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Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information about the Harry Potter television series. As such, spoilers will be present within the article. |
Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu (born 11 June 1990, London, England) is an English actor who will portray Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series.[1][2]
Personal life[]
Paapa Essiedu, born on 11 June 1990 in London to Ghanaian parents, was raised in Walthamstow by his mother, a fashion and design teacher. His father returned to Ghana and passed away when Essiedu was fourteen. He attended Forest School on a scholarship, initially aspiring to be a doctor before developing an interest in acting, encouraged by his A-level Drama teacher. He later trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he met Michaela Coel. His mother passed away from breast cancer while he was in drama school. Essiedu is married to actress and comedian Rosa Robson, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2016.[3]
Career[]
2010s-2020s[]
Paapa Essiedu's career began with roles in prominent theatre productions, including his 2012 role as Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). He later joined the National Theatre, where he stepped in for an ailing actor in King Lear to critical acclaim. Essiedu's major roles include Hamlet and Edmund in King Lear, where his Hamlet was praised for its dynamic performance, and his Edmund for its chilling cynicism. He also appeared in various stage plays such as You For Me For You and Black Jesus.[3]
In television, Essiedu gained recognition with roles in A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016), The Miniaturist (2017), Kiri (2018), and Press (2018). He made his film debut in Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and acted in The Convert (2018), which garnered praise for his performance alongside Letitia Wright.[3]
From 2020 to 2022, Essiedu starred in Gangs of London and played Kwame in I May Destroy You, earning critical acclaim and multiple nominations, including an Emmy. He also portrayed George Boleyn in Anne Boleyn. In 2022, he returned to theatre with A Number at The Old Vic and starred in The Lazarus Project, for which he received a BAFTA nomination. He also appeared in Men (2022) and The Capture.[3]
Harry Potter franchise[]
Essiedu was rumoured to be in consideration in early 2024 before he finalised his deal to play Professor Snape in the series, and the casting choice has sparked widespread debate. While known for his acclaimed performances, Essiedu's casting marks a departure from Snape's book description. Some fans see it as a step towards diversity, while others criticise it as corporate pandering or unnecessary race-swapping.[2]
He was confirmed to take part as Professor Snape on 14 April 2025.[4]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ ‘Harry Potter’: Janet McTeer In Negotiations To Play McGonagall; Paapa Essiedu Near Deal To Play Snape In HBO Series
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Paapa Essiedu As Snape Sets Off Five Different ‘Harry Potter’ Controversies
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3
Paapa Essiedu on Wikipedia
- ↑ HBO Original Harry Potter Series Casts John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon, And Paul Whitehouse
| The cast of the Harry Potter television series | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| J. K. Rowling (original author & producer) · Francesca Gardiner (executive producer, showrunner & screenwriter) · Ruth Kenley-Letts (executive producer) · Neil Blair (executive producer) · Mark Mylod (executive producer) · David Heyman (producer) · Josephine Gardiner (screenwriter) · Laura Neal (screenwriter) · Ripley Parker (screenwriter) | |||
| Credited | |||
|
Dominic McLaughlin · Arabella Stanton · Alastair Stout · Leo Earley · Alessia Leoni · Sienna Moosah · Lox Pratt · John Lithgow · Janet McTeer · Paapa Essiedu · Nick Frost · Luke Thallon · Paul Whitehouse · Katherine Parkinson · Bel Powley · Daniel Rigby · Bertie Carvel · Johnny Flynn | |||