Harry Potter star Paapa Essiedu says he’s been ‘really supported’ by show after backing trans community
Paapa Essiedu (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper’s Bazaar UK)
Paapa Essiedu has said he feels “really supported” by the team behind HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter adaptation after publicly backing the trans community.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Essiedu said he stands by his decision to sign an open letter calling for stronger protections for trans, non-binary and intersex people in the film and TV industry.
“My points of view are mine and will continue to be so,” he said, adding that he would “sign that letter again today”.
The letter, supported by hundreds of creatives including Bella Ramsey and Nicola Coughlan, which was released following a UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of sex in 2025, urged organisations such as BAFTA and the BBC to take action to protect trans people working in the industry.
Essiedu said the production team has been supportive of his position, emphasising his belief that trans artists “have a right to be treated with dignity and should be able to work without being intimidated”.
Who is Paapa Essiedu playing in Harry Potter?
The actor was cast as Potions professor Severus Snape in April 2025. The role was played by Alan Rickman in the original films.
Many other roles have been confirmed for the series, which is due for release early next year.
John Lithgow will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
He recently spoke of the role, admitting he almost quit after backlash. Many people are unhappy that the show, on which author JK Rowling is an executive producer, is happening, given her vocal “gender-critical” views.
Lithgow, who said he sees Harry Potter as being “against intolerance and bigotry”, told The New York Times he expects to be asked about it in “every interview I will ever do for the rest of my life”.
He previously told The Hollywood Reporter that he found it “ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views”.
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