Harry Potter TV series star Paapa Essiedu says "I don't want to talk about" JK Rowling and voices support for trans community

The new Snape draws a firm line on the author while reaffirming his beliefs.

Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in HBO's Harry Potter

HBO

Published: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 2:42 pm

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Paapa Essiedu, the actor stepping into the role of Severus Snape in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter television series, has drawn a firm line on discussing author JK Rowling while reaffirming his support for the trans community.

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In a Vanity Fair profile published this week, Essiedu was asked about Rowling. His response was unequivocal: "I don't want to talk about Jo at all."

The I May Destroy You star, who signed an open letter supporting transgender, nonbinary and intersex people before his casting was announced, said he did not want to be cast as Rowling's opposite or to act as her mouthpiece, telling the magazine he has been consistent about where he stands.

Essiedu set out his position plainly. "I believe, in my bones, that trans people, queer people, people of all creeds and colour have got the right to be treated with respect and dignity and safety at all times, whether they're in the workplace, whether they're at home or in the street, whatever," he said. "That's what I believe, and that's the way that I choose to live my life. That's the creed by which I live".

Paapa Essiedu poses as he attends the 2024 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, held in partnership with The Platinum Card by American Express, at Claridge's Hotel on November 5, 2024 in London, England.

Paapa Essiedu attends the 2024 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, held in partnership with The Platinum Card by American Express, at Claridge's Hotel on November 5, 2024 in London, England. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar UK

Before his casting, Essiedu had signed an open letter condemning the UK Supreme Court's ruling that transgender women are not legally considered women and transgender men are not legally considered men. Fans speculated that his stance put him at odds with Rowling, who created the Harry Potter books. Other cast members, including Bel Powley, have also spoken out on the author's views.

Rowling addressed the matter on X in May, writing: "I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall.

Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”.

In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”.

Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received.

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The casting of a Black actor as Snape has also drawn a wave of racist abuse online for Essiedu, who first spoke to The Sunday Times in March about racially motivated death threats, saying he had been told, "Quit or I'll murder you."

He added: "Nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job... I'm playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I'd be lying if I said it doesn't affect me emotionally."

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner condemned the treatment of her lead in the new Vanity Fair piece. "It's appalling that anyone should be subjected to that kind of abuse in any circumstances," she said. "He has handled it with incredible grace, and I have nothing but the greatest respect for him. Paapa has absolutely nailed the role, and it is that performance that deserves our attention".

Essiedu told Vanity Fair he welcomes fair criticism of his work but distinguishes it from prejudice.

"There's some people who are just like, 'I've done my research, and I know what kind of actor you are, and you suck.' And they're totally entitled to their opinion," he said. "But then there are the people who are like, 'You are bad because you are Black', which, to me, is racist".

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The Harry Potter TV series will be available to watch on HBO Max from 25 December 2026.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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