Why Paapa Essiedu’s Casting as Severus Snape in HBO’s Harry Potter Series is Perfect

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As the new shape of Severus Snape begins to emerge, some enthusiasts are finding it difficult to accept one particular casting choice. This new Snape will be portrayed by Paapa Essiedu, a British actor. Unfortunately, some fans have been critical due to Essiedu being of African descent, which contrasts with their perception of Snape as a white character. So far, J.K. Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, has remained silent on this matter, but that hasn’t prevented vocal fans from expressing their dissatisfaction with Essiedu’s casting.

Although it’s challenging to surpass the memorable and spine-tingling performance of Alan Rickman as Snape in the initial Harry Potter film series featuring Daniel Radcliffe, it’s important to acknowledge that Essiedu possesses the acting prowess to embody Snape, making the discussions about his race unnecessary. In fact, there are two performances by Essiedu that showcase his acting versatility and give a hint of how convincingly he can play Snape in future adaptations. These shows are definitely worth watching for a glimpse into his potential as the character.

Paapa Essideu Was a Tragic Character In HBO’s I May Destroy You

Essideu’s Kwame Had to Rebuild Himself After Personal Torment

In 2020, the HBO series “I May Destroy You” was broadcasted. This 12-episode show centered around Paapa Essiedu’s character Kwame and his friends Arabella and Terry in London. Their friendships were put to the test due to personal conflicts, self-doubt, and the fast pace of city life. Much of the plot revolved around Arabella’s intense pursuit of a book deal. As for Kwame, he found himself drawing away from the group to delve deeper into his queer identity, as he prepared to reveal this aspect of himself to significant people in his life.

One experience left Kwame feeling deeply scarred and burdened with a heavy load of pain, remorse, and despair. After using an app to demonstrate to a man named Damon what a night out in the gay community would be like, he was sexually assaulted. This incident stripped him of his innocence and made him feel powerless. He felt devalued when the police dismissed his accusations, reflecting societal prejudices against men who are victims of rape.

Essiedu’s Kwame experienced a whirlwind of emotions, particularly when he felt betrayed by his friends. He found himself isolated, yet eventually, they came around to stand by him. Kwame understood that his friends were dealing with their own struggles related to misogyny and sexual assault, as well as disregard for consent. This character reflects the complexity of Severus Snape in the original work. Many viewed him as a cruel teacher of Dark Arts who despised Harry, but he was actually on Dumbledore’s side. Snape served as a secret agent, working covertly to undermine Voldemort’s following. He sacrificed his life for this cause, but ultimately, he earned redemption through his affection for Harry’s mother, Lily.

In a different phrasing: Snape harbored resentment towards himself for hating Harry’s father, James. He didn’t appreciate the feelings of jealousy and guilt over Voldemort’s murder of the couple, which left him feeling isolated and full of self-contempt. Beneath his cold demeanor, Snape questioned his place in the world. Essiedu’s Kwame is a character who can persevere, particularly as he triumphs over obstacles to develop his romantic storyline with Damon. The themes of romance, heartbreak, and drama are well-suited for Snape, who, like Kwame, had to reinvent himself as the protagonist of his own life’s journey.

Paapa Essideu Was a Magical Master In Black Mirror Season 6

Essideu’s Gaap Was a Demon Toying With Dark Forces

In the episode “Demon 79,” Paapa Essiedue portrayed a character who was secretly a powerful supernatural being – Snape-like in his complexity, at times stern, other times cunning, and ultimately hopeful hidden beneath his deceptive facade. He embodied Gaap, a demonic genie, on Earth. His mission was to manipulate the protagonist, Nida, into taking three lives to avert an apocalypse in Britain. Simultaneously, he aimed to train her and accumulate souls for the underworld.

As Gaap corrupted Nida more and more, the situation became increasingly disorderly. He displayed prophetic visions to her, acting as a true sorcerer, while simultaneously shaping reality according to his desires. However, it should be noted that he was somewhat hypocritical since he violated rules to prevent Nida from assassinating a politically prejudiced figure known as Smart. Gaap admitted to having a liking for Smart because of the numerous souls he could potentially cultivate in the future. During this tumultuous relationship, Gaap and Nida developed feelings for each other, showing one another empathy. This led them to venture into a pocket dimension together when Nida failed and the end of times occurred. This experience revealed Gaap’s hidden kindness and light.

Black Mirror “Demon 79” Details

Release Date Writers Director IMDb Rating
Jun. 15, 2023 Charlie Brooker, Bisha K. Ali Toby Haynes 6.7/10

Gaap didn’t hesitate to give up his own future in order to be with Nida. Since he wasn’t yet a fully developed hero, he felt that any semblance of happiness he could find should be fully enjoyed. Essideu, while perhaps more sinister, managed to garner fan support as they witnessed him genuinely trying to do what was right.

In essence, Essideu encapsulates every emotion associated with every Snape story arc, which is why critical fans need not worry about it too much.

You can catch up with “I May Destroy You” over on Max. If you’re looking for all seven seasons of “Black Mirror”, they’re conveniently waiting for you on Netflix.

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2025-04-21 05:12