The translation of the text «Новая серия Гарри Поттера на HBO: кастинг и вызовы актёров» into English is: «New Harry Potter Series on HBO: Casting and Actor Challenges»
26 march 2026 в 22:13
The new HBO series about Harry Potter invites fans to return to Hogwarts this December with a new cast portraying beloved characters. In addition to the main trio playing Harry, Hermione, and Ron, the rest of the cast includes actors with impressive resumes, including Papa Essiedu, who will play Professor Severus Snape.
Unfortunately, the British actor has faced racism and harsh criticism online following the announcement of his casting. However, as he told The Times in an interview in March 2026, «But this hate fuels me».
«And it makes me more passionate about making this character my own because I remember how I felt as a child», - Essiedu explained. «I imagined myself at Hogwarts on a broomstick, and the thought that a kid like me could see themselves represented in this world? That’s motivation not to be afraid of those who say they would rather I die than do a job I would be proud of».
Nevertheless, Essiedu noted that racism is «really important» because «the reality is that if I look on Instagram, I will see someone saying, 'I will come to your house and kill you.'»
«But yes, while I hope I will be okay, no one should have to face this for doing their job», - he emphasized. «Many people risk their lives in their work. I play a wizard in Harry Potter. And I would be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally».
Below, Hollywood Life has gathered some facts about Essiedu that you need to know while we wait for the release of the HBO series about Harry Potter.
Essiedu has been a fan of the Harry Potter books since childhood but has never watched the films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
«I was an avid reader as a child», - Essiedu told The Times in March 2026. «My mom couldn’t afford a nanny during the holidays, so she took me to the library. I loved Harry Potter. I had never seen the films, but the books were an escape for me when other things weren’t so easy».
Originally from Southwark, London, Essiedu has received Emmy and BAFTA nominations for his work in the BBC series «I May Destroy You».
Essiedu is a respected actor who has performed on stage and screen. He began his acting career by joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012, which led him to roles in «The Merry Wives of Windsor», - «Hamlet», - and «King Lear».
Outside of the stage, Essiedu has appeared in the series «Gangs of London», - «Project Lazarus», - and «Black Mirror: Demon 79»
Unfortunately, the British actor has faced racism and harsh criticism online following the announcement of his casting. However, as he told The Times in an interview in March 2026, «But this hate fuels me».
«And it makes me more passionate about making this character my own because I remember how I felt as a child», - Essiedu explained. «I imagined myself at Hogwarts on a broomstick, and the thought that a kid like me could see themselves represented in this world? That’s motivation not to be afraid of those who say they would rather I die than do a job I would be proud of».
Nevertheless, Essiedu noted that racism is «really important» because «the reality is that if I look on Instagram, I will see someone saying, 'I will come to your house and kill you.'»
«But yes, while I hope I will be okay, no one should have to face this for doing their job», - he emphasized. «Many people risk their lives in their work. I play a wizard in Harry Potter. And I would be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally».
Below, Hollywood Life has gathered some facts about Essiedu that you need to know while we wait for the release of the HBO series about Harry Potter.
Essiedu has been a fan of the Harry Potter books since childhood but has never watched the films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
«I was an avid reader as a child», - Essiedu told The Times in March 2026. «My mom couldn’t afford a nanny during the holidays, so she took me to the library. I loved Harry Potter. I had never seen the films, but the books were an escape for me when other things weren’t so easy».
Originally from Southwark, London, Essiedu has received Emmy and BAFTA nominations for his work in the BBC series «I May Destroy You».
Essiedu is a respected actor who has performed on stage and screen. He began his acting career by joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012, which led him to roles in «The Merry Wives of Windsor», - «Hamlet», - and «King Lear».
Outside of the stage, Essiedu has appeared in the series «Gangs of London», - «Project Lazarus», - and «Black Mirror: Demon 79»
© Kolganov Andrey
