10 Shocking Facts About Harry Potter’s New Snape Actor Paapa Essiedu

There are several topics sure to spark heated debates online: putting pineapples on pizzas, the skibidi toilet trend, and casting decisions for franchise revivals, such as the choice of the new Professor Severus Snape in the forthcoming Harry Potter television series.

It’s only recently that HBO announced Paapa Essiedu as the brooding charm-master, but it might seem like he’s taking over the role of the Queen of Britain (he isn’t; instead, he’s portraying a fictional potions professor with an oily fringe and a grand sense of self-importance).

Previously, there have been demands (including a petition) suggesting that Adam Driver should take over his role instead. Now, don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of Kylo Ren, but just because someone has a deep voice and long hair doesn’t mean they are automatically fit to educate Defense Against the Dark Arts.

In case you haven’t heard, Paapa Essiedu is an extraordinary actor! His versatility has been showcased in numerous successful TV shows and films, and he even managed to breathe fresh life into Shakespearean characters. Here are ten fascinating facts about Essiedu that make him an excellent candidate for the next Severus Snape.

Paapa Essiedu is a phenomenal actor who’s proven his talent across various hit TV shows and movies, even giving a modern twist to Shakespeare! Check out these ten intriguing facts about Essiedu that show why he’d be the perfect fit for Severus Snape.

Paapa Essiedu made Shakespearean history

Apart from revitalizing Shakespeare’s appeal, Essiedu notably achieved a historical milestone in 2016 by becoming the initial Black actor to portray Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

At that point, he was merely 25 years old, yet he managed to gain significant recognition by making the character uniquely his own – much like he is expected to do when assuming the role of Snape in the Harry Potter series.

Essiedu was subsequently honored with the Ian Charleson Award for his portrayal in Hamlet and as Edmund in King Lear, two of Shakespeare’s works. He’s practically a master of British classics; the only thing left for him now is to land a role as a Time Lord and enjoy a beer at the Queen Vic.

He shares an unexpected link with Alan Rickman

Instead of emphasizing that both Essiedu and Alan Rickman were associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, let’s add some flair by pointing out a more intriguing connection: They both played Rasputin in their acting careers.

In brief, Rickman portrayed Grigori Rasputin, a Russian mystic and faith healer from the 1800s, in the 1996 miniseries titled “Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.” Meanwhile, Essiedu made an appearance in the sixth season of Black Mirror, specifically in the episode ‘Demon 79’, where he took on a demonic representation of the singer from Boney M.

Reminders: Boney M’s famous song was ‘Rasputin’, which portrays the main character as a womanizing, mystical healer, and clever political figure. The tune is also featured in an episode of Black Mirror, explaining why Essiedu’s Gaap resembles the singer.

Indeed, I may be stretching things a bit, but isn’t it an intriguing coincidence, wouldn’t you say? I believe GAAP would find it amusing as well.

Paapa Essiedu nearly became a doctor

Previously, Essiedu had aspirations of becoming a physician before venturing into the acting profession. In fact, he had been accepted into University College London to pursue a medical degree.

As I delved deeper into my academic journey, I found myself increasingly drawn towards acting, particularly after selecting drama as part of my A-level studies.

Initially, it seemed certain that Essiedu would attend UCL, but instead, he chose to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. It was there that he crossed paths with fellow Black Mirror actor, Michaela Coel. Incidentally…

Essiedu will destroy you in I May Destroy You

In a subsequent move, Coel penned and performed in the gritty BBC series titled “I May Destroy You,” which is rooted in her personal encounters and delves into complex topics like sexual misconduct, consent, self-discovery, racial issues, and LGBTQ+ matters with remarkable empathy and unwavering authenticity.

In the play, Essiedu portrays Kwame, who is Arabella’s (Coel’s) closest friend and happens to be gay, grappling with the aftermath of sexual assault. His acting skills are exceptional, ensuring that audiences will likely feel both heart-wrenching sadness and profound admiration.

Apart from receiving acclaim for his portrayal of Kwame, he also leveraged his position to champion genuine representation. He underscored the significance of showcasing complex Black stories in television.

Working together with Coel, he transformed the character to fit himself perfectly, explaining to Vanity Fair that at first, Kwame was much more boisterous and dominant. Instead, he found a more intriguing path – focusing on what the character doesn’t express rather than what he does.

Paapa Essiedu overcame personal tragedy

Essiedu openly shares that he felt deep sorrow during his early life, a feeling he translates into his acting work.

