The new Severus Snape actor is “closing his deal” for the Harry Potter HBO series.
HBO is currently working on a high-profile television show that adapts the Harry Potter fantasy books. John Lithgow is playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in the series, while it was recently announced that Janet McTeer is in negotiations to play Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Who is being eyed to play Severus Snape in the Harry Potter HBO show?
It was reported in December 2024 that Paapa Essiedu was not only in consideration for the part of Professor Severus Snape, but that he had been offered the role.
According to Deadline, Essiedu is now “closing his deal,” meaning that, while it’s not official at this time, he’ll likely be cast in the series.
“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” HBO told Deadline in a statement. “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
Essiedu is known for starring in television shows such as Gangs of London, I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project, Black Mirror, and Black Doves. He played Sergeant Campbell in Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express remake that was released in 2017 before he then went on to star in 2022’s Men, 2023’s Genie, and 2024’s The Outrun.
He’s also attached to a British comedy horror movie directed by Craig Roberts, titled The Scurry, which is about a gang of murderous squirrels. That movie does not yet have a release date but will also star Ella Purnell, Rhys Ifans, and Antonia Thomas.
The Harry Potter TV series comes from writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director and executive producer Mark Mylod. A release date has not yet been set, though Deadline notes it will likely premiere “in late 2026 or early 2027.”
