J.K. Rowling has broken her silence after the new Snape actor in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, Paapa Essiedu, signed a petition supporting transgender rights in the UK. 70K Followers, 1,106 Following, 110 Posts - Paapa Essiedu (@pessiedu) on Instagram: "🍉🍉🍉" While studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he met and worked with actress and director Michaela Coel. While he was studying at drama school, his mother died of breast cancer. Warner Bros announces Black actor Paapa Essiedu as Serverus Snape, fans call it ‘worst race swap in modern history’ Fans are voicing their unhappiness with the casting in the Harry Potter television series, with many taking issue with the choice for Severus Snape.