an imitation of Rickman, because that is always going to feel cheap and disingenuous. It will be impossible to deliver the role of Snape in the manner that he did, which is why it will be crucial for Essiedu to do something totally different with the character. Given his talent as an actor, there's no doubt that he is capable of doing that, which will help him win over anybody who has complained about him being in the show.

HBO's Harry Potter Has To Be Unique In Order To Succeed

HBO Must Give Fans A Reason To Tune In And Watch

HBO's Harry Potter needs to do everything in its power to be different from the movie series if it wants to succeed in the long term. While there will always be an interest in an intellectual property the size of Harry Potter, the fact is that the movie series isn't that old. This show will be telling the exact same story; therefore, there needs to be a reason for Harry Potter fans to choose this version over the films that have already proven to be wildly successful. That isn't a simple task, but ensuring that the characters have tweaks both in terms of presentation and delivery will go a long way in making that happen. However, it isn't just to make Snape look unique as to why Essiedu has been hired for this role. He's a gifted actor, and that is something that will come across in his performances throughout the series. Therefore, while it might be a bold decision on HBO's behalf, it will benefit this version of Harry Potter in the end, as the quality will shine through to make Snape just as compelling.

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