{"id":572924,"date":"2026-03-29T22:21:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/572924\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T22:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:21:12","slug":"harry-potter-remake-officially-confirms-another-snape-change-with-1-book-scene-cut-from-the-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/572924\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Potter Remake Officially Confirms Another Snape Change With 1 Book Scene Cut From the Movie"},"content":{"rendered":"

A change to Severus Snape for HBO\u2019s Harry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/a> has quietly been confirmed. While some elements of the remake are sticking close to the Harry Potter<\/a> films \u2013 Nick Frost\u2019s Rubeus Hagrid looks pretty close to Robbie Coltrane\u2019s version, so far \u2013 others are diverting away. Part of this is to help forge its own identity, some of it is due to striving for greater book accuracy, and some is simply what works best for the show itself.<\/p>\n

This includes Snape himself, who is one of the most important characters to get right. In the TV show, he\u2019ll be brought to life by Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You). Fans have already had a couple of glimpses of him \u2013 he appears very briefly in the first trailer for the Harry Potter TV show<\/a>, and another still of him in the snow was also released by HBO. The casting of a Black actor has sadly, if predictably, caused controversy, with Essiedu even receiving death threats<\/a>, but there are elements of greater book accuracy in here.<\/p>\n

This includes Snape\u2019s involvement in the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, which he referees in the book. This wasn\u2019t included in the movie, but will be in the show \u2013 and we\u2019ll even get to see Snape on a broom, as the actor told Esquire<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s an episode with a lot of Quidditch, and my characters has to fly a broom. They built a whole stadium for that, and I saw one of the scenes where Harry has to fly and they\u2019ve got wires. Then I had to do mine, and my broom was on the end of this big mechanical arm. I was doing it, and it\u2019s not particularly comfortable, but whatever. Then I fell off, and I was hanging off my broom.\u201d<\/p>\n

A tease of this actually appears in the trailer, though it\u2019s a blink and you\u2019ll miss it moment [h\/t @HPNews_Germany<\/a> on X]. At around the 1:31 mark, Snape is walking out the tunnel behind carry, carrying his own broom. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc40 Did you notice this detail in the HBO #HarryPotter<\/a> trailer? Severus Snape, played by Paapa Essiedu, can be seen rushing out of the Quidditch changing room ahead of the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match, confirming he will serve as referee!\ud83e\uddf9 pic.twitter.com\/BPt8touqWA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Harry Potter World Report (@HPNews_Germany) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This also, presumably, explains the outfit he\u2019s wearing that includes a zipper, something that\u2019s also already caused its own controversy, with that shot coming shortly after the Quidditch match. In the book, Harry follows him to the Forbidden Forest after the game, where the Potions Master is meeting with Professor Quirrell, and so the scene in the image below is likely that one.<\/p>\n

The Harry Potter TV Show\u2019s Snape Will Be Different From The Movies \u2013 And That\u2019s Good<\/p>\n

\"SnapeImage via HBO Max<\/p>\n

Rickman\u2019s portrayal of Snape is one of the most beloved parts of the Harry Potter movies<\/a>, so it would be a huge challenge to top that regardless of who took on the role. But doing something different is the smarter approach. If you cast someone who looks like Rickman, and who then gives a performance similar to him, all you\u2019re going to get is a Rickman-redux that pales in comparison. With Essiedu\u2019s casting, there\u2019s an actual chance for reinvention, and even to go closer to the books.<\/p>\n

As incredible as Rickman was, his Snape was not entirely book accurate (something a lot of the bad faith complaints about the new casting conveniently forget). For starters, he was much older: Snape is in his early 30s when the books begin; Rickman was in his mid-50s in the first movie. Essiedu is 35, shifting things back towards the character\u2019s book age.<\/p>\n

With that comes his characterization. Rickman\u2019s version was nowhere near as bitter, angry, or malicious. He might not have been Mr. Nice Guy, but he was way more likable than the books, and far more calm and composed. That makes sense with the age change, because Snape still acting like that in his 50s wouldn\u2019t work since he should\u2019ve matured more, and it clearly worked for the movies. But with Essiedu being much younger, it also makes more sense to have more of that personality from the books. He\u2019s unquestionably a fantastic actor, and it\u2019ll be great to see how he tackles that.<\/p>\n

The inclusion of the Quidditch scene<\/a>, with Snape on a broom, is also an encouraging sign. The expanded runtime of the TV series means it can include scenes that the movies didn\u2019t have time for, like this, and add in things that aren\u2019t even on the page to flesh out the characters and world even more. This doesn\u2019t mean it will necessarily be better than the movies because of that, but that it can provide its own worthwhile experience.<\/p>\n

In terms of Snape, specifically, because his full arc his known from the outset, it could layer things in throughout the entire series that build to the big reveals with his character. This is one of the richest, most complex characters in the entire Harry Potter saga, and there should be faith that Essiedu can pull it off, and whether he does or not won\u2019t be contingent on the color of his skin. The actor had a great response when asked why he\u2019d taken on the role, and it\u2019s something everyone could do with remembering:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe themes that run through Harry Potter are of love triumphing over hate \u2014 of acceptance. And that\u2019s why I\u2019m doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone releases Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.<\/p>\n