HBO’s new TV series is set to premiere in 2027, featuring a largely unknown cast. Paapa Essiedu will be taking on the iconic role of Severus Snape, a character previously and memorably played by Alan Rickman.
The upcoming adaptation of the book series will feature a more age-appropriate actor to play the character, and 35-year-old Paapa Essiedu is taking on the role. Essiedu is a seasoned actor with a strong track record, and those unfamiliar with his work can currently catch him in the sci-fi thriller The Lazarus Project on Netflix, but it will be removed on January 28th.
Essiedu’s latest TV show, The Lazarus Project, has received critical acclaim. Created and written by Joe Barton, the sci-fi series first aired on Sky Max on June 16, 2022, and was quickly renewed for a second season, returning on November 15, 2023. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews, the show was canceled after its second season.
The show centers around George, played by Essiedu, who starts to believe he’s losing his grip on reality when he gets stuck repeating the same day, much like in the movie Groundhog Day.
When George unexpectedly meets a man named Archie, he discovers he’s surprisingly grounded, even though the world around him is bizarre. Now aware of his unique abilities to perceive and potentially manipulate time and space, George faces a difficult choice: remain dedicated to a group working to protect the world, or use his powers to change the past and help a friend.
The show premiered on Netflix in July 2025 and quickly gained attention. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to save it, and viewers still have time to watch the complete two seasons – a total of 16 episodes – before it’s removed from the platform.
The cast also featured Charly Clive, Anjli Mohindra, Rudi Dharmalingam, Caroline Quentin, Vinette Robinson, Brian Gleeson, and Tom Burke, in addition to Essiedu.
The show has a perfect 100% rating, but this is largely due to the first season. The second season doesn’t have enough reviews to generate its own score, though the four reviews it does have are all positive. Overall, viewers give the show a 75% rating, boosted by an impressive 78% score for the second season.
Paapa Essiedu’s Previous Credits Have Thrilling Scores
Paapa Essiedu’s success with The Lazarus Project isn’t an isolated case. Despite starring in the poorly received limited series Anne Boleyn – which critics gave a 50% rating and audiences rated a mere 4% due to negative reviews – he’s proven his talent and appeal.
Despite the recent criticism, Essiedu’s other work has consistently received excellent reviews. He started his television career with National Treasure, a highly praised show with a 97% critic score and 91% audience score. He’s also appeared in other popular and well-regarded series like Press on Masterpiece, Black Earth Rising, Black Mirror, and The Capture. Notably, he starred in an HBO limited series that critics almost universally loved, giving it a 98% approval rating.
He’s gained valuable experience working on highly acclaimed TV shows, which will be beneficial when he stars in a new project in 2027. The actor has already earned recognition for his work, including two BAFTA nominations for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, and an Emmy nomination for I May Destroy You.
The Lazarus Project leaves Netflix on Jan. 28.
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2026-01-25 02:41