JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series Involvement & Controversy Get Definitive Response From Snape Actor

Published Nov 10, 2026, 12:39 PM EST Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour. Sign in to your ScreenRant account This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.Harry Potter star Paapa Essiedu spoke out about J.K. Rowling's controversial views ahead of the TV show reboot's premiere. In 2019, Rowling, one of the best-selling authors of all time thanks to the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter book series, started speaking out against transgender rights. Since then, she has taken to social media every so often to continue her anti-trans crusade. After spending years writing stories with messages of acceptance, equality and fighting injustice, her controversial stances have clouded the beloved franchise, despite it still being extremely popular. While speaking to Vanity Fair, Essiedu, who's playing Severus Snape in the upcoming TV series, admitted that he doesn't want to "speak about Jo's politics or be a mouthpiece for her," and went so far as to say he doesn't want to talk about Rowling "at all," despite the author being an executive producer on the show. Essiedu then made it clear that he doesn't agree with her views, stating unequivocally that "trans people, queer people, people of all creeds and color have got the right to be treated with respect and dignity and safety at all times." This isn't the first time that Essiedu has talked publicly about being pro-trans rights since being cast as Snape. The last time he did so, via an open letter, Rowling reacted to the development, claiming that Essiedu has the legal right to hold his views, even if they differ from hers, and that she wouldn't want to see him fired from the role. For his part, Essiedu also told Vanity Fair that, despite Rowling being a very polarizing figure now, he wanted to be a part of the Harry Potter remake because the "themes of forgiveness, and good triumphing over evil, and of accepting people for who they are and allowing people to really be themselves within a world where anything is possible" are still really important messages to showcase and have the "potential to do really, really, really beautiful things." Unfortunately, Essiedu has also come under fire for his involvement with the Harry Potter franchise but not for anything he has said or done. After he joined the cast, some people took to social media to complain that a Black man would be playing Snape. It got so bad that he was even on the receiving end of death threats. More to come...