HBO Harry Potter Casting Rumor: We may know our Professors McGonagall and Snape

As the HBO adaptation of Harry Potter goes further into production, more details are forthcoming on cast and crew members. John Lithgow has been drawing attention already for appearing to confirm his casting as Albus Dumbledore. Now, we have more rumors to report. Here's what we know about the prospective actors for Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape.

Who might be cast?

The rumor of Paapa Essiedu filling Alan Rickman's shoes as Severus Snape is not new, We are now hearing from Deadline that "HBO is closing in on two more main cast members for its high-profile series adaptation of the hugely popular Harry Potter fantasy books." This is closer to confirmation than the December 8 rumor, but the statement from HBO is the same and it's important to remember this when considering how fervently people are arguing whether they support the actors or not:

"We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation...As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."

HBO

Like Alan Rickman, Paapa has a background in Shakespeare. He was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his role as Kwame in 2021's I May Destroy You. For his work in The Lazarus Project, he was a 2024 nominee for the BAFTA Awards' Leading Actor category. He is 34, sticking to Francesca Gardiner's claim that "the series will stick to the 'canonical' ages." (Alan Rickman was 55 at the time of the first movie's release.) Deadline remarks that "With the HBO series, theHarry Potter franchise continues to build a more inclusive and racially diverse universe, an effort that started with the casting of Noma Dumezwemi as Hermione in the long-running stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." As expected, the prospect of a racially-diverse casting of Snape is dividing opinions, though we here support the best actors for any roles.

Meanwhile, Minerva McGonagall has Janet McTeer "in negotiations" for the role. "McTeer is just a couple years younger than the late Maggie Smith was when she was cast as Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall in the film franchise two and a half decades ago." McTeer is known for having played Clementine Churchill in Into the Storm, for which she received an Emmy nomination and "has received Oscar nominations for her roles in TUmbleweeds, which also won her a Golden Globe, and Albert Nobbs." She won a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for A Doll's House.

We look forward to seeing rumors run into reality,, but encourage everyone to keep their minds open until HBO does the official announcements. The series is set to premiere in 2026 or 2027.