The casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has sparked quite the firestorm—not just because he’s stepping into a role immortalized by the legendary Alan Rickman, but also due to his recent public stance in support of the trans and LGBTQ+ community.
The controversy stems from the complex and polarizing position of J.K. Rowling, whose outspoken views on gender identity and trans rights have drawn both fierce criticism and steadfast support. Essiedu, by signing a letter supporting the LGBTQ+ community in light of a recent Supreme Court gender ruling, placed himself squarely in solidarity with those who feel marginalized by Rowling’s rhetoric.
Naturally, this raised eyebrows.
Here’s what’s unfolded:
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Activists and critics accused Essiedu of hypocrisy, saying you can’t support trans rights while simultaneously benefiting from a Rowling-backed franchise.
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One activist called his stance “virtue-signaling” and “hollow,” arguing that participating in the series helps fund a person whose views have harmed the community he claims to support.
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Online debates erupted, with some calling for him to denounce Rowling, while others labeled the backlash as unfair, noting that actors don’t have control over franchise ownership and often work under complex systems of power.
A source told MailOnline that Rowling “doesn’t care” about Essiedu’s letter. She’s allegedly focusing on business, seeing Harry Potter as bigger than any one cast member. In other words: the train moves, with or without alignment from every passenger.
This situation exemplifies the tension between artistic opportunity and ethical alignment. For Essiedu, being cast as Snape could be a career-defining move—one few actors would decline. Yet, it puts him under a microscope, especially as a public ally to communities who feel deeply harmed by the franchise’s creator.
As of now, Essiedu has not responded publicly, and he won’t be fired from the project, per reports.