Born and brought up in Walthamstow, which is located in London, by his mom – a fashion designer and educator – the actor spent his childhood. His dad, who hailed from Ghana, went back to his homeland when Essiedu was only 14 years old and passed away later on.

In his initial year at a drama institute, Essiedu sadly lost his mother to breast cancer. This tragic event was hard for him to accept initially. Apart from undergoing counseling, he admitted that dealing with the pain of loss enhanced his portrayal of Hamlet.

In simpler terms, “He explained to The Times that when faced with pain, such as grief, there’s an instinctive urge to eliminate it. However, painful as grief may be, attempting to erase it could invalidate the existence of the person you are mourning. Instead, prolonged grief serves as a means to keep those we have lost alive in our hearts.

His 100-minute solo performance was harder than Hamlet

Despite all the chatter about Hamlet, you might think it was his most demanding part. Yet, another role that’s significantly harder to handle (even more complex than Shakespeare’s works) is the 100-minute monologue for the West End one-man play, Death of England: Delroy.

Let’s understand this better, that duration is equivalent to watching the full length of the film “Reservoir Dogs,” a movie I happened to recall.

Beyond merely its length, the play is exceptionally challenging due to its intense, deeply personal narrative. The story revolves around a Black working-class individual’s quest for truth while navigating his connection with the UK. This powerful, unyielding tale requires the performer to shoulder each emotional surge, mood transition, and gut-wrenching moment singlehandedly.

In an impressive display, Essiedu surpassed expectations, receiving widespread praise for his role as Delroy. If his performance doesn’t convince you of his suitability for the part of Snape, I’m at a loss for what else could.

Essiedu is married to actress and comedian Rosa Robson

Indeed, it’s worth noting that this discussion veers away from Harry Potter and the impressive talent of Essiedu, but here’s an interesting tidbit: Essiedu has been in a long-term relationship with actress and comedian Rosa Robson for more than eight years, and they are now married.

Much like certain famous pairs, they tend to maintain a somewhat low-key romance, showing up together at gatherings such as the BAFTAs from time to time. Despite little information being available about their nuptials, the longevity of their partnership serves as proof of their deep connection.

Over time, Robson has made appearances in various TV series and films, such as Buffering, Inside Number 9, and The Outlaws.

He starred alongside Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun

In the 2024 film “The Outrun”, Essiedu starred alongside the Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan. His character, Daynin, was previously in a relationship with Rona, a woman struggling with addiction and her journey towards recovery.

In the realm of gaming, I’ve just stumbled upon a movie adaptation from Amy Liptrot’s 2016 memoir, which premiered at Sundance 2024. It garnered a wave of positive responses and even scooped a few awards in various film festivals. The performance by Essiedu, in my opinion, added layers to the storyline, showcasing yet another facet of his impressive emotional range.

Snape may spark an interesting playlist

During an interview with The Cut, Essiedu shared that he creates playlists tailored for each character or production he’s involved in.

Despite being primarily associated with his on-stage performances, one can envision him creating a melancholic, somber playlist to delve into Severus Snape’s psyche – a collection that complements the atmosphere of nocturnal potion lessons and lingering emotional turmoil.

Due to Essiedu’s careful character development, you might find an eclectic mix of songs – from the lesser-known tracks by Radiohead to spine-tingling classical pieces. As for whether “Bittersweet Symphony” will make an appearance, while I can’t confirm it, let’s just say it’s not out of the question either.

Paapa Essiedu’s first acting gig was in an underrated (but canceled) TV show

Absolutely, prior to his roles in “I May Destroy You,” “Men,” and “Gangs of London,” Essiedu had already made an appearance on an episode of the British series “Utopia.” I highly recommend watching it if you haven’t yet.

Ahead of its times and visually captivating, this suspenseful TV series revolves around a puzzling cult comic book and a clandestine group called The Network, exploring a chilling political intrigue that eerily mirrors contemporary problems.

Restating the idea more casually: When they abruptly ended the show following an incredible cliffhanger, people started talking more about how it might have been too close to reality. This added to its legend and made it a memorable part of television history.

Essiedu might have had a small part initially, but it’s remarkable to think of this as his debut professional acting experience – and an important lesson that even actors destined for significant roles like future Snapes must begin their journey somewhere.

In the meantime before we get more news on the Harry Potter series, explore how to stream the films, delve into the rumors surrounding Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and familiarize yourself with Luke Thallon, a newcomer. Additionally, you might want to take a look at the fresh TV shows being released this month.

2025-04-15 18:21