# Paapa Essiedu FINALLY Speaks Out After Snape Casting Backlash - My Thoughts

An episode of [Harry Potter Theory](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1626573626), 25 Mar 2026, 11 min.

Audio: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AUSBM7713246477.mp3?updated=1774402148

It was announced just over a year ago now that Paapa Essiedu would be taking on the role of Snape in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series. Aaand it’s been a pretty controversial casting to say the least. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where you really can’t have a discussion about any aspect of the series without people bringing it up. And up until now, Essiedu himself hadn’t actually addressed the backlash. But in a recent interview, he finally spoke out about what he’s been experiencing. Today I want to talk about what he said…But also—why this situation has gotten so out of control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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