The first trailer for the new Harry Potter series arrived last week (March 25), giving audiences their first look at HBO's adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The series boasts a wide ensemble. Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton take on Harry, Ron, and Hermione. John Lithgow stars as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Luke Thallon, Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby, Katherine Parkinson, Rory Wilmot, Amos Kitson, and Anton Lesser fill other key roles.
Watch the official trailer below:
Related: HBO's ‘Harry Potter' Could Bring Back More Actors From the Films : Disney Fanatic
The footage reveals a darker Hogwarts and a more mature tone than we got in the first Harry Potter film, and we also get our first look at the new cast, including Snape — played by Paapa Essiedu — who can be seen in a shadowy corridor with his wand raised.
Snape is played by Paapa Essiedu (Gangs of London, I May Destroy You, Black Mirror). The role was immortalized on screen by the late Alan Rickman in the eight Harry Potter films; however, Essiedu's casting has drawn mixed reactions since it was announced last year.
Concerns revolve around the fact that a Black actor has been cast as a character who was written as White in the books (and of course played by a White actor in the films).
While some criticisms around changes to the character are valid, racist comments, social media posts, memes, and AI-generated videos have only intensified since the trailer dropped.
What's worse is that Essiedu has received messages directly from these online trolls, which have even included death threats. He recently told The Times, “If I look at Instagram, I will see somebody saying, ‘I'm going to come to your house and kill you.'”
In response, HBO has reportedly tightened security on set.
Despite describing the series as a “faithful adaptation” of J. K. Rowling's seven books, it's clear HBO and Warner Bros. are making changes to characters like Snape.
HBO also released an image of Essiedu out in the snow wearing what appears to be a zip-up attire, something fans would not typically associate with the Potions Master, who's often seen with his long, dark cloak trailing behind him as he patrols Hogwarts Castle.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Essiedu explained how the series also includes a scene where Snape is flying on a broom during Quidditch, which does not appear in the first book (although he does referee a match).
We'll just have to wait and see Essiedu's performance later this year to see just how different HBO's Snape will be. Either way, here's hoping he uses that magic of his to silence some of those trolls.
What do you think about Paapa Essiedu being cast as Snape? Do you like the official trailer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
