Alright, Potterheads, grab your wands and memorize your spells, because we’re diving into the ongoing debate that’s got the fandom into a frenzy! The rumor surrounding HBO’s Harry Potter TV reboot casting I May Destroy You star, Paapa Essiedu, as Severus Snape. And, of course, netizens are losing their minds over a potential Black Snape.
Ever since this speculation made headlines, fans have been constantly bickering about Severus Snape’s color description in the novels. Some mentioned how J.K. Rowling skipped addressing Snape’s skin tone, others asserted that Snape is White. Now, while one line from the books can dismiss this whole debate, let’s look at the bigger picture—if a Black Snape can work for HBO’s reboot.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban hinted at Severus Snape’s skin tone
It’s been months since Paapa Essiedu’s casting rumor as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter TV reboot has been making rounds on the internet, taking away people’s sleep at night. Now, while we all know that it’s going to be almost impossible to fill Alan Rickman’s shoes—who previously played the role of Snape in the films—it’s particularly Essiedu’s race that has been bothering people.
Since the rumors of his casting, fans have been insistently debating about Severus Snape’s race and skin tone, as mentioned in the books. Now, while a few fans believe Snape was White, others argue that his skin tone was never really mentioned in the books. Well, to be fair, J.K. Rowling might have skipped addressing Snape’s race with distinction, but she quite sneakily hinted at the character’s skin tone.
So, let’s grab our Time-Turners and go back to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14, Snape’s Grudge. This is where we get one of the few physical descriptions of Snape’s skin tone. Rowling mentions “Snape’s sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk”. Well, this isn’t the only segment from the book that hints at Snape’s skin tone. Even a line from Order of the Phoenix Chapter 28, Snape’s Worst Memory states “Snape’s lips were shaking, his face was white, his teeth were bared”.
Now, let’s break down this line. The word “sallow” from Prisoner of Azkaban typically means a pale or sickly yellowish color. But when it’s followed by “the color of sour milk,” it seems to suggest something even paler. And as for the line from Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling seemed quite direct about describing Snape’s face as “white”. Based on these lines and further descriptions of the character, a book-accurate Snape is supposed to be a thin, pale man, with a hooked nose.
Can Paapa Essiedu’s Severus Snape casting work for HBO’s TV reboot?
While we might have cracked the code on Severus Snape’s skin tone and race, let’s think beyond just book descriptions. Because, Snape’s defining traits are not his skin tone but his greasy-haired appearance with a hooked nose, and, most importantly, his deeply complicated personality. It’s his bitterness, his undying love for Lily, and his morally gray actions that make him one of the most fascinating characters in the series.
So now, the debate is no longer about HBO casting a Black actor to play Snape. But it’s about whether Paapa Essiedu can embody Snape’s essence. Because previously, Hermione was famously race-swapped in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatrical play. And fans were quick to embrace the change when they saw how brilliantly Noma Dumezweni portrayed her.
Considering how Paapa Essiedu is known for his stellar performances in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London, there seems to be a high possibility of him bringing the same gravitas and intensity to the screen to play Severus Snape. He has that sharp, piercing gaze and the ability to command a scene with just a few words—both essential Snape qualities.
Let’s be real, Snape’s character isn’t about his race—it’s about his tragedy, redemption, and morally ambiguous choices. His story is one of love, loss, and sacrifice, and as long as Paapa Essiedu can bring that depth to life, his skin color or race shouldn’t matter. It’s high time we give actors a chance to embrace roles beyond their physical appearances because otherwise, fans’ doubts would have led us to miss out on Heath Ledger’s Joker.
Remember how his casting was questioned before he delivered one of the best performances in cinematic history? Yeah well, don’t let history repeat itself. So if you find yourself asking whether a Black Snape will work or not, let’s just say—if done thoughtfully and respectfully—always.
The Harry Potter films are available to watch on Max.
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