A ‘Black Snape’ in the new Harry Potter seems designed to cause controversy – but it could work | Jason Okundaye

HBO has announced part of the cast of the latest round of Harry Potter IP -mining.

The new TV adaptation of the original books will feature John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Paapa Essiedu as Snape .

The Mail and Telegraph have been quick to inform their readers, yes, this means a “Black actor” in that iconic role.

Behind the furore is a larger issue about the kind of restrictions that are placed on the careers of Black actors and other creatives.

Perhaps Essiedu being too Black’ for the role will mean some people give the TV series a miss.

That’s fine, they can just wait for the next IP round